jymbee
Platinum Member
Growing up on the farm lived on a rural back road. Not that many cars or trucks that drove by but when they did we and they always exchanged waves. Of course odds were pretty good that they were a neighbor, a townsfolk, or perhaps a local vendor such as the feed guy, vet, service person etc.
Also each bypasser seemed to have their own wave "style". Some would just life a single finger off the steering wheel and point, others would do a full arm/wrist animated wave. But they would all wave. Even if you were out in a field some distance from the road, you'd look their way and give a wave.
While we still live in a very rural area there are more cars driving by now. But I can't help but notice that there's not nearly as much of the waving going on when people pass by as there used to be. Recognizable locals and just about anyone driving a pickup truck usually will wave, but the "city people" in their SUVs apparently are unaware of the tradition. Not only do many of them (not all of course) not wave, but they seem to be determined not to make eye contact. Staring straight ahead with a death grip on the steering wheel with no hint of recognition.
Surely waving to people you pass is not something one would practice in an urban area (arm would get very tired and you'd get lots of strange looks I expect) but what I've always considered a rural tradition doesn't seem to be nearly as common as it once was.
Also each bypasser seemed to have their own wave "style". Some would just life a single finger off the steering wheel and point, others would do a full arm/wrist animated wave. But they would all wave. Even if you were out in a field some distance from the road, you'd look their way and give a wave.
While we still live in a very rural area there are more cars driving by now. But I can't help but notice that there's not nearly as much of the waving going on when people pass by as there used to be. Recognizable locals and just about anyone driving a pickup truck usually will wave, but the "city people" in their SUVs apparently are unaware of the tradition. Not only do many of them (not all of course) not wave, but they seem to be determined not to make eye contact. Staring straight ahead with a death grip on the steering wheel with no hint of recognition.
Surely waving to people you pass is not something one would practice in an urban area (arm would get very tired and you'd get lots of strange looks I expect) but what I've always considered a rural tradition doesn't seem to be nearly as common as it once was.
I have heard the Wave originated in past centuries as a sign the approaching person was not armed....so he showed an open hand and the other person reciprocated....
