I so agree with all that has been stated! I have noticed that people in general have become more and more focused on SELF instead of paying attention to what is going on around them and the good that could come from the wave or flash of a fellow mini enthusiast!

IT MUST BE A MINI THING AND SOME JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND!!!

 

With so few MINIs in this state, WE go out of our way to acknowledge each other on the road. With my ragtop always open (more than 90%- MINI contract!), I wave really BIG!

 

I do a lot of waving to other Mini drivers (about 5 times in the past 2 weeks) and never received a wave back, but that could just be a Toronto thing. We're famous for being snobs.

But this morning on the highway on the way to work I honked and waved to the Mini beside mine (an R53 MCS DS/W) and received a very enthusiastic wave back.

 

Had my first Mini to Mini encounter today. We both waved enthusiastically. I am, however, concerned about the big, goofy grin on my face. Not the most dignified expression to wear.

 

I've had a Corvette for several years and have seen the "wave" go out of style in the last couple years. I think it's the same way with my MINI. I'll wave or flash my lights but very seldom get retuns. I'm still going to continue to wave and if no one waves back, that's their problem not mine.
As they say in Corvette land..."Save The Wave"!!!

 

No, but it IS contagious! They must be NAM-ers too... It really does make my day when I get a wave back. Lately, though, I've been getting more waves & attention from non-Mini drivers! A couple have even stopped me to ask questions. Ah...converts!

 

A week or so ago, I had a 20 minute conversation in the parking lot of the post office after a woman stopped me while I was getting in my car. We even had an interjection from one of the post office clerks heading into work about how his wife loved hers! The woman left saying she was going to go build one online.

 

And how!

On! On!

 

Mark here is a wave from a guy in Nashville, TN. I was out and didn't see you. We have a lot of MINI drivers that are talking on their cell phones and not pay attention. I wish more people would use a head set.

 

Yup, I came out of a building and there was an elderly gentleman looking at my mini. Across the parking lot sat his cooper. He asked this question, that question, we spent 45 minutes in the parking lot talking about minis. I wish I had a NAM card but gave him the site address, hopefully he'll visit.

Happens a lot....


Mark

 

Right back at ya.... I always wave.

 

Just remember, Some people own a MINI and some people just own another small car.

I, for one, own a MINI.

 

Like I said earlier... It must be a MINI thing and some just don't understand!

 

We need to pass the rules along to all those who wont wave

 

We need to teach the rules to all those who drive, but don't wave

 

in my opinion, when you buy a mini, the community comes with it. so either wave, or get another car. i can proudly say that i have fully converted 2 people, and i have only had my mini since feb 08. and by converted, i mean that they both have ordered mini's. a job well done. oh, and as said above, save the wave!!

 

^ in my opinion, when you buy a mini, the community comes with it. so either wave, or get another car. . . .

so say we all.

 

Speak for yourself, please. When in my car I don't wave at strangers. I don't talk on the phone. I don't consume decaf blended pumpkin spice frappuccinos. I drive. (Sometimes maybe a little tiny bit over the speed limit.)

 

^ (and on this podium) we have these MINI owners who refuse to wave . . . but do the . . . , while keeping both hands on the wheel as they drive . . . (/sarcasm).

 

To wave, or not to wave, that is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous waving, or to take arms against a sea of waving, and by opposing, end them?
I too only drive when I'm in my Mini- no lattes, food, phones, ipods, etc... but I'll wave too. Can't wave too enthusiastically though, that wouldn't be cool. A couple of months ago I flew down to LA to buy my '06 MCS JCW (with only 8500 miles on it-- yes, there are still some of them out there!) the seller took me on a test drive down the coast hwy. to Laguna Beach then over the hills- yeehaw! He said I had to wave at CR/W Minis (of which mine is) and chastised me for waving at other Minis. Hmm, that didn't seem right. Driving my "new" Mini home up the east side of the Sierras, through Lake Tahoe, Susanville, Mt. Shasta, Klamath Falls, Crater Lake, then I-5 home I saw a few Minis and took his advice... until one PW/W towing a trailer waved enthusiastically- they were having fun so I had to wave back... enthusiastically. Here in my small town there are only three of four of us Mini owners and a couple that commute here. I've given each my "cool" wave and no one has waved back! How bad is that?! Of course, their cars don't look as good as mine so are they jealous? So I ask... to wave or not to wave?

 

but I REALLY hate peer pressure and forced conformity. I don't like the nature of a "rule" for this stuff AT ALL! I also don't buy into if you buy a Mini you buy into the Mini culture. It's just a freakin car! If you want to be part of the "club" by all means be part of the club, but if you don't, that's fine too. The more that it's "required" the more it grates against my very nature.

At least that's how I see it.

Matt

 

considering i was in a car accident recently, where i broke 3 vertebrae and both my ankles, i have become a very safe driver. (no, i was not the driver in the accident) Thus, i do talk on the phone while driving, and have never even heard of a "pumpkin spice frappuccino" and i do not drink coffee or soda. so stop being sour and wave back if u get a mini wave. if anything, it encourages happy motoring, as opposed to road rage and angst. and please, don't try to assume that you completely know me, or try to categorize me, from just one little statement.

 

I wave at every MINI I see. I don't care if I don't get a wave back, but I'm happy if I do

 

No required response, no rule, no incured obligation, just a friendly offer...

Matt

 

if you don't wanna wave, then thats fine, and no one should judge you for it. but if another mini driver waves at you, wouldnt it be sorta rude not to wave back? you dont have to buy into the culture, but its good to be pleasant atleast if someone does wave at you. I respect the decision to not be a "Miniac," but the could shoulder is just rude.