As I pulled up to the bakery this morning to get my breakfast, parked out front was a MINI almost just like mine. It was nice and clean, no dings, no dents ...and heck, it was a MINI, so I parked next to it with no worries. Normally I park pretty far away at this place.

When I came out the woman in the MINI had opened her door far enough to contact my front wheel arch. Thankfully it was just the arch, so nothing happened. I looked at her, she looked at me, I looked at her door, she looked at her door, I looked back at her, she closed the door and drove away.

I guess she didn't know the MINI code of ethics.

dean.

 

I'd guess that the MINI sub-culture is only embraced by 30% of MINI owners...probably less. Most have never heard of NAM. Some wouldn't even be caught dead here. Same w/ waving. There are MINI owners and MINI enthusiasts....we are MINI enthusiasts. However, that does not mean a MINI owner doesn't absolutely love driving a MINI. On some level we can all relate (you can count on that) but we must not expect everyone to be lunatics like we are.

 

You are probably right.

Still, MINI owner, MINI enthusiast, or not ...it really bugs me when folks just fling their doors open without considering where they will end up.

dean.

 

To further the point, on my way home, a chili-red MCS with white top, bonnet stripes, and driving lights came up behind me going faster than I...
I moved over and waved as they went by... nothing.
Stony-faced "get-outta-my-way" expression.

 

350 miles yesterday, saw 6 minis, waved 5 times, one return. 3 construction workers in a work zone pointed at the MCS and the largest one said "cool car" while the other 2 nodded, got 2 thumbs up from kids in other cars and a pretty girl smiled at me (while talking on her cellphone and bovinely chewing gum, ugh). Not a bad day of motoring.

At least it was the wheel arch, consider it a Mini kiss and move on... not everyone is as enthusiastic about transportation devices as most here at NAM!

 

It is starting to get that way with Jeeps. I drove around last weekend in my wrangler and waived at all the newer jeeps and none waived back, consider it as just waiving to the car or jeep

 

That was a good day!

On Wednesday I was getting into my car and a woman that I am guessing was about 65 or so jumped out of her Ford F-150 and came running up to me.

Her: How do you like your car?

Me: I love it.

Her: I always wanted one of the original ones like the one that what's her name drove in the Italian job.

Me: Yeah, those are way cool ...and even smaller than mine.

Her: Well, you don't want a puddle jumper to be too big. Yup, I've got to 'git me one of these. Cool car.

Cool car ...cool lady. She was a hoot.

dean.

 

I live in Monterrey Mexico ... got my mini recently... first few days used to wave.. 0 returns... just stopped after feeling like a *******.... I used to be a "punisher" at the wheel though... crazy driver like anyone else here.. since I got my mini I just decided to be the nice guy that lets you pass.... anyone from monterrey? anyone waving?

 

If you had made a comment like "nice car" or something, you might have persuaded another MINI driver to join the culture. Who knows what might have happened (especially if she was good looking).

In anycase, as our cars have become more and more popular, fewer owners feel there is a need for such a sub-culture. It's a shame, really.

 

Seems people are either more self-absorbed and/or more fearful these days. Lots of reasons for this, some good some not so good.

 

I've probably talked to 15 to 18 MINI owners in parking lots, gas stations, at intersections, etc. I'd say only 3 of them were Enthusiasts and loved talking MINIs with me.

It's a shame that some people have great taste but don't even understand it.

 

I've had more conversations with non-owners who were enthusiastic about the car...

 

Gotta agree some wave most don't, my husband thinks I am nuts for all the wave...just gotta have fun with it. I would not have been happy at all to be dinged....and eye to eye contact...the nerve!!

 

well something else you might consider..
not everyone is happy in their life.. and you might have just caught her off guard.. or she could have been having a real crap moment, and you happened to see her kiss your car with her door.. oops!
you can drive off with the knowledge that at this point in your life you are a happy lil mini bunny.. if at first you dont succeed try and try again..
come find the union jackee.. we will smile wave and hoot and hollar atcha

 

She didn't even wave?

I have found in that awkward moment when your eyes meet there's a chance to change the encounter with a friendly comment (like...I think it will be OK, when she hit your car...and then you'll both look). It could have been different.

 

someone needs to come up with a "Dont be an *** and wave" sticker.. hahahaha j/k

*** = SUV of course... hahahah :-P

 

Often it's Mini owners...

Today I waved at three Minis and got NO waves back...I waved at three Pick-ups and got two waves...go figure!

 

hhahah...maybe we should JUST wave at anyone and everyone til they think we are just crazy...we can start a happy to own a mini-tude!

 

That works for me!

 

Ooook but I pick last to drink the Koolaid of this waving cult :-P

 

Sorry ladies, but i find most women MINI drivers to be this way, they drive it because it is cute, not because it is a MINI, and its a blast to drive. Not all of them are like this so please dont start a flame war over this ladies. I have two very good female friends that drive MINIs not because that are cute but because they are MINIs.

I have a feeling I am gonna regret this post

 

But I thought we drank together...and slept together?

 

This lady would have to agree, my husband wanted me to have a (gulp) SUV. I wanted a MINI he did not know anything about their safety. Thus we went shopping, and after a few spins I was not going home without my MINI. I have yet to name it. But I now highly recommend the car for fun, driving ease and it is just a great car. I did initially buy for the cuteness factor....but my next one is the S....bring on the tickets

 

Nahh HAWG its all cool... you just get to drink the koolaid first :-) The ladies made it :-D

 

come on now...the ladies made what..men great ?