Discussion
Driving home last night from a friend's birthday party as the designated driver, my girlfriend said that she gets uncomfortable because she cannot feel when I come off the accelerator and onto the brake (and vice versa), until the goal of braking or accelerating - to a certain degree has been acheived. Therefore, she can not tell that we are braking for bends. She said, with reference to a set of double bends, "But when I look at the speedo, you're going no faster than I would, so I don't know why I feel nervous!"
I said that it's a result of smoothness, to which she replied "I don't like it!" She's not the best of passengers, telling me that people are braking when I can see the situation/hazard they are braking for develop well ahead of time and planned for it.
So, my question is can you be too smooth? Anybody else had this issue raised?
Cheers,
Andy
edited for terminology
I said that it's a result of smoothness, to which she replied "I don't like it!" She's not the best of passengers, telling me that people are braking when I can see the situation/hazard they are braking for develop well ahead of time and planned for it.
So, my question is can you be too smooth? Anybody else had this issue raised?
Cheers,
Andy
edited for terminology
Edited by LaSarthe+Back on Saturday 26th January 20:51
LaSarthe+Back said:
Driving home last night from a friend's birthday party as the designated driver, my girlfriend said that she gets uncomfortable because she cannot feel when I come off the accelerator and onto the brake (and vice versa), until the goal of braking or accelerating - to a certain degree has been acheived. Therefore, she can not tell that we are braking for bends. She said, with reference to a set of double bends, "But when I look at the speedo, you're going no faster than I would, so I don't know why I feel nervous!"
I said that it's a result of smoothness, to which she replied "I don't like it!" She's not the best of passengers, telling me that people are braking when I can see the situation/hazard they are braking for develop well ahead of time and planned for it.
So, my question is can you be too smooth? Anybody else had this issue raised?
Cheers,
Andy
edited for terminology
What a good thread to start.I said that it's a result of smoothness, to which she replied "I don't like it!" She's not the best of passengers, telling me that people are braking when I can see the situation/hazard they are braking for develop well ahead of time and planned for it.
So, my question is can you be too smooth? Anybody else had this issue raised?
Cheers,
Andy
edited for terminology
Edited by LaSarthe+Back on Saturday 26th January 20:51
I have, for a while, been thinking along similar lines with reference to how most seem to drive.
No, you cannot be too smooth.
I suspect though and this is what I have been thinking about, that most drivers "need" the feel of braking and acceleration.
Somehow that means that they feel they are driving and in control.
Smooth, flowing progress is so out of the experience of most.
They are not taught it in "basic" training and so few go on to further training that would impart it.
Maybe perhaps what she is 'seeing' with her eyes doesn't relate to what her body is 'feeling' due to the smoothness of the ride.
Virgin trialed a tilting train in the UK in the mid 90s I believe. It was built so well that people were feeling rather sick riding it because as far as their mind was concerned what they were SEEING didn't relate to what they were FEELING.
So, do a few handbrake turns and real aggressive acceleration/braking to spice things up a bit. She'll still feel bad and may chuck up, but at least you tried.
Virgin trialed a tilting train in the UK in the mid 90s I believe. It was built so well that people were feeling rather sick riding it because as far as their mind was concerned what they were SEEING didn't relate to what they were FEELING.
So, do a few handbrake turns and real aggressive acceleration/braking to spice things up a bit. She'll still feel bad and may chuck up, but at least you tried.
Thanks for the comments everyone. I told her she'd just have to get used to it! Perhaps even if she'd like to join up!
I saw your name as the last post and thought you might have a constructive point!
Thanks for making me laugh!
7db said:
Perhaps it's her way of telling you that she fancies a bit of rough?
I saw your name as the last post and thought you might have a constructive point!
Thanks for making me laugh!
andyj2 said:
I get exactly the same comments from my gf..... including the "they're braking up ahead".... yes I know dear, that's why I've taken my foot off the accelerator, and I'm covering the brake should I need to use it !!!
Reminds me of something that happened when giving a lift to my ex, and her mum and sister (mum and sister are nervous passengers).The car in front was braking to turn right so I backed off and started to brake. At which point both mum and daughter paniced and screamed 'STOP' so loud that I nearly shat my pants and pulled an emergency stop. Luckily there was no one behind me.
'What is it?' I enquired a little flustered...
'He was turning right'
'I know'
'Oh, sorry...'
I did give them a lift again and they were much better behaved
Oh, and someone said to me once that my gearchanges weren't smooth. 'You can hear the engine revving' they said. That'll be the throttle blip then...
I'd look to give a passenger a ride style that they were expecting. Or if they had no expectations then a really smooth ride.
It seems no great hardship to me if your passenger wants you to be a bit less smooth. Just brake/accelerate a bit harder to keep them happy.
Super smooth can be a bit boring sometimes
It seems no great hardship to me if your passenger wants you to be a bit less smooth. Just brake/accelerate a bit harder to keep them happy.
Super smooth can be a bit boring sometimes
This would be a good opportunity to put your commentary skills to good use, or to brush them up if they're in need of honing.
If you commentate about what you're seeing, the risk it poses and how you propose to deal with it (and perhaps your contingency plan if things get worse) then your girlfriend will be able to see that you're completely in control of the driving process and will lose her fears.
I have seen this approach work very successfully on many occasions.
regards
Nick
If you commentate about what you're seeing, the risk it poses and how you propose to deal with it (and perhaps your contingency plan if things get worse) then your girlfriend will be able to see that you're completely in control of the driving process and will lose her fears.
I have seen this approach work very successfully on many occasions.
regards
Nick
Edited by 944Nick on Monday 28th January 16:42
hardboiledPhil said:
I'd look to give a passenger a ride style that they were expecting. Or if they had no expectations then a really smooth ride.
It seems no great hardship to me if your passenger wants you to be a bit less smooth. Just brake/accelerate a bit harder to keep them happy.
Super smooth can be a bit boring sometimes
Over the 47 years that Mrs TripleS has been my principal passenger - in which we've covered a great many miles together - she assures me she has hardly ever felt anxious about my driving. To be honest I think have been some occasions when she ought to have been, but that's another matter!It seems no great hardship to me if your passenger wants you to be a bit less smooth. Just brake/accelerate a bit harder to keep them happy.
Super smooth can be a bit boring sometimes
Strangely enough I've now started to receive more criticism from her, and this seems to have emerged this past couple of years, i.e. since I started hanging out with some of these advanced driving dudes, but that's OK; it simply means it's their fault, nothing to do with me.
Apparently my driving is now somewhat boring, and I can only assume this is because I now seldom indulge in the sort of 'clog and anchor' style which livened up our Jaguar days. On the other hand she complains about me being 'erratic' as she puts it, which presumably relates to my new policy of tootling very leisurely through built up areas, and applying some boot when we pass the derestriction signs.
You just can't please some people.
944Nick said:
This would be a good opportunity to put your commentary skills to good use, or to brush them up if they're in need of honing.
If you commentate about what you're seeing, the risk it poses and how you propose to deal with it (and perhaps your contingency plan if things get worse) then your girlfriend will be able to see that you're completely in control of the driving process and will lose her fears.
I have seen this approach work very successfully on many occasions.
regards
Nick
Most normal people would think you barking mad, commentary is a little like stamp collecting, only impressive to other stamp collectors.If you commentate about what you're seeing, the risk it poses and how you propose to deal with it (and perhaps your contingency plan if things get worse) then your girlfriend will be able to see that you're completely in control of the driving process and will lose her fears.
I have seen this approach work very successfully on many occasions.
regards
Nick
Edited by 944Nick on Monday 28th January 16:42
Course your passengers will politely nod and smile.... cos they`re British.
crisisjez said:
944Nick said:
This would be a good opportunity to put your commentary skills to good use, or to brush them up if they're in need of honing.
If you commentate about what you're seeing, the risk it poses and how you propose to deal with it (and perhaps your contingency plan if things get worse) then your girlfriend will be able to see that you're completely in control of the driving process and will lose her fears.
I have seen this approach work very successfully on many occasions.
regards
Nick
Most normal people would think you barking mad, commentary is a little like stamp collecting, only impressive to other stamp collectors.If you commentate about what you're seeing, the risk it poses and how you propose to deal with it (and perhaps your contingency plan if things get worse) then your girlfriend will be able to see that you're completely in control of the driving process and will lose her fears.
I have seen this approach work very successfully on many occasions.
regards
Nick
Edited by 944Nick on Monday 28th January 16:42
Having a great deal of experience with nervous passengers they will only be listening to the tone of voice.
You would do just as well to engage them in a lovely chat about something they are interested in.
All you would do with commentary would be to heighten their awareness of each hazard as it is identified.
That wont relax them.
You would do just as well to engage them in a lovely chat about something they are interested in.
All you would do with commentary would be to heighten their awareness of each hazard as it is identified.
That wont relax them.
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