I too live in rural America, and unlike accents and idioms known only to the locals, “the wave” appears universal - at least between Pennsylvania and Colorado. And you must barely smile. It’s important to look cool, not like a Golden Retriever who just got its first dog biscuit.
Bahahaha!!!!! Here's another wave you won't find in any etiquette book. The bike wave. Yup. Bikers have a wave (pedal bikes not those hells angels...that's a whole different type of wave that includes guns).
I've been a biker most of my adult life and when I'm out on the road pedaling away and a on coming biker approaches from the other side of the road, I'm caught in this ping pong thought process "do I wave? or not? wave or not wave of not????
But let me back up.
There are two types of bikers.
The ones that wave and the ones that don't.
Me...I'm a waver. I'm friendly. I'm outside enjoying the day on my bike and a wave says so.
The non-waver is not friendly. They are serious bikers and out for training, they aren't enjoying the day, no this is serious stuff. They can't waste any energy on a wave. They might need it for the next hill...serious stuff.
But every single time I see a "serious" biker approaching.
You know the ones.
They're on one of those bikes that looks like they are on a rocket ship in full uniform.
I start thinking, what if this one is different,
what if this one is nice, what if this one is friendly.
THIS IS, BY FAR, MY FAVORITE COMMENT EVER. As soon as I saw this come in, I read it aloud to my friend who was standing in the kitchen, and we both agreed that this is 10,000% so true!!! I'm not even a serious biker and I have totally felt this pressure while biking on the occasional trail. There's a huge path outside of Philadelphia where serious bikers always are, and I'm always the little pipsqueak with my broad-ass smile. 😂
Hilarious!! I have also mastered this mini wave when drivers stop for me when I’m on my bicycle. When they don’t kill me at least they deserve an acknowledgment.
OMG - I just moved into rural America (MN) and can verify the veracity of this: the wave *must* happen, and correctly. I've discovered my husband, who grew up in the country, already naturally knew this when we were standing at the mouth of our drive and he waved at a passing truck. "Do we know him?" I asked. He looked at me oddly - nope, he didn't think so. Didn't matter. We apparently wave, because now we are going to live here and one day I may need sugar or a toilet or my dog returned and no one would apparently help me if I had missed this courtesy measure at ANY TIME in the past. Consider this previously suburban dweller educated.
I LOVE that he's from there and you are not—you'll be able to make so many fascinating observations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Baaahahahah! Please keep us posted, I need YOU to write a column on this now, lol.
Yup. In rural Norway, we're on the same "wavelength" so to speak. Subtle differences though. It's so cold people are rarely out on their porches or in their gardens but if they are, no need to wave at them (unless you're related to them and they happen to look up as you're passing). They're probably hunched over shoveling snow anyways. so that would be a wave wasted. But common curtesy is to wave (raise four fingers while keeping thumb rested on steering wheel) on rural slow roads when you meet people you know, or as a thank you even to people you don't know if they slow down to let you comfortably pass on a narrow road. The four finger wave is the beginner/intermediate level. Advanced level wavers sometimes go for the nonchalant "raised-index-finger-greeting".
I have no doubt you will master all the local waves, making friends along the way. I am thinking of another local tradition...the mudroom. I don't think the white carpet will survive without one. SPRING IS COMING!
GAH! There is a mudroom off the garage, but *not* off of the main entrance where everyone comes in, which is the kitchen, off the back. Have been contemplating!!!!! LOL
That was a joy to read during a sweaty and stressful day (I'm suddenly in hospital with a badly broken leg, two weeks in, four to go). Have you been on the London Tube? I bet you have. Definitely no waving there, either. Although I'd always be tempted to start the trend. The three seconds hold applies here in the English Midlands just the same. Not in Norfolk though. In Norfolk only one pointy finger comes off the steering wheel and you do the Nod. A fast unsmiling Nod. The nod is also the acceptable form of greeting on foot in that part of the world.( where I kind of grew up, and couldn't leave fast enough). Thank you for another entertaining read.
Oh and about those reliable wellies you mentioned a while back. I meant to agree - rubbery green wellies from the hardware store will last you twenty years. Pretty, expensive ones with special patterns you'll most likely get one wear out of!
Oh, geez. I've just learned after 14 years how to consistently wave with my right hand, not my left. Now I have to learn the correct technique? Added to the list... And yeah, I did just pretend I was holding onto the steering wheel, anchored my thumb, and raised the fingers in salute. I wonder if this one works in Colorado?
The wave is the same here in Alaska and it was the same in the rural communities I lived in in Colorado and Illinois and if you are ever in Amish country I have found that the Amish will also do the finger wave when you pass them in their buggy :) Here in Alaska on the yellow striped two lane highway at least for 15 miles outside of our normal area we will wave at those we recognize especially the mail carrier. Always be super nice to the mail carrier lol.
Hahaha it is clear that waves vary widely around the world. In the Canadian city where I live were driving too fast to wave at anyone. HOWEVER...the one mandatory wave we do use without fail? When someone lets you cut into their lane. If you don’t wave at the person behind who let you in, you're officially an asshole. The exception to this rule is DO NOT WAVE if you cut them off to get into the lane. They DID NOT let you in, you barged your way in. If you wave after barging YOU are the asshole and will incite yelling, horn honking, and road rage.
Interesting! We have wave etiquette even here in silicon valley CA. There is the courtesy wave when someone lets you into the lane from a side street.
No smile but a quick flick of the hand to show you are grateful for being allowed in. This takes place at very slow speeds just like dirt road waves.
Then we have the neighborhood wave on tiny side streets that are paved but one car has to pull over a bit to the side when you are driving in opposite directions. Also very slow speeds and just a quick hand raise, nothing showy. This is also a courtesy wave is only done as a thanks by the car being allowed t go by first.
Then there is the walking trail wave. When you are facing or passing on a dirt path where hardly anyone goes, you give a short , subtle nod, a tiny smile and perhaps wave or say hello.
But out in the really world where there are lots of people walking around you don't bother because it would be ridiculous and weird. And of course on busy roads going faster you just ignore everyone else.
I too live in rural America, and unlike accents and idioms known only to the locals, “the wave” appears universal - at least between Pennsylvania and Colorado. And you must barely smile. It’s important to look cool, not like a Golden Retriever who just got its first dog biscuit.
I AM THAT GOLDEN RETRIEVER
🤣🤣 Gosh I'm learning so many things here I almost feel like a new person!
Bahahaha!!!!! Here's another wave you won't find in any etiquette book. The bike wave. Yup. Bikers have a wave (pedal bikes not those hells angels...that's a whole different type of wave that includes guns).
I've been a biker most of my adult life and when I'm out on the road pedaling away and a on coming biker approaches from the other side of the road, I'm caught in this ping pong thought process "do I wave? or not? wave or not wave of not????
But let me back up.
There are two types of bikers.
The ones that wave and the ones that don't.
Me...I'm a waver. I'm friendly. I'm outside enjoying the day on my bike and a wave says so.
The non-waver is not friendly. They are serious bikers and out for training, they aren't enjoying the day, no this is serious stuff. They can't waste any energy on a wave. They might need it for the next hill...serious stuff.
But every single time I see a "serious" biker approaching.
You know the ones.
They're on one of those bikes that looks like they are on a rocket ship in full uniform.
I start thinking, what if this one is different,
what if this one is nice, what if this one is friendly.
What if I don't wave and then I'm the asshole.
I don't want to be an asshole.
What if I just do a small wave.
Flick of the fingers up off the handle bar.
This way if they don't reciprocate,
They didn't see it.
Not my fault.
I'm not an asshole.
I'm having fun!
THIS IS, BY FAR, MY FAVORITE COMMENT EVER. As soon as I saw this come in, I read it aloud to my friend who was standing in the kitchen, and we both agreed that this is 10,000% so true!!! I'm not even a serious biker and I have totally felt this pressure while biking on the occasional trail. There's a huge path outside of Philadelphia where serious bikers always are, and I'm always the little pipsqueak with my broad-ass smile. 😂
Awww...you made my day. Love ya girlfriend!
Hilarious!! I have also mastered this mini wave when drivers stop for me when I’m on my bicycle. When they don’t kill me at least they deserve an acknowledgment.
OMG - I just moved into rural America (MN) and can verify the veracity of this: the wave *must* happen, and correctly. I've discovered my husband, who grew up in the country, already naturally knew this when we were standing at the mouth of our drive and he waved at a passing truck. "Do we know him?" I asked. He looked at me oddly - nope, he didn't think so. Didn't matter. We apparently wave, because now we are going to live here and one day I may need sugar or a toilet or my dog returned and no one would apparently help me if I had missed this courtesy measure at ANY TIME in the past. Consider this previously suburban dweller educated.
I LOVE that he's from there and you are not—you'll be able to make so many fascinating observations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Baaahahahah! Please keep us posted, I need YOU to write a column on this now, lol.
Yup. In rural Norway, we're on the same "wavelength" so to speak. Subtle differences though. It's so cold people are rarely out on their porches or in their gardens but if they are, no need to wave at them (unless you're related to them and they happen to look up as you're passing). They're probably hunched over shoveling snow anyways. so that would be a wave wasted. But common curtesy is to wave (raise four fingers while keeping thumb rested on steering wheel) on rural slow roads when you meet people you know, or as a thank you even to people you don't know if they slow down to let you comfortably pass on a narrow road. The four finger wave is the beginner/intermediate level. Advanced level wavers sometimes go for the nonchalant "raised-index-finger-greeting".
I see what you did there 😉😘 *tips hat in appreciation of humorous word play*
😉
I have no doubt you will master all the local waves, making friends along the way. I am thinking of another local tradition...the mudroom. I don't think the white carpet will survive without one. SPRING IS COMING!
GAH! There is a mudroom off the garage, but *not* off of the main entrance where everyone comes in, which is the kitchen, off the back. Have been contemplating!!!!! LOL
Mudroom is a definite must!
That was a joy to read during a sweaty and stressful day (I'm suddenly in hospital with a badly broken leg, two weeks in, four to go). Have you been on the London Tube? I bet you have. Definitely no waving there, either. Although I'd always be tempted to start the trend. The three seconds hold applies here in the English Midlands just the same. Not in Norfolk though. In Norfolk only one pointy finger comes off the steering wheel and you do the Nod. A fast unsmiling Nod. The nod is also the acceptable form of greeting on foot in that part of the world.( where I kind of grew up, and couldn't leave fast enough). Thank you for another entertaining read.
Oh and about those reliable wellies you mentioned a while back. I meant to agree - rubbery green wellies from the hardware store will last you twenty years. Pretty, expensive ones with special patterns you'll most likely get one wear out of!
I remember this as the “jeep wave”…where I’m from (and when I used to drive a wrangler) all the wranglers did this! Secret code and this exact wave
Oh, geez. I've just learned after 14 years how to consistently wave with my right hand, not my left. Now I have to learn the correct technique? Added to the list... And yeah, I did just pretend I was holding onto the steering wheel, anchored my thumb, and raised the fingers in salute. I wonder if this one works in Colorado?
It would where I live in Colorado. Don’t smile, though.
Giggle.
The wave is the same here in Alaska and it was the same in the rural communities I lived in in Colorado and Illinois and if you are ever in Amish country I have found that the Amish will also do the finger wave when you pass them in their buggy :) Here in Alaska on the yellow striped two lane highway at least for 15 miles outside of our normal area we will wave at those we recognize especially the mail carrier. Always be super nice to the mail carrier lol.
There's a slight but common variation around here... sometimes you just lift two fingers, not all four. 🤯😂
Ash, Ash.... <head hanging, eyes on feet>....
You could've saved yourself all that trouble, and all that heartache.
There's NO NEED to go around "interviewing" people!
No need to fret, either.
I learned something back when I was a teenager, just got my license, and made my first trip out to rural America....
Y'wanna blend in with the locals...?
Be ever so inconspicuous...?
Just watch 'em...
...and do what they do!
Hahaha it is clear that waves vary widely around the world. In the Canadian city where I live were driving too fast to wave at anyone. HOWEVER...the one mandatory wave we do use without fail? When someone lets you cut into their lane. If you don’t wave at the person behind who let you in, you're officially an asshole. The exception to this rule is DO NOT WAVE if you cut them off to get into the lane. They DID NOT let you in, you barged your way in. If you wave after barging YOU are the asshole and will incite yelling, horn honking, and road rage.
Interesting! We have wave etiquette even here in silicon valley CA. There is the courtesy wave when someone lets you into the lane from a side street.
No smile but a quick flick of the hand to show you are grateful for being allowed in. This takes place at very slow speeds just like dirt road waves.
Then we have the neighborhood wave on tiny side streets that are paved but one car has to pull over a bit to the side when you are driving in opposite directions. Also very slow speeds and just a quick hand raise, nothing showy. This is also a courtesy wave is only done as a thanks by the car being allowed t go by first.
Then there is the walking trail wave. When you are facing or passing on a dirt path where hardly anyone goes, you give a short , subtle nod, a tiny smile and perhaps wave or say hello.
But out in the really world where there are lots of people walking around you don't bother because it would be ridiculous and weird. And of course on busy roads going faster you just ignore everyone else.
“This is how I also know I’m slowly loosing my mind. “ 😂😂😂😂