Random Question...is this tradition just regional?

[steph72276]

So I just came back from an appointment. On my way home, there was a funeral procession going by on the opposite side of the road (4 lane total). I grew up in Georgia and every time a funeral procession goes by, people pull off to the side of the road as a sign of respect. In fact, I will never forget that when my grandfather passed away, as our procession went by, several of the older gentlemen not only pulled over, but got out of their cars and removed their hats as a sign of respect. So now I live in FL, and I was stopped b/c I wanted to show respect, but instead I only got honked at and almost ran over from rude people. I was thinking "are people so wrapped up in their own lives that they can't take 2 minutes to honor the dead?" But then I thought maybe it is just something no one does and never has done here. So that is the question, is it just a regional thing to do this? I know FL is in the South regionally, but culturally it is a world away--when I go back to GA I have to get used to everybody opening the door for me, letting women have a seat first, neighbors waving to everyone, etc because things like that are just not normally done here.

 

[dragonfly411]

FL Steph - I grew up in Florida, and am very traditional southern. I ALWAYS pull over as a sign of respect. Also when we have military members from our home town pass away, usually there is a city wide procession, and most of the people go outside and stand outside as they go by to pay respects. My family is very much the same way, always pulling over, and we always give them the right of way.

 

[gemgirl]

People usually don't stop for funeral processions here in New York. In fact some work their cars into a funeral procession which I always thought was very rude and disrespectful. You'll pretty much never see anyone get out of their car and take their hat off as a procession passes.

 

[steph72276]

Thanks guys. Dragonfly, did you grow up in a small town--I did. Maybe it's more of a small town tradition instead of regional?

 

[dragonfly411]

FL-Steph - I grew up in the home of the Gators. I wouldn't call us small... but I wouldn't call us big by any means either. I can't speak for non-local students, but many of the people who are raised here are very traditional.

 

[Haven]

Here in Illinois people don't often pull over. You are supposed to allow a funeral procession to go by without pulling into the middle of it, and if the procession is crossing an intersection you are supposed to allow the entire procession to cross even if the late changes during the process.

Sad to say, people don't always do those things, and I've been honked at many times, and cut off twice, while part of a funeral procession.

 

[Octavia]

Here in Illinois people don't often pull over. You are supposed to allow a funeral procession to go by without pulling into the middle of it, and if the procession is crossing an intersection you are supposed to allow the entire procession to cross even if the late changes during the process.

Sad to say, people don't always do those things, and I've been honked at many times, and cut off twice, while part of a funeral procession.

Same thing where I grew up. I don't think I've ever seen a funeral procession where I live now, so I have no idea how people behave here...but I'd lay money on it being the same as what Haven recently experienced, with rude people honking and cutting people off.

 

[MissMina]

I am in a largish city in South Carolina and the tradition of pulling over for a funeral
is alive and well.
No one would even think of "cutting in". Maybe because police always accompany the procession.
And it's the law.

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess117_200 ... lls/48.htm

"A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars or by a term of imprisonment not exceeding thirty days."

 

[Jennifer W]

We don't pull over here, but most people would treat it with courtesy - ie don't cut into it, don't overtake it etc. When my MIL passed away, her funeral was in the south of England. We were overtaken by about a dozen drivers, a couple of cars cut in and (this was my personal favourite) we were made to stop at a pedestrian crossing (operated by pressing a button to ask cars to stop). Twice.

I wonder, perhaps people don't realise what they're passing / cutting into / stopping sometimes until it's too late? A lack of awareness or uncertainty about how to behave correctly rather than deliberate rudeness, maybe.

Jen

 

[Kaleigh]

I live outside of Philly. People do NOT pull over, I think that's awful.

 

[Aryana]

I grew up in rural Indiana and people always pull over for a funeral procession. However when I lived in the Chicago suburbs I rarely saw anyone pull over for a procession. I think it might have something to do with how big the road is (2 lane road vs. 4 lane divided highway). No matter, I like the respect shown by pulling over and I always do so.

 

[MonkeyPie]

I don't think I have ever seen anyone pull over for a funeral procession here, but I have also only seen a procession twice - and both times close enough to the graveyard that no one needed to hurry out of the way or anything.

 

[Mara]

No people do not pull over here in CA... there is usually a 'funeral line' of cars, they put their headlights on so that is how you know...and usually you just kind of stay out of their way whenever possible but sometimes people end up having to cut over to get to a left turn or something since no one is stopped so the flow of traffic is always moving.

 

[packrat]

We pull over in Iowa. Well, I was taught to and the POLITE people do. I get ticked when I see people not pull over-like that 2 minutes of waiting and showing respect for grieving people is really going to bog down a person's day or something. It's rude. The processional has their headlights on too..but in bad weather or w/newer cars that turn on automatically and then a lag behind vehicle, I've ended up between the last couple cars before on accident. And I've had cars follow me, thinking I was a lag behind in the processional. In town, the cops come and direct traffic.

 

[vespergirl]

It must be a regional tradition for more rural areas. I have always lived in urban/suburban areas, in NY, MA, FL & DC metro, and I've never seen people pull over for a funeral procession.

 

[AprilBaby]

Also in Illinois. I never heard of pulling over for a funeral procession, just letting them pass thru a red light or stop sign.

 

[zoebartlett]

I'm in New England, and I haven't seen people pull over to the side of the road when a funeral procession goes by. If I see one passing me I do turn off the radio until the line goes by, and I do this out of respect. It's usually easy to tell when one is going by because everyone's headlights are turned on. I would pull over if it looks like I'll be in the way of the procession, or if it would help the procession stay together, but that hasn't happened yet.

 

[stepcutgirl]

I too am in Florida and grew up here pulling over for funerals. It was not even a thought to not. However as a now adult I don't see it anymore. I like you will pull over but I usually get honked at. It's very disrespectful here not to pull over. You just have to keep in mind most people from here aren't from here, and I do think its regional.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

I was born and raised in Maryland, and we ALWAYS pull over. Also, as Dragonfly mentioned, when a service member is killed in action and there's a military funeral driving through town, people often come out and line the streets to show their respect.

 

[steph72276]

Definitely interesting to hear the wide range of answers from its never done or always done. Makes it difficult to know what to do when you come from a place where most people grew up in different states and followed different protocols.

 

[Autumnovember]

I think pulling over is something that is incredibly respectful to do, although we do not (at least I haven't seen it done) here in Philly. I would never think to beep at someone who chose to stop! Thats so rude! Whenever I see a procession coming or I'm behind them...I go into the other lane. I've never seen a procession take up 4 lanes but if I did I more than likely would pull over. Also, we have had a lot of fallen officers in Philadelphia and whenever one of their processions was coming through the entire road was closed and people came and stood on the sides.

Edit: adding more

 

[bee*]

We don't pull over to the side over here but most people make the bless themselves when the hearse goes by.

 

[Loves Vintage]

I am from CT and have not heard of pulling over until today. It does sound like a very nice tradition, though.

 

[MustangGal]

I grew up in SoCal, and the funerals I've been at didn't even have a procession. I've never driven past one to know if people pulled over or not.

 

[cellentani]

I grew up in the same city as dragonfly - it was 20 years earlier, but my impressions are the same. Here in the DC/N VA area, many funeral processions have police escorts, so you're really obligated to stop. I think it's almost necessary, because people here are hard-pressed to yield even to an ambulance!

 

[dragonfly411]

cella - hug! A swamp buddy!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Thanks guys. Dragonfly, did you grow up in a small town--I did. Maybe it's more of a small town tradition instead of regional?

yeah,i think so.for our dad's funeral we hired three off duty police officer on motocycycles as escorts.their job was to stop traffics at every signal lights on route to the cemetery.

 

[ilovethiswebsite]

I live in Canada - never seen anyone pull over (in Montreal or Toronto) unless it was military.

 

[kenny]

I'm in Southern California and I've never even heard of the other side of traffic pulling over.

I wouldn't call people rude just because they have never even heard of something that is your expectation or a tradition in some other location.
People are not psychic about your expectations.

Expectations are tricky things.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do, or don't do.
Oh and since women (at least in California) are no longer considered inferior or weak I do not open doors for them.
They may see it an a sexist insult.

I DO open doors for, and offer my seat to, anyone who looks like they'd appreciate the help, male or female, young or old.

 

[hlmr]

I grew up in Nova Scotia (Canada). People always pulled over in both small towns and medium sized cities.

eta: That was many years ago, but it still seems to be the norm, when I go back to visit.