I parked my dark silver MCS beside a black MCS today at Kohls in Gaithersburg. I saw the DCMM sticker and MD tags (something starting w/ a 2, a bunch of numbers...) Who are you?

 

How many times do you wave at the same MINI before you give up? I pass this woman every morning and so far not even a nod in my general direction. I get waves from all sorts of cars, from Beetles to a classic Mini as well as an gorgeous old Alfa Romeo but from a PW/B MC??? NooOooOooOOOooo. Hmmpf.

 

So here's the rub (and probably off-topic so moderate me as you see fit). People, some people will never get it. For whatever reason, valid or not, they see the world as something to endure. Your wave is not worthy of response, because who the ^%$% are you anyway? Sad, so very sad.

That being said, if we wave expecting response, we wave for the wrong reasons. I'm not saying I don't get a thrill, or don't really enjoy the "give back" of a wave returned ... it's just that I've adjusted my expectations to "I will give the wave because I want to. I am happy to be in this Mini, I hope you feel the same way."

I've also adjusted my postings here to a similar style, i.e. I don't report the waves unanswered from non-known DCMMers. I just post the waves replied. It's not that I don't wave, it's I just play the positive. You do a good thing when you wave, revel in it.



In short, keep waving because you want to. Don't stop for the lack of response. Know that a group of enthusiasts here (on-line and not) at DCMM any Mini's in general appreciate and really enjoy your efforts.

 

GP spotted in Alexandria around 12:15 (lunch time) today. You were right near 395 and Glebe Road. I almost broke my neck staring at you as i drove past the intersection where you were. (Again, not in my MINI, but the company car)

 

I got my first wave this morning! It was from "minibat" (CR/W MC) this morning at 2nd and east st. in Frederick.

As for the current discussion about "wave theory," I've decided to go by the concept my jeep wrangler owning cow-orker taught me: You're waving at the other vehicle, not the other owner. It's a sign of respect to the personalization of the other vehicle through mods, color combinations, etc.

The jeep guys also seem to have a more casual, cool wave rather than the typical frantic mini wave. But I think that's because it's easier to do a casual wave when your car doesn't have doors.

 

However, I used to drive a wrangler and almost every other wrangler I passed waved to me... I guess just keep trying and maybe they'll get the picture...

 

So...i was having a HORRIBLE day at work, and all i wanted to do was come home- and lounge around like a lazy bum...

So as I'm driving home, wouldnt you know it--i get 1 acknowledgment and one wave within 5 minutes!!!
I dont know what color the first womans was, but she had union jack mirror caps, and the mans was silver- looked like it had mods, from the 1/2 second i saw it from across the lane.

definitely perked me up a bit

 

Spotted a BRG/Black on Greenspring Ave. at Broadway and got a flash of the head lamps to which I returned a hearty wave ! Thanks for making an otherwise dreary day a bit more pleasant.

 

Saw Royal Grey w/black top at light at Father Hurley Blvd & Wynnfield Rd in Germantown at 8:30 this morning as I was turning from Wynnfield onto Father Hurley. MD plates, I believe. I waved, you waved back and smiled. You made a U-turn on FH Blvd and then passed me.

-Bev

 

While it is always nice to receive a wave or nod of appreciation/ acknowledgment from a fellow mini driver, some people's expectation of automatic reciprocation is equally as selfish. You bring up some valid points (esp for the DC area) about wave theory...however maybe the other person just doesn't care. Maybe they are in a zip car and view the mini as just a (gasp!) mode of transportation. Maybe they are consumed with thought over some serious stuff going on in their life. Or maybe they just didn’t see you cuz they were paying attention to the road or were in ‘the zone’. I don’t think that makes them a bad person worthy of damnation on here…lol. I don’t always get to wave to other minis because I’m usually zipping by them and I have super dark tint.

Definitely keep waving because you enjoy doing so and like offering up a bit of joy to strangers. I personally believe this ‘wave philosophy’ should extend to the rest of life too…do it because it brings you joy, not cuz you expect anything in return

 

Mr EZ , your MINI was parked on 15th street right in front of my office this afternoon!

 

None of the MINIs I see on 395 during my commute ever wave

 

well, if I ever see you on 395... i will wave at you (if you wave back and bring me cookies)

 

PW Clubman S(?) northbound on 270 @ Montgomery Village Ave., around 6PM. Got an enthusiastic wave!

 

Surprisingly, I got more wave now a day than before. Ratio of about 3 out of 5.


Keep on waving.

 

You might want to hit the road now, you've got a long ways to go

 

Two waves yesterday !

 

I had a very disappointing experience a few weeks ago. I was at the New Safeway in Kensington, and I thought I was lucky enough to park right next to a fellow Black Cooper S.
The owner was not in the car at the time. When I came out she was there putitng her groceries in the boot, but she would not acknowledge me even though we made I contact.
Talk about seriously disappointed. I am not a very outgoing person, but when it comes to fellow MINI owners I will wave at complete strangers, and talk if given the opportunity.
I hope there are no more of her kind out there.

 

Its just the DC area

 

That's not very cool...and it's part of being in the DC area indeed. However, coming from another not very outgoing person, I would chalk it up to them possibly being just as shy as you are. Making eye contact is not enough (and can definitely be taken the wrong way) around here. Did you say hi or wave with a smile? Sometimes it is hard for others to just step out of our comfort zones even when with a MINI!

 

i always just say...."nice car"

and it seems to make them look over and acknowledge you

(like the guy who has ignored me for a month. i told him nice car, as i was making the turn in the parking garage- cause my top was down- and he smiled and laughed)

 

I do agree, no one is required to wave back. However , it seems that the mini drivers ive met, do not seem to care for minis in the way that us on NAM not just DCMM do . with that said i also think what you've said seems harsh and almost borderline pompous but to say who the .... are we . makes me wonder who the .... are you to say anything about people who expect waves back

 

my mom told me there is a "light blue" (she isnt sure of the exact color, but knows it isnt oxy blue) that she sees everyday in the parking lot across from her work. her office is on Leonard drive in Fairfax, right near the courthouse. Just wanted to see if it was anyone from here.

 

Okay... which one of you MINIACS tagged me with a DCMM card this afternoon ??

I stopped by the Walmart to pick up some milk, I was only in there for a few minutes. I come out... tagged. Looked for you, but you were nowhere to be seen.

 

I hope I did not mis-speak in my original post, i.e. when I wrote the sentence "Your wave is not worthy of response, because who the ^%$% are you anyway?" I was referring to the voice/consciousness of those that cannot (for whatever reason, valid or not) seem to drop their guard enough to accept a wave, return a wave, hello or "nice car" for what it is ... pure human contact. I was not trying to say that I felt that way. I was not the one saying "Who the %$#@ are you!" Does that make better sense?

What is sad is not the people who don't get it, but as has been pointed out here is that we live in a world, a place (and a locality in DC) that seems to reinforce that unreceptive attitude.

I guess we all agree, wave because you feel it. Wave because it's a good thing. Rejoice in those that respond and well, don't let those that don't define your outlook. Don't let the non-responders shackle your buzz.

I apologize if my original post came across as pompous. I may be, but it was not my intent. I am sorry if it read that way.