To beep or not to beep

Sir, – I am baffled though not surprised that so many of your correspondents respond to a beep with a middle finger (June 23rd). I have found the best response to a beep is a big smile and an enthusiastic wave as if spotting an old friend.

This usually defuses the situation, and hopefully causes the beeper to contemplate the futility of their action.

Or at the very least, it will really get under their skin without giving them the satisfaction of having provoked you. – Yours, etc,

BRIAN McARDLE,

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Downings, Co Donegal.

Sir, – Siobhaán Nií Chuanaigh (June 20th) asks what the appropriate response should be to an impatient motorist honking a car horn at her. I think her response was perfect – a letter to The Irish Times. – Yours, etc,

LOUIS McCARTHY,

Rathfarnham,

Dublin 16.