#I'm specifically talking about merging onto the freeway

[meatballlady]

Don't slow down to "let" someone merge! They are in charge of entering the space, they are going slower than you even though they're in front of you, and the only thing slowing down will accomplish is causing traffic. Also, if they were planning to get behind you (to be considerate to you instead 🙄), they might just slow down too and get behind you anyway.

Furthermore, the rules of the road are there because we can't communicate to other drivers. Slowing down isn't "being considerate" it's "breaking the rules of the road and causing traffic so you can feel better about yourself". It costs nothing to thank a service worker or to say "hey why don't you go ahead of me in line, I have more things anyway." It causes traffic and trains people to be more aggressive when you slow down and give them space they don't expect.

Offer to let other people go ahead of you in line, especially if you're approaching the line at the same time. This is double applicable if you're in a store and the other person has fewer items than you.

This is a small gesture of kindness that in most cases will cost you very little time or effort. It shows consideration for other people's time. Especially in the case of being in a store and letting someone with fewer items than you go first, there is no sense in making someone else wait for you who would otherwise be able to get in and out much quicker.