“TO HONK OR NOT TO HONK”

 “TO HONK OR NOT TO HONK”

We can’t but communicate all the time as long as we are alive and kicking. They say, when we don’t want to communicate, we still communicate through our non - verbal silence. Communication is essential in every walk of life even while we are driving on the road. Very often I used to really admire the way we all communicate non verbally through our honking on the road. Have you ever given a thought about ‘honks’ as your extended voice and mind?

Every driver has honked their horn at some point. It is a form of non-verbal communication that allows drivers to express their emotions, convey messages, and even warn others of potential danger.

At its core, honking is a simple act that involves pressing the horn button whether on the steering wheel or in your handle bar. However, the way people use it, is diverse and complex. Honking can be used for various reasons,

including signaling to other drivers to move,

indicating the start or end of a traffic jam,

alerting other drivers of potential danger,

expressing frustration or anger towards other drivers.

It can also be used to say thank you, communicate with pedestrians, or warn cyclists.

For example, I have seen people giving a quick honk which actually is the translation of human greeting HELLO to greet a friend or family member that they see while driving.

Very often I noticed honks, which mean BE CAREFUL in human words, are used to alert a person who is about to change lanes that there is another vehicle in their blind spot.

If a driver wants to turn left but can't because of oncoming traffic, they may honk (CAN’T YOU SEE ME WAITING? LET ME TURN LEFT) to let the oncoming driver know that they are waiting.

If a driver is stuck in traffic, they may honk (DUDE MOVE ON) to signal to others that the traffic has started moving again.

 On the other hand, a longer honk can be used to express frustration or anger, which in human words would sound GET LOST PSYCHO, REALLY?, ‘B’s and ‘F”s too sometimes. This longer honk is a way to express our emotions without having to roll down our windows and engage in a verbal argument.

If a driver is tailgating, cutting in line or driving too slowly,

other drivers may honk (WHAT THE ****?) to express their annoyance.

In contrast, honking can also be used to express gratitude or appreciation towards other drivers.

If a driver stops to let another driver merge or gives way, the other driver may honk to say “THANK YOU” “I APPRECIATE IT”.

In some cultures, honking has different meanings. In India, for example, honking is used more frequently and can mean anything from "I'm coming through", "curse you", to "Thank you".

In conclusion, honking is a crucial component of human communication, especially when it comes to driving on the roads. Whether it's a friendly tap to say hello or a prolonged honk to express frustration, honking is an essential part of road etiquette that drivers use to interact with other motorists. As such, it is important for ALL OF US to use honking responsibly and appropriately to ensure the safety and well-being of all road users.

"Honk if you love peace and quiet."