One long hold — aggressive A gentle “beep beep”, seems more friendly. At least, to me, and I hope that’s how it’s perceived.
I do the beep beep at red-turn green lights, but try to wait a little. It’s midly annoying if a driver doesn’t react quick enough but driving is a frustrating enough experience as it is. No need to add fuel to the fire, so to speak. I’ve been beeped at the moment the lights turned green, and at the time, my foot was already pressing the gas. I felt embarrassed… my car does not react that quickly!
I’m an immigrant in the U.S. When my accent gives me away, I’m often asked where I’m from, which somehow leads to the discovery that the other person is also Irish. Or Scottish. Usually Irish.
I’m not offended so much as confused. “I am Irish” carries an expectation of shared culture and experience. When that’s clearly not what’s being offered, it lands less as connection and more hollow. Offense arises when clichés or affected accents appear. That’s no longer about identity; it’s just being an eejit.