I don't know whether you have noticed that there is an increasing tendency for drivers to thank one another for letting them in or waiting behind parked cars for you to pass. It used to be that if you were allowed out of a junction you simply waved to say thanks.
Then the hazard warning lights got switched on in a similar way to the bus-drivers. All highly acceptable behaviour of course. It is nice to be thanked.
Lately, however, I seem to find that I, along with many other motorists, am raising a hand to acknowledge the thanker. He or she thanks me and then I automatically wave back as if to say, that's perfectly OK, you are welcome. Sometimes, if I have another driver up front with me, even he gets involved, so there are as many as three sets of thanks going on simultaneously!
The other day, I went shopping at my local M & S. Spaces are like gold dust. So when a gentleman pointed out a space to me I waved in gratitude. Having parked up, I thought it might be a nice gesture to speak to him in person to thank him properly.
I took note of how he was dressed. Shirt and tie. Light zipped shorty coat, black trousers. Grey hair, glasses.
Entering the shop I was certain I would be easily able to spot him. But ALL the men in the food shop had grey hair and glasses. They were all wearing a shirt and tie except me. And almost all had a light zipped coat. Not just a grey elderly man, but an M & S grey elderly man.