Over here in Jersey you'd be surprised how many "S" models are on the roads. I see a lot more "S" commuter cars on 195/295 and the turnpike than not.

 

I got a huge wave on the Blue Ridge parkway today! We drove all the way from Massachusetts to North Carolina and that was our first wave.

 

I haven't been waving long but the few times I have, I usually get one back.

I got an arm-flailing wave a few days ago. Driving on the 210 here in LA I spotted a BRG R56. Sped up to get next to them, very cute girl driving, she looked over and was obviously checking out my car. I looked back, smiled, got a return smile then she dropped behind and almost missed her exit. On her off ramp she really put the petal to the metal to catch up to my line of sight then was waving with both (yes both) arms frantically while giving two thumbs up. I waved back and that just made my day

I also spotted a really nice 2010 Laurel in Burbank the other day at a light. I gave a simple wave, he nodded back.

A month or two ago a white R60 pulled up next to me at a light and tried to get my attention. We had a quick chat about how much we loved our cars, I told him about MTTS coming to the Rose Bowl.

I think I have a high wave back rate because I totally profile the car/driver before waving. The options/mods take priority over the model in deciding if I wave or not.

Justa: No wave (usually in LA this is just someone looking for MPGs)
S: Depends on the person. I'll usually only wave if they're looking directly at me and look fun.
JCW: I'll wave unless the person looks un-fun.

Stripes: Usually wave
Checkers: Always wave, usually get a wave back.
Black-out chrome: Always wave, usually get a wave back.
Visual/Aural mods: Always wave unless the person seems to take themselves too seriously.

So if I see a justa with checkers, I always wave and usually get a wave back. I've got a whole system


I've never gotten someone else to wave first but I get a ton of MINI drivers checking out my matte white wrap. I usually just look back and smile

 

I wave. Many don't respond but I remind myself of how good it feels when somebody waves at me and I can't wave back because I am too slow, see them at the last minute, busy controlling my iPad with my iPhone, whatever...

 

FINALLY got an unsolicited wave from a BRG hardtop. He was sitting on the shoulder facing me, he saw me coming and before I could initiate (which I usually do) the wave his hand was up and he was grinning. Very gratifying!

Probably waved based on the fact that I have checkered accessories! I find decked out Mini owners almost always wave, justa or S.

Mine is a "Justa" and I ALWAYS wave

 

There is a roadster I see every few days on the way home from work. I've waved each time, and he does NOT wave back.

Really? Seriously. *sighs.

 

if they don't wave back i think they think that their mini is better than yours.

 

O_o DOH!

 

I posted a while back that I don't wave much any more.

I used to live in the mountains of Northern Colorado, where there aren't many MINIs, or minis. 9 times out of 10 waves were exchanged, with both owners grinning and waving like crazy people. In April, I moved to Las Vegas. Out here, there are lots and lots of MINIs, and they are for the most part, modded. Unfortunately, waves are hard to come by out here. After waving many times, and not getting anything back, I started to feel silly, and found myself getting almost angry that someone who owned a MINI, wasn't as crazy as me.
So I started resisting the urge to wave. It didn't take long till MINIs started going by that were waving at me. It was as if the MINI Gods were trying to tell me that I needed to wave, regardless of a response, because it's all part of the fun!

As for a post I saw a while back on this thread stating that they only wave at fellow S motorers, I'm not bashing you, but that just doesn't make sense to me. I love ALL MINIs, and I love seeing them! When I wave, I'm not necessarily waving at the human, I'm waving at the MINI! I don't notice any difference between S or Justa drivers. Both love, and swear by their MINIs just the same.
But, maybe it's a difference in geographic location. Our club (Sin City MINI Club) has MINIs and minis of all kinds S's and Justas alike, and we all drool over each others baby's every time we get together!
If I was to only wave at the S's, I'd only be half crazy!

 

I wave at all MINIs/Minis. We're a community. I'll keep waving regardless if I don't get a wave back. I've also found many "non-wavers" dont attend MINI meet ups. Just my observation as founder of the RVA MINIs group in Richmond, VA.

 

I don't believe that it's because they think their MINI is better, it's my opinion they think that they eat Filet Mignon and you probably eat Crow.(Their S Don't Stink) Either that or they feel waving to someone isn't the tough thing to do. As for me, I love Filet Mignon but I may enjoy Crow better if I had the opportunity to try it.

It was the same with Jeeps although I had more waves then not.

It feels good to get a wave, feeling acknowledged by someone with a common interest. Really that's what it's all about.

 

+1

 

Gotta tell you pew1375, Bernie looks like a little Bad ***!

 

I just got my 06 R53 about a month back, and was surprised when other MINI owners were waving at me...needless to say at first I was a bit too stunned to wave back because I wasn't expecting this at all. Now I wave every time.

 

That same roadster that doesn't wave at me was followed by a Countryman that not only waved at me but flashed their lights as well. +1

 

I tend to wave... but I also talk to strangers. I'm just that way.

Return waves? 50% in Atlanta

 

Didn't your mama ever tell you to never wave at MINI's?

 

There aren't many MINIS or Minis around here, but I get a few waves. In my classic Mini (87 Mini, UJ roof, RH drive) I get lots of smiles and even waves from little kids, which really REALLY makes my day.
In my yellow 09 Justa with a big stripe kit, I get a few looks (from just anyone) but like I said, there just aren't many MINIs here in these parts. Nearest dealer is 2 hours drive away.
.....as an aside. Back when I was a kid, my Dad had a 1966 Volvo 122S (kinda shaped like a classic mini on steroids) and as kids we were always watching for another one to wave to. Quite common. Only other car I have been in where I felt it was "appropriate" to wave to others.

In the 7 years I've owned my classic Mini I think only 1 or 2 BINI, err, ahem, modern MINI owners have waved to me.

In the nearly 2 months since owning my BINI, ooops, MINI, only 1 other MINI has waved to me, but I've probably only seen 7 or 8 in that time period.

 

My husband were out this weekend in his MINI, and we passed a Countryman passing by the other direction. As I admired it from afar, I noticed the female passenger wave to us! Alas, we were already passing before I could wave back :( It made my day though! First person to wave at either of us since we both got our MINI's! We usually initiate the wave, and it's 50/50 on waves back lol

 

Calforhelp (And everyone else in this thread too),

My MINI "Smirk" won't be here until mid September but I'm near Marina Del Rey and am in the valley a few days a week. So keep your eyes peeled for a BRG MCS with white roof and white racing stripes and a smiling, waving maniac behind the wheel. (Stock photo in my signature but it gets the idea across.)

Back when I rode motorcycles exclusively, I used to give a wave to other riders. Got them back 60 to 75% of the time. I understand it can be disheartening but I kept it up. So I was thrilled to see that MINI drivers gives waves (sometimes) too.

Ted.

 

If I ever leave Ohio and find myself around Marina Del Rey I'll watch out for Smirk

I'll wave as we approach, I'll wave as you go by and I'll even wave my hand.

 

Can't wait, I'll be on the lookout! I'm in MDR fairly often but live in Glendale.

 

I'll wave if you're ever around the Hampton roads area

Tons of 1st gen minis in Norfolk....they never wave back! I don't think they know I'm a mini

My neighbor has a clubman...she waves...but then again..she's my neighbor!! Maybe I should wave twice...one for the mini and two for being my neighbor!

 

[QUOTE=daffodildeb;3567414]Rather than stop waving...


If you have Xenon headlights... [QUOTE]


Don't get me wrong Epeel and Daffodil. You haven't lost me yet. I still wave at someone, now that I think about it, almost every day. I guess the small percentage of returns are what make me think twice. I'll just think of it as a kind of initiation to the club!

The headlight flash is a good thought. I've often thought there should be a mod for the headlights so you can "wink" at people.

I'll keep motoring and waving for sure.

 

I always thought it would be cool if MINI's were able to sense other MINI's and automatically flash, or blink at each other!! Maybe someday!