Is it Considered Rude to Honk at Somebody in MN? (live, safety)

[AGuyFromCleveland18]

I was sitting at an intersection and the light changed to green, and the person in front didn't go. I was about four cars back, and nobody was doing anything, so after about 7 or 8 seconds I honked, but my friend who was in the car with me and a MN native said that you don't do that in Minnesota. Is that true? And if it is, then what do you do when that type of situation happens? Just sit there and wait for the light to turn red?

[demtion35]

I think it really depends on how long the car in front is sitting there, but not honk if its not in an instant the light changes, but after maybe a short time, like reasonable at least. Many times I do think honking is unneeded and over rated, but really it depends on the situations, Im a slow driver, and sometimes I do get honked at, but mostly I do think its not really needed, Im not really in that big of a hurry, but do not like to sit through another light cycle if possible.

[golfgal]

A friendly tap after that long is ok, a blast on the horn, no, not ok here. That was the first thing we noticed when we were in Washington, DC, the SECOND the light turned at EVERY intersection, someone was honking.

To the lady behind me today, I'm sorry you can't read the no turn on red sign....

[Kebinminn]

I give a a quick double tap on the horn if they don't go at a light. I do give them a moment most of the time though.

[Kamsack]

I have used the horn for safety....in case I feel someone is ready to pull out of driveway or intersection and didnt see me. As for waiting at red light....I keep quiet and play nice. If I was at the red light, and someone behind me honked right away I would consider it rude.

[northstar22]

Honking your horn is extremely rude in most situations. As DanEGF said, honking is fine to alert another driver who is ready to pull out in front of you or merge into you. It's also fine to give a quick honk if a driver keeps sitting at a red light (for at least 5 seconds after it turns green). Using your horn because someone is driving too slow is like giving him/her the middle finger.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I feel the horn was designed for situations like these. Nobody should take offense for a quick tap of the horn to wake up sleepy McGee at the wheel at the front of the line. The horn is grossly underused in Minnesota in my opinion. People out east have a much better grasp of the concept and aren't afraid to use it when needed, unlike like us conflict avoidant Minnesotans.

[ILoveBangkok]

Yes, very.

[Cleverbeetle98]

Ugh. Who cares if MN natives think it's rude? Use the horn if you need it - in the grand scheme of life, they'll get over it and probably won't even remember they were honked at by the time they get home.

As someone said, honking at someone just because they are driving slow - probably not necessary (unless they are causing problems or going grossly under the speed limit). However, I have used it when people wait at the light too long. Usually I can tell they are playing on their phone and wouldn't otherwise notice the light change. I also use the horn in defense to alert another driver that they are coming into my lane, don't see me in a parking lot, ect.

Minnesotans are just too damn passive aggressive to use their horns and in turn get angry/upset/offended when people use theirs.

[chilaili]

People just don't use their horn in MN. I don't know why - it's there for a reason - but you will get shocked looks when you use yours. I used mine all the time when I lived there, mostly for people asleep at a green light, failing to signal or cutting me off. Great fun!