Waving

Something that may be unique to southern Ohio. On country two lane roads, when two drivers are going in opposite directions and holding on to the steering wheel with both hands, They both raise a single finger (the index finger, not the one next to it) as they pass each other. No eye contact involved. On such a drive, I told my boss about it and he didn't believe me. So he tried it, and sure enough, everyone returned the gesture. He giggled like a 3rd grader for the entire trip.

Muddydogs wrote:
Just don't understand the wave and why people worry about it just because you are in an RV or on a motorcycle. Do you drive around town waving at everyone you pass on the road, probably not so why wave at someone just because they are pulling a trailer or riding a motor bike? Makes no sense to me. The small town I grew up in we waved at everyone we passed on the road but once I moved to bigger and better places I found most don't wave.

It's not a big deal, but if you don't get it without an explanation, you won't get it at all.

Its NO BIG deal either way whether you wave or not. Some of us have enough confidence in our ability to drive that it's in no way a safety issue as some seem so adamant about . These are the ones who have a cheeseburger in one hand ans a cell phone in the other, God forbid they look away from the cell phone to glance at another vehicle coming straight at you.

I don't know who came up with the notion about waving across the "interstates" where you have a medium in between...what's the point in that. My waving is confined to a two lane rural road(one lane of traffic in each direction)....as I said, you can practically reach out and touch one another on such roads. The way some are thinking here is your standing up in the driver's seat frantically jumping up and down waving to get the other driver's attention where in reality, I simply raise my left arm momentarily glance at the other driver and continue down the road.... been driving a long time and have yet to be distracted enough for it to be an issue.

So, in retrospect, to wave or not to wave, that is the question? Do what makes you feel comfy!!! :B

Just don't understand the wave and why people worry about it just because you are in an RV or on a motorcycle. Do you drive around town waving at everyone you pass on the road, probably not so why wave at someone just because they are pulling a trailer or riding a motor bike? Makes no sense to me. The small town I grew up in we waved at everyone we passed on the road but once I moved to bigger and better places I found most don't wave.

Islandman wrote:
When driving our Jeep Wrangler toad, I note that many Jeepers wave and I wave back. Only those driving Wranglers are part of the brotherhood (sisterhood), the other Jeep models don't share our enthusiasm or whatever. I also wave when it's possible when driving our Class C, and as others have noted, only about half return your greeting, usually the Class B and C drivers.

Does that mean the FMC folks ignore you?

You should attend one of their rallies and make new friends!

They will happily "wave" you towards the nearest exit, ROTFL..:W

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I think waving is required when you own a Jeep.

I don't wave when towing basically because no one is looking to be able to see it. As I drive my eyes are always moving front, sides, mirrors etc. I generally only have one hand on the wheel, just habit.

When we travel we see every other camper and usually yell out, an Outback, a Jayco, a big rolling turd, whatever it is. I always look over to check it out. When someone is passing me I also say here comes a whatever it is. When they pass I always check out the tow vehicle, the trailer and the hitch if I can. Every time, no matter which direction, the people in the other vehicle are eyes forward, holding onto the wheel and not enjoying the ride. For me, the ride is one of the best parts of the adventure.

If you wave, I will wave back as I will see you.

chefdc1 wrote:
I started RVing with my family way back in 1974. So much fun for a 13 year old. Back then, when you saw another RV on the road, you waved and they waved back. A nice, friendly greeting. My family just finished a 900 mile trip. We waved at everyone and didn't get a single wave in return. What happened? I'm going to keep waving. Time to bring this tradition back!

When you were 13, *you* had time to wave!..:W

I started "official" RVing in 1971 as a 27 year old.
"Official" - as that was my first self-contained RV.
Before that it was tents, vans, etc.

At the same time I had both dirt and street motorcycles, when motorcycles were mostly either Brit or Harley.

I recall exchanging waves with fellow MC riders.

Had a friend who owned an MG. The "early" sports car folks usually exchanged waves. Spent time in his cars - as we were single and out trying to drum up "something".
Maybe it was due to the relatively few sports cars?
Same guy later had (several) Corvettes in the mid 60s. No waves anymore.

Back to the first RV in 1971.
Maybe I was concentrating on the road, distracted by the DW, or kid #1..... but I was too busy to watch other RVs for waves.

Since I had every 3rd week off, and kid wasn't in school yet - I got in a lot of "road" time - which originated in So.CA.
*Thousands* of cars, trucks, and a smattering of RVs at "launch central".
Can't imagine waving at other RVs on some of the busiest freeways in the nation - which, or course would be RVs going the same direction.

Once out of the congested area/s, I often headed to the local mountains - with winding roads requiring concentration and both hands on the wheel. Yeah - when you used a turn-out to let traffic pass on two-lane roads, 'thank-you' waves and honks were the norm. Inconsiderate folks got a "wave" also, LOL!

Some MC riders still wave, but it's usually "brand specific".
Harley folks usually ignore the rice burner, crotch rocket crowd - and vice versa.

In later years, CB "exchanges" were common (no cell phones then).....until too many foul-mouthed folks with high wattage linears dominated the airwaves.

But I'll try to watch for *friendly* waves, and return *all* "salutes" in kind..:B

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Back in the early 70's when I started riding motorcycles on the street the standard wave was a fist in the air - I guess is was a take off on the "power to the people" thing going on back then. Over the years it's just become an acknowledgement of other riders. Some do the fist and first finger pointed to the ground, but most of us just give some indication that we noticed the other rider. When riding two-up it's the passenger's job to do the waving.

I also drive a Jeep Wrangler and there's also a wave acknowledgment between Wrangler drivers. This even happens in the city. Makes me wonder though how many of them have ever put their Wranglers into 4-wheel drive.

Some RVers do wave back, but most don't. However it's kind of a way to stay alert and observant. You notice another RVer and you give 'em a wave. I generally wave at RVers when I'm not driving in a city.

Waving to other vehicles was an old country tradition. Growing up in the sticks everyone always waved. There weren't any strangers, only neighbors you hadn't met yet. This still seems to be the case when you get out away from the larger communities. The further you get into the sticks, the more people will wave regardless of what they drive or what you happen to be driving.

When driving our Jeep Wrangler toad, I note that many Jeepers wave and I wave back. Only those driving Wranglers are part of the brotherhood (sisterhood), the other Jeep models don't share our enthusiasm or whatever. I also wave when it's possible when driving our Class C, and as others have noted, only about half return your greeting, usually the Class B and C drivers.

rjxj wrote:
They wave wherever I go. I noticed that it's sort of a different wave as they usually have their middle finger up.

Part of the new generation spiral downward. :(