Spent three days in the Hamptons over the long weekend. Saw at least 50 MINIs......I was waving and flashing my lights like crazy and only TWO waved back!!!!!!!!

What gives?? My wife was like, "Stop doing it....no one even cares!!!"

But I'll still keep on waving!!!

 

Keep on Waving!

Motor to Colorado Springs, we wave all the time. Tell your wife its just part of the MINI lifestyle. You just got to do it.

 

I too feel sometimes that waving is dead, but then you get someone who waves back and it makes it all worthwhile. Just think, you might be the person who restores faith in someone else just when they were going to quit.

I just flash a wave to the MINIs I see as a way of saying "represent!" If they don't see or don't wave back, no loss. You still got to wave at their MINI!

I used to have a Jeep and the waving was just as inconsistent, but still fun.

 

I wave whenever possible, or flash the high-beams, or toot the horn! I would say about 50% of the time I get a friendly acknowledgement. Not too bad, considering there are about 8+ dealerships in the greater SoCal area!

 

Do you know these people you wave at?

Just kidding!

When a car model is relatively new and still exists in small numbers, you're more likely to belong to an exclusive community that waves. When the same car becomes very popular, it brings in a large pool of non-enthusiasts, many of whom just get stumped that they get waved at by a total stranger. In the Chrysler Prowler, for example, you're likely to receive waves from other Prowler owners, but in a BMW 325i, you're likely to be thought of as a stalker or a freak, at best.

In any case, come to the Bay Area, California. I'll make it a point to throw a wave at you!

 

I waved at 8 MINIs today and got 0 back--these were head on--I see you coming, hand out the window--Hey What's Up???-----$%#^#^$% thanks for making me feel like a fool you non waver.

I go into a wave knowing full well this person isn't likely to respond so oh well, I get to stretch my arm out for a moment.

 

Since August, I've only had two people wave back at me. The other 10 times, I think I might of been going by too fast for them to see me wave at them!

I hope it's not dead, it's just a good feeling when someone waves back.

 

Richard, whenever I drive on Centinela, I see at least 3 or more MINIs within a very short time! If I can catch the other MINI drivers' eyes, they generally smile back at the silly lady waving at them!

I get lots of thumbs-up and nods from motorcyclists and folks in classic British cars.

 

Oh, it's highly dependent on where you are of course. Costco Marina is an example of such a place that I've never gotten waves, only confused looks, also Sunset from PCH through Pacific Palisades through Santa Monica has very few wavers as well.

 

Oh well, those must be the folks who bought off the lot and have no clue that the MINI community and sites exist!

 

It's funny. I was on a cruise for the past week in Hawaii, and of course I brought all my MINI t-shirts with me. One day this elderly guy walks up to me, "You work for MINI?"

I say "Nope, just an obsessed enthusiast"

He says "I just got a MINI Cooper --pauses for effect and says "S" with a smile--Convertible. You know the best part about it?"

I say "Hmm, no?"

"I got it for FREE! My son bought it for me"
"You know I can get more than 200 HP with that JCW thing???"

I say "Yep! Congratulations! Are you on NAM---or any MINI forums?"

"Naww, I don't have time for that crap, I just love to drive. I don't want to talk about my car. I have better things to do with my time!"

He walks me over to his wife and smiles to her, "Meet Richard, he owns a MINI."

"Oooh that's nice! Did you know WE have a MINI Cooper Convertible??"
She leans close to me and gives me this sly smile
"It's an S"
Expecting me to be wowed, I say "Yes, that's a nice car"
She says "Do you know what the best thing about it is??"
"Uhm, that you got it for free???
"Yep!"

LOL, I was cracking up.

 

Take a look in the Chicago MINI Spottings thread I've pointed out well over a hundred MINIs in the area since the end of spring only 3 are NAM members.

Thats a neat story Octance Guy.

 

Great story, Richard! They sound like a cute couple.

 

Yeah that's a funny story. I have mine on order and when I get it, I will be sure to wave every single time!

 

With more and more people driving a MINI with an auto tranny they have no excuse not to wave

 

Well between talking on the cell, eating and workin the tunes.....geez you'd think they'd have no prob waving. I mean come on....!

 

I've had the same "no wave" response near Allentown, PA. I don't understand it.

I own a motorcycle, and used to own a Jeep. I actually get sick of the waving; it's not like they are rare or something...

 

I wave at EVERY MINI I see and have enough time to wave at. Sure this is tough on the tollway but on surface roads always. When I was on MTTS I waved like crazy at all kinds of cars as I passed them and as they passed me.

 

Yeah!! I hope everyone will keep waving, I know I do!

 

Still alive in the Pacific NW . More often than not I get a wave/flash back and most show some interest.

 

I'm a High beam Flasher, my windows are dark and I'm not sure people can see me wave.

As someone eluded to a lot of the newer buyers are not in touch with the MINI community like some of us earlier buyers. Some of them are younger people and think what's that ole'man waving at me for?
If taking a pole most of these non~wavers would probably not even know of this site or any Mini sites for that matter.
Just my $0.02 worth.

Come to Oklahoma where the wind comes sweeping down the plains and the WAVING MINI's will sure be sweet when the wind comes right behind the rain.

Batman

 

I would be one of those crazy wavers though we haven't actually crossed paths...


Same here Blake!!! Always such great fun!!!


Unfortunately, since I've changed my work schedule slightly, I haven't crossed any MINIs during my commute lately But I'm definitely a waver

 

Long Live Wavers!

I always wave, even if I think they see me or not.

 

Since getting the car I've seen several minis around town. One Saturday we counted six just between our house and the mall. I have only gotten one wave... from a nice LY that shared a stoplight with me. Everyone else ignores the waves... well except for the guy that gave me the finger... he was doing about 95 mph during rush hour and everyone was getting his signature "wave" from him if they dared to be doing only 70 in the 60 zone. I can do without that kind of wave.

I think that many people are not enthusiasts, they are just drivers.

 

MINIs have become so ubiquitous here that no-one waves anymore I guess they all think I'm nuts for waving....