Comments on: how to reply when someone says quit speeding

Question: how to reply when someone says quit speeding

daveg02 — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:39:25 -0800

how to reply when someone says quit speeding, in a way that sounds friendly and funny?

By: brainmouse

brainmouse — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:40:54 -0800

"Oh, sorry about that", and then quit speeding?

By: weapons-grade pandemonium

weapons-grade pandemonium — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:43:15 -0800

Yeah. "Friendly and funny" is often a way of getting a serious point across without sounding offensive. They might be legitimately concerned for their safety.

By: elizardbits

elizardbits — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:43:21 -0800

Are you talking about exceeding the speed limit in a moving vehicle or something else?

By: koroshiya

koroshiya — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:44:21 -0800

"but... but... i have to stop the nuclear bomb that was planted by the aliens from outer space before it annihilates existence! the gps says it's 2 miles and then a left turn."

apologizing and stopping the action also works.

By: nanook

nanook — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:46:41 -0800

Oh man! You're harshing my mellow!

By: Help, I can't stop talking!

Help, I can't stop talking! — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:47:02 -0800

The "flirt" tag suggests that you're trying to woo someone in the vehicle you're driving. My guess would be that showing increased value for this person's safety by opting for a slower speed will be much more attractive than a witty quip followed by continued disregard for such a reasonable request.

By: Lyn Never

Lyn Never — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:47:16 -0800

Is this a passenger in your car asking you to drive legally?

By: The otter lady

The otter lady — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:50:45 -0800

"Baby, I was BUILT for SPEED!--- but Ok, for your sake, I'll take it slow."

By: jessamyn

jessamyn — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:51:39 -0800

[OP, it would be helpful if this were a more clear question otherwise people are just going to speculate on why you are asking. Other folks" just answer the question at this point, please?]

By: KokuRyu

KokuRyu — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:54:36 -0800

"Did I ever tell ya that this here jacket represents a symbol of my individuality, and my belief in personal freedom?"

By: Ivan Fyodorovich

Ivan Fyodorovich — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:02:54 -0800

It's hard to know how to answer your question unless you specify whether you want to contest the implied complaint, or accept it. In either case, something friendly and funny is better because, yeah, this kind of interaction is one that can be kind of confrontational.

So, accepting it: the otter lady's suggestion is good.

Contesting it: "I drive a few miles an hour over the limit because I really enjoy meeting police officers." And keep speeding a few mph over the limit.

If you're speeding more than that — you know, you're going quite a bit faster than prevailing traffic — then you ought to just consider acquiescing to the implied request. If a passenger truly doesn't feel safe, you really ought to take that seriously.

If it's just someone who's controlling and a backseat driver, then unless this is a singular or rare occurrence, you should just slow down and then have a conversation about this conflict later. A quip isn't going to solve it.

By: argonauta

argonauta — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:07:03 -0800

"I'll quit speeding when you quit being so gorgeous/fabulous/amazing/etc.!"

(then quit speeding anyway, because that will warm the heart of your flirt-target more than any words, and say something like "Whoa! Your powers of gorgeous/fabulous/amazing/etc.-ness defy space and time!")

By: Elly Vortex

Elly Vortex — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:09:09 -0800

If Brainmouses suggestion doesn't ring your bell, how about "but they are COMING, Mon frer! The documents must not fall into enemy hands!". Then start humming the French national anthem.

By: the young rope-rider

the young rope-rider — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:11:52 -0800

"Sorry, I just can't wait to get you home so we can do it, but you're definitely worth the wait" and then laugh at yourself for making a dorky joke and then slow down.

By: the young rope-rider

the young rope-rider — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:15:41 -0800

Oh and let me give you a flirting tip: the best flirtatious jokes are often the ones that build on your shared history, however small, and show that you're paying attention to the other person. For example, I once joked with a guy that I had gotten stabbed, and then when he saw me next he was like "hey, you're not stabbed!" Which isn't super funny in and of itself, but indicates that he was listening and remembered what I had said, so it was good flirting.

By: -harlequin-

-harlequin- — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:15:57 -0800

Use with extreme caution:

- Hey, all I can do is slow down the car [you slow down the car] - the speed my heart is racing... that's entirely on you!

- Whoah! You're right! Babe on board! I had the transmission set to "timebomb" instead of "bombshell"!

- I was racing you, but I guess I can slow down and let you win. [pause, confused glance] Oh, I see you slowed down too? You must like me!

By: Namlit

Namlit — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:25:41 -0800

"I like it shaken, not stirred, but okay then." Then slow down. (Speeding is pretty old-school, you know, so I guess that line will not ruin it for you any more at that point.)

By: facetious

facetious — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:26:09 -0800

"Hey, can you slow it down a little, you're about to give me a heart attack."
"That's what she said". Works every time.

By: Tell Me No Lies

Tell Me No Lies — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:10:34 -0800

"But I'm driving an X, people will get confused if I drive like a sane person."

"She [your car] gets all sulky when I drive her slow."

And of course you can always counter with the more generic Stephen Wright bit:

"Put on your seatbelt, I want to try something . . . Saw it in a cartoon once but I think I can do it."

By: spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints

spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:23:00 -0800

"It's the only way I'm motivated to do all this housework!"

By: corb

corb — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 23:42:55 -0800

Sometimes I get really annoyed and frustrated when people in my car complain about the speed I drive, especially in certain conditions. Sometimes it's my mother who likes to drive ten under the speed limit, sometimes it's others. Each time, I want to say, you're more than welcome to walk. But I don't. Some things I have said/done:

"But I'm on a mission from God." *started humming the Blues Brothers theme*
"You'll never catch me alive, copper!"
"Sssh. They're gaining on us.". **nota bene. Do not do this with someone with paranoia issues. Trust me.
Start singing the music to "the Ride of the Valkyrie"

And then, about five or ten minutes later, if and only if they are asking for a reasonable speed, you give it to them.

By: roboton666

roboton666 — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:42:39 -0800

Whiffing the feint of your post, I believe the best answer for you is to speed up and laugh maniacally.

By: EndsOfInvention

EndsOfInvention — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 02:52:52 -0800

If I'm asking someone to slow down their driving, it's not because I think they are unfriendly or I want to be amused. It's because I am feeling seriously uncomfortable with them driving so far over the speed limit. So in my opinion, this question is unanswerable (assuming when you say "quit speeding" you mean "stop exceeding the speed limit").

By: epanalepsis

epanalepsis — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:39:01 -0800

"Oh, I'm sorry, the speed limit is XX and I was going XX, is that not correct?"

Any friendly and amusing reply will only work if you are actually within safe and legal limits, otherwise you are being unreasonable and any other response than "I'm sorry, I'll slow down" is inappropriate.

OTH, if you ARE within safe and legal limits, then THEY are being unreasonable and your reply (of any kind) will be unlikely to amuse them.

By: anaelith

anaelith — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:11:33 -0800

Driving is like sex, tandem sky-diving, and so on--everyone involved needs to consent.

If someone says slow down, you say "OK" and then slow down. Even if this puts you under what you consider a reasonable speed. If you're on a highway and you feel that going so slowly would actually be unsafe, even in the slowest lane, then exit the highway and take surface streets to your destination.

Then next time they ask to ride with you, either plan on going slower or say that it won't be possible for you to give them a ride.

example