What is the proper way to acknowledge fellow enthusiasts?

"Carbyne" (Carbyne) 08/11/2014 at 16:10 • Filed to: hello, cool car, do the wave, stuff

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So I drive a Mini Cooper as my DD. I live in an area with a high amount of other Mini motorists and we always acknowledge each other with a simple wave as we pass by.

I was wondering though, how do you acknowledge other gearhead enthusiasts in cars that you don't drive. For instance, the other day I was driving along and a early model Ford (like a model T) passed by me. I gave the driver a simple thumbs up and he waved back.

Did I do that right? Is there some special wave that I don't know?

Imirrelephant > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:12

2

It's not so much the form as the intent.

scoob > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:12

5

For Toyota's, you have to honk for about 5 seconds and yell "COME ON!!!!!!!", if you're behind them of course.

GTI MkVII > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:12

0

Still fairly new to the VW GTI community, but there are a fair amount in South FL. I either wave or give a thumbs up if passing them or sitting next to them at a light, or give a quick high beam flash if they're traveling the other direction etc. Love the friendly camaraderie even if its just for a second.

DoYouEvenShift > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:13

20

Here in the loud exhaust V8 world, we throw a rev at each other.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:13

0

I do a polite wave or, for a really awesome classic, a thumbs up.

$kaycog > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:13

19

I always give a thumbs up.

505Turbeaux > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:15

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I was driving next to a rust free but "blemished" red series 3 XJ6 the other day. Kid must have been 17 and had his girl in the car. Reminded me of me at a different time in life. He got in front of me and was looking in his rear view, I gave him a big thumbs up. Good job kid

Biased Plies > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:16

1

I usually go for a thumbs-up. Sometimes it's not acknowledged but when it is it always makes me smile.

Conan > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:17

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I saw a sweet air cooled Porsche the other day. I gave him a thumbs up and he smiled.

Ted Ladue > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:20

142

we do this:

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:21

113

This is the only, proper way to do it.

Carbyne > DoYouEvenShift 08/11/2014 at 16:23

17

So I need to get two Minis and rev them at the exact same time?

yamahog > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:24

1

Jeep wave in the XJ, biker nod/wave on the Yamaha.

There's always that awkward moment when I forget what I'm doing and wave to a biker while in the Jeep or vice versa, though.

DatASSun > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:25

29

If you live in Texas a simple lift of the fingers off the wheel as you pass will work.

Like so.. and if you're a grown man don't wear a ring on your pointer finger.

Carbyne > $kaycog 08/11/2014 at 16:27

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Do you react different when a Ford GT passes?

Brian Silvestro > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:27

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I give a thumbs up for cars that I like, so yeah, sounds about right.

Ilike_cougars > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:28

1

I usually point at the car and give them a thumbs up, works most of the time, with classic car owners, Mopar, Mustang people. 3th gen Camaro people not so much, dont ask me why. and the worst are BMW people, I happen to drive one, and the number of times I have given the thumbs up to maybe an E92 M3 or M6 driver have always gone in vain, Classic BMW drivers on the other hand are much better.

GhostZ > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:33

1

$kaycog > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:34

42

Yeah, I'd react different. I'd probably drive into a tree or wet my pants or both.

camaroboy68ss > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:37

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i usually wave at other camaros (5th gen owners are oblivious or not friendly) and in the vintage stuff I give thumps up

Andrew P. Collins > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:46

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I think it's cool to thumbs-up random cars/bikes. If you just wave, they'll think you think you know them and get confused.

That said, if they're driving something in the same "genre" so to speak they'll probably understand a wave. I.e., if I'm in my father's Fiat Spider I'll wave to a Triumph TR-6.

Or if you're both in interesting vehicles from the same brand, the wave might work too. I actually tried this with a G-Wagen... I was in the SUV and waved at a passing Mercedes Pagoda, incredibly he waved back. Though I think I might have just confused him as per my first statement.

Patrick George > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:47

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It's been two years since I owned a WRX, but I still want to instinctively wave to WRX and STI owners on the road. I miss that camaraderie.

hoonhawk > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:48

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I always get the finger from CBR riders when I'm on my SV, that's how they acknowledge me when I give them a wave.

Diesel > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:48

6

I always say hello by dragonning their car.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > DatASSun 08/11/2014 at 16:48

3

You're not motorcyclists. Why would you do that?

Titanius Anglesmith > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:49

57

If there's someone in another BMW behind me, I'll actually use my turn signals.

David E. Davis > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 16:49

13

Hi Patrick!

SheriffTruman > yamahog 08/11/2014 at 16:49

0

Ha, I drive a MINI and my wife Drives a Jeep. When I am driving on the weekend, I have waved at MINIs from the Jeep a few times.

Flavien Vidal > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:49

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I rarely "acknowledge" Jalop cars... On a few rare exceptions, rare cars, I give a thumbs up and a big smile :)

negativezero89 > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 08/11/2014 at 16:49

4

I think he's saying "kiss me... kiss me..."

BeauM > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 16:50

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Just got rid of my WRX, and I have the same urge.

Carbyne > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 16:50

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Get a MINI, you won't be disappointed :)

deekster_caddy > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:51

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I give a honk, wave, thumbs up or whatever is appropriate. Sometimes it's a big wave, sometimes just 'lift the fingers off the steering wheel' wave. It's different for every car. As long as I don't run into somebody while doing it, I'm good.

Jonathan Harper > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:51

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I usually give a thumbs up out the window.

SheriffTruman > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:51

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I have a MINI and wave. Usually maybe a few fingers off the wheel.

I will say, I have thought about stopping as there was a string of about 20 times in a row that I did not get a wave back. I said if I got to 25 I was done, but the 21st guy redeemed it for me.

Way different from when I first got the thing in 2003 and the years after. People would always wave.

Patrick George > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:51

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I have one! But here in D.C., where every third car is a Mini, nobody waves to each other. It's odd.

Jake Schofield > DatASSun 08/11/2014 at 16:51

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I'd like to open the debate as the the gender of the person with this hand. Note the small, rather feminine watch, and the slightly long-cut fingernails. On the other hand (guffaw) the veins are quite prominent!

Reckoning Day > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:51

3

I drive past 'other' Corvette drivers and we are too snooty to wave at each other...That is for the low-brow peasantry.....

Carbyne > Diesel 08/11/2014 at 16:51

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Tried it once, got burnt real bad. What did I do wrong?

Mikeado > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:51

12

I think a thumb up or a wave is the normal thing to do.

I heard somewhere (it might be a joke) that owners of NSU Ro80s would hold their fingers up at each other [not like that...] showing how many engines they'd been through. I guess RX-8 owners could do the same ;-)

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:52

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Yell nice Audi bro!!!!!!!!!! as loud as I fucking can.

Reckoning Day > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 16:52

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They weren't that friends, don't worry 'bout it...

TheHondaBro > Ted Ladue 08/11/2014 at 16:52

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No, I think it's just broken.

M54B30 > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:53

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I park perpendicularly in handicap spots with other BMWs.

Seriously though, I haven't seen another 5 series here in the last 18 months. Same with Montero's. I drive rare cars I guess

FriscoFairlane > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:53

0

A nod and/or a rev of the engine usually gets the job done.

Thomasaurus > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:53

0

I always blip my lights, or if I have the windows down, a little wave. I used to do it to all fellow Porsche drivers, but stopped doing it to newer-911 drivers, as they all seem to be the "buy an expensive car because its what successful people do" types instead of being enthusiasts, and they always gave me a WTF look. The guys in the Caymans, 944s and 928s etc are pretty much always enthusiasts and will usually signal back. Air-cooled 911 drivers are 50/50 with a response....the ones who don't probably look down on my lowly Cayman.

F50F60 > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:53

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crotch grab....

frogberg > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:53

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When I first got my Mini, it was waves all around. Then the R56 came out and the waves decreased significantly . Then the Clubman came out and I became a pain in the ass to those drivers, apparently, because it was huge effort for them to wave. Now, I don't bother.

Pete Zapardi's Pizza Party > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:54

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My fellow VW enthusiasts seem to be quite fond of the "peace" sign. For non-VW drivers, I'll give a thumbs up. That seems to be a pretty universal sign of car guy approval.

Diesel > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:54

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Stay away from the exhaust.

Carbyne > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 16:54

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I'm coming to fix that, hold on.

92RedMister2 > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:55

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If it's an MR2 you're talking about, almost everyone active in the community takes a picture of it on the road and then posts it in one of the forums asking who's car it is.

n54 & s38 > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 16:55

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Yup. I used to always get some Subie love in my '08 WRX too.

Carbyne > Diesel 08/11/2014 at 16:55

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Ah, I see. Going out to try again right now

n54 & s38 > Ted Ladue 08/11/2014 at 16:55

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I feel like it's flirting with/winking at me.

I'm intrigued...

Do-Rif-To > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:55

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Ever since I threw the rally lights and rallyarmor flaps on my car I've been getting more waves from the rally WRX/STI crowd even though I drive a NA 4th Gen Legacy, I quite like it. I just throw out the old 2 fingers down motorcycle salute because it feels right.

n54 & s38 > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:56

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Show 'em your dick....

SantaRita > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:56

3

i do a headlight flash...VW people are the best for waving...i imagine Jeep, Mini Cooper, Miata, and WRX people are similar...but i like to think it all goes back to the Beetle or Jeep.

n54 & s38 > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:57

39

There was more a sense of camraderie when I had my WRX. Now that I drive a BMW, I usually acknowledge fellow Bimmer owners by cutting them off and/or failing to use my turn signals. It's the little things, ya know...

TheHondaBro > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:57

6

If you're in a Honda, just tailgate the other Honda doing the speed limit, then pass them with fury.

AAAH GET OUT OF MY WAY HONDA!! RAAAAAAAAAAAWR!!!

Josh > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 16:57

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I thought this stopped happening when I switched from my '13 WRX to the '15 STi, but it turns out that people just took like two months to figure out that it wasn't an Evo. It's back now.

DatASSun > Jake Schofield 08/11/2014 at 16:57

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I concur. most likely a tranny.

T off the New > DatASSun 08/11/2014 at 16:58

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RedWhine > Ted Ladue 08/11/2014 at 16:58

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Cannot....stop....watching... It's like the automotive equivalent of hypno-toad

09jk > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:59

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I sometimes wave at other jeep wranglers. Sometimes I wave and realize that they are parked. On the side of the road. In a dealers lot. With a for sale sticker. And the dealership isn't even open.

SantaRita > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:59

8

I do gun-hands when i am riding and see other people on bikes. Harley riders don't play the game, but then again they're probably worried if they let go the handlebar will fall off.

OB1 > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:59

1

I've been in the Audi wagon world for over 5yrs and I always give a small wave or thumbs up to any wagon, in general (that seems like an enthusiast, at least).

n54 & s38 > M54B30 08/11/2014 at 16:59

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Haha. Just saw this. Pretty much made the same joke above.

orangedrink > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:59

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Twonius > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:59

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HiMyNameIsJayAgain > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 16:59

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The Subie wave.

TheHondaBro > scoob 08/11/2014 at 16:59

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Then you pull them over and bond over your GROUNDED TO THE GROUND hybrid Camrys.

OctaneBlood > DatASSun 08/11/2014 at 17:00

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This is common in many rural areas, but I've always seen it as a "hello" or "thanks for moving to the shoulder on this narrow dirt road" more than acknowledging a certain car.

DatASSun > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 08/11/2014 at 17:00

5

notice the lower arm position. Also notice the freedom to style your wave how you want. While the guy on the right is more of a peace sign guy the guy on the left wants you to know he'll put two in the pink.

RedWhine > SantaRita 08/11/2014 at 17:00

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That is a lovely FC

Rainbow > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:00

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This is my default way of saying, "I have no idea who you are, but you've given me reason to like you." I'll also do rock horns where appropriate.

Eric the RC guy > n54 & s38 08/11/2014 at 17:00

3

No, she's winking at me. Go somewhere else!

Miata2016GT > SantaRita 08/11/2014 at 17:00

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Miata drivers are less likely to wave now than they did in the earlier years... unless you're at an event, etc.

JustAnotherIdiot > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:00

3

There ya go

TheHondaBro > Mikeado 08/11/2014 at 17:01

1

That's work if you're in a GM car: just hold up a finger for how many ignition switches you've been through.

Carbyne > Twonius 08/11/2014 at 17:01

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Trying this right now

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 08/11/2014 at 17:01

3

I do drive a Fiat 500, and we can be a little....different.

Alex87f > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:02

1

The Nürburgring sticker sometimes works. But Belgium is hardly a car-enthusiastic nation so more often than not people ask me what country it depicts.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:02

3

You shouldn't have gone in bare back. Always use protection.

bidwell07 > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 17:02

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When you wave to a WRX/STi while driving your wife's Honda Pilot...

DatASSun > T off the New 08/11/2014 at 17:02

2

Don't catch yourself in the Douchebag zone .. if your a Farmer your car is probably out of alignment like mine so you have to hold it from running off to the right.

Mr Ordinary > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 17:02

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Same over here in England.

When I drive the Alfa, nothing. When I drive my RB5 I get waves all the time from other Subaru drivers and I also get loads of folk talking about the car.

TxBrumski > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:02

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The Jeep Wave

RaptorConner > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:03

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In my MN12 I always wave at other Thunderbirds I see on the road, but the wave back percentage is pretty small. Its pretty funny when its some old lady and she waves back.

When I'm in my Bronco, most other Bronco drivers will wave back, especially if they have their roof off.

In my Mustang I've gotten occasional waves back, sometimes they blip their throttle as they go by. I only wave at GTs.

I usually just give a thumbs up to cool cars I don't happen to also be driving.

bootska > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:03

0

I had a Clubman S in DC for 4 years; I waved and they waved back.

afaik > Patrick George 08/11/2014 at 17:03

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I drive an STi and find that only STi owners wave at me. regulation WRX owners typically do not acknowledge me. I find that odd. Is it possible they think I will not respond because I have three additional letters glued to my trunk? anyway, I usually wave at STi owners and thumbs up other driver's if they are driving something I find interesting. Everyone else gets ignored.

Karmakazee > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:03

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Peace sign to VW owners, air or water cooled.

78045nuhrtrec > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:04

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Twonius > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:04

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If you hear gunfire you're doing it correctly.

Rainbow > Jake Schofield 08/11/2014 at 17:04

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My guess: she's a smoker and it shows.

Keith Moon > M54B30 08/11/2014 at 17:04

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Is the Montero related in some to the Pajero?

Mercedes Streeter > Carbyne 08/11/2014 at 17:04

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Us smart owners have two waves. One is the "4,2" wave, which is really only known by those of us in the online communities. It's easy, stick your hand out the window, do a 4 with your fingers, then a 2. Unfortunately, sometimes you end up giving the other person the finger if you don't pay attention!!

The other standard wave is to honk then wave like an idiot!

Carbyne > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 08/11/2014 at 17:04

3

Wrapping on some heat sheilding right now

Bubs > hoonhawk 08/11/2014 at 17:04

2

Like, they actually flip you off? If so, that's bizarre. I would expect that kind of elitism from Harley riders, but not from CBR riders!

crushlovepanic > frogberg 08/11/2014 at 17:04

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I just picked up an F56 and I would totally wave at you. I know Mini enthusiasts are polarized on the new redesign but the only other wave I've gotten back was from another F56 driver.