Quote Originally Posted by redrhodie View Post
I recently read the riot act to a big rig driver who didn't give me enough room when passing (he nearly ran me off the road). I caught up to him at a stop sign and by the end of our conversation, he was apologizing profusely. So, it can work with truckers, too. I also felt better, like he would be more careful passing other bikes from now on, if for no other reason than to avoid the likes of me.

If you need to do this, use appropriate language (no name calling), and don't lose your cool. Like Indy did, keep it civilized. If you're isolated, if the person looks sketchy, let it go. Although I was really angry, I was able to stay reasonable and explain why his passing was dangerous and illegal, and the best option when passing a bike is to wait until it is safe.
Like you said, it's so important to communicate in a civilized manner. I live in a small town with a lot of farm land surrounding. I ride my bike. I treat a lot of the farmers. When they come in complaining about cyclists on the road and that the roads are too narrow for them to get past (a lot of our roads are twisty with limited visibility but traffic isn't heavy). I ask them two things,what is the longest time they have ever been stuck behind a cyclist before they could pass and do they get just as frustrated when they get stuck behind a tractor on the road. It seems to make a lot of them realize that they are letting themselves get wound up over seconds of delay and that it really is a matter of perspective.