At least that's what it seemed like. In retrospect, I should probably give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she was just having a bad day, but here's the story.

I was filling up at the corner gas station when I saw a 'cool blue' MCSc coming around the corner. It pulled into the gas station and pulled up at the pump across from me, next to my car. I expected to exchange a grin and a thumbs-up with the smiling driver, but she wasn't smiling. She had a rather stern expression on her face and studiously avoided eye contact. I thought that was kind of strange and glanced over a couple of times but it was clear that she didn't want to acknowledge me. So, I gased up and went on my way.

Weird... two MINIs right next to each other and she didn't smile, wave, nothin'. I'd been on a great drive with 20 fellow MINI owners and members of NORCAL MINIs the previous day, so this seemed particularly strange, in contrast.

I'm an gray-haired old man, and she was a young blond gal. She might have even gotten her MINI as a graduation gift from Dad, which could be part of the story. I'm guessing that either:

A: She thought the old geezer wanted to flirt with her, in which case she was overestimating the appeal of both of us.

B: She was worried she'd look un-cool in the same gas station with an old person driving the same type of car that she had.

In either case, I thought it was too bad she wasn't just into enjoying the car, and sharing that enjoyment with another MINI driver.

Its the first time I've had this kind of experience with a fellow MINI owner, but I suppose that as MINI owership becomes more common, its bound to happen.

 

Thats weird, especially at a gas station. To some people its just a car I guess! Or - some people are just snooty.

I had a different situation the other day. I had gone for a short drive and on the way back into town I noticed a blue MC behind me. An older woman was behind the wheel and when I caught her looking I put my arm out the window and waved. She started to wave back and then looked around quickly to see if I was waving at someone else. So I looked at her in the mirror and waved again. This time she broke out in a big smile and waved again. Now that was fun.

 

Women travelling alone typically don't respond to good will "Motoring" gestures, specially from males and most specially from older ones.

Very few actually do. I understand their safety concerns and don't blame them. Basically, there are too many nutsos loose in the world and they don't know whether you are or are not one of them

Also, it seems to me Cabrio owners are not too much into the hand gesture thing. The majority of them don't seem to be into the "Motoring" thing, not all but the great majority.

 

It's just a car to some people- my girlfriend doesn't exchange waves, thumbs-up, or even glances with fellow Jetta owners. I hate to admit it but MINIs are so common now that I don't even bother unless they are obviously an enthusiast as may be evident by aftermarket goodies and/or personalized plates, etc.

 

It depends where you live. Here in Miami you see anywhere between 20-60 MINIs a day. They are extremely common here and you can't tell that the newer crop of owners are either into them or just like the car but are not interested in exploring the social and "Cult" aspect of it. They outflat refuse to join any clubs, etc.

But in many parts of this vast country, MINIs are still very rare sights, so it will be a very long time before MINIs become as widespread as Honda Civics.

 

I hope Minis never become as common as Honda Civics, That is exactally why I traded mythey are just like A**holes everyone has one. Where I live Minis are still a rare sight, and I have people come up and smile, One older gentleman saw me at the post office and when he came out he broke into a big grin, came over to the drivers side and told me all about the Mini he owned years ago. He said they used to take it out in the snow and spin brodys,it was great to see him re-live his younger days because he saw my Mini, made us both smile. So too bad about the snooty ones but oh well to each his own.

Sandie

 

I beg your pardon It's easier to wave from a Cabrio than it is from a hardtop. I've had experience in both. I also happen to be female & I wave at all MINI drivers. Young & old. Male & female. Most Cabrio drivers I am acquainted with motor just as well as hardtop MINI drivers & we get to feel the wind in our hair & work on our suntans while doing so. Please don't make generalized statements about your topless brothers & sisters

Lois

 

I am surprised by how many Mini owner's I wave at - and they act like they don't see me. Maybe they don't! But I don't know how you can miss another Mini... I always spot other Mini's and wave. Many wave back... but I would say more ignore the road friendlyness. Maybe they've been driving in Southern California too long.

 

I will go weeks without seeing another MINI. Then I'll go weeks where I see them everywhere, everyday. Some appear happy, some appear sad. Some wave, some don't. It's a crapshoot. :smile:

I know that when I'm in my MINI, no matter what crappy thing has happened that day, I cheer up and my problems fly away! Not all people have that same attitude, and some just see it as a car. We see it as a ride (at least, thats why were all here right?)

 

There is an older woman I see everyday on my drive into work, and on my way home in an IB/B MC. I waved the first few times, and never got a response. So I just stopped waving.
And oh yeah, I am a woman, usually driving alone and I do wave.

 

I don't think most young, privileged urban persons feel comfortable acknowledging strangers. Perhaps they don't feel it is yet their community so why play host/hostess in public. Or they know they are in transition and will be elsewhere, a far far better place, in future, so why waste time on an older person who is stuck here. Or maybe they are afraid to catch whatever it is older people have--geezeritis. So uncool. And yet if you have the same or compatible dog...

 

Fortunately there are more people that are happy and fun loving than there are stick-in-the-mud types.

 

Most of the MINI drivers I see that don't wave back are "younger women" & I happen to be one of those "older women" who always waves. I think it has nothing to do with gender, age, Cabrio or not, or whatever. Some of us love our MINIs and are very friendly & wave and then there are the other ones

Lois

 

That's wierd b/c I had a similar experience today with the exception that I was driving. I was at a red light and I saw a young lady driving a p/w Mini S. Once My light turned green I cought up to her and slowly pulled along side of her. I tooted the horn and waved and she looked at me like what the heck is he doing. I've never gotten that response from another mini driver. Usually ppl can't believe that there is another mini in my town. I've only seen like 6 total in the last 2 years. I figured she was havin a bad day also. o well. We all get those.

 

I am a woman who waves and smiles at any MINI I see. Here in San Diego, those that wave back are rare, unfortunately. I must just be seeing the wrong people. For the record, I yell "MINI!!!" every time I see one, whether they are going the opposite way one the freeway, or pull up next to one at a stop light. Sometimes I think my enthusiasm might scare the "normals" away

I am so happy to acknowledge other MINI drivers or anyone who wants to engage in conversation. then again, I am from Philadelphia originally, so maybe I lack the SoCal attitude

MINI!!!!!

Carol

 

Some people apparently have "issues" which, even if only situational, seem to overshadow the obvious fact that they are driving a MINI and at least should be having SOME fun! Its hard to understand that level of self-absorption which doesn't even allow time for basic kindness and well-wishing. Sad, sad, sad...and even a bit scary. But, you're right....best to give her the benefit of the doubt rather than get depressed over the deplorable state of humanity.

I've gotten to where I wave at neighborhood MGBs, Sunbeams, Midgets, and EVEN Beetles simply because the occupants seem to be getting some enjoyment out of motoring.

 

I used to wave but no one ever has waved back so I kinda quit waving because it made me look stupid.

 

The best is when little kids wave and jump up and down:smile:I always toot my horn and give them a wave
Kids know a good thing when they see one

 

I guess I've been real lucky. I not only get waves back from other MINI owners, but as more and more show up in town (pop. approx 135K), we all know about one another.

A co-worker says, "There's a red MINI down the street from me!". I ask her if it has a black roof and, hearing that it does, I know instantly that it's CYNMNI. Or the BRG with black roof is the gal at City Planning, or the new BRG Cabrio is the nice woman who shops at BB&B. Or the Orange Cabrio that sometimes is aside me going to the freeway on the way to work. Or the silver One owned by a Brit with a beagle. I know, you get the point.

It's a small (MINI) world and we should never stop waving in an effort to solicit response. To some, it may be just a car, but we all know there's nothing in the world like it.

So all you Cabrio owners, stick your hands high in the air when a MINI approaches, and proudly shout, "Woo Hoo"!

All you Coup owners, honk and stick your hand out your window and shake it madly!

I'LL wave back, I promise!

 

I wave enthusiastically at all the MINI folk I see! Sometimes they don't see me in time, sometimes they seem to want to avoid eye-contact, but if I can catch their eyes, they generally wave back. :smile:

Clover

 

I never thought I'd be contributing to a "wave/not wave" thread ....

But then again I do wave to women of all shapes/sizes/ages in MINIs (not to mention the men that get waves/flashes (the HEADlights, you pervs) from Tatt as well)...

Whatever, there's no reason not to be friendly. No reason to STOP bein' friendly based on folks' responses, either!

I'm on the same page as Diva regarding enthusiasm - you Go Girl!, if you show up in Chicago I'm WAVIN' at YOU!

I'm on the same page as jds, regarding waving @ MG's, Bugs, ie folks that maybe actually derive some fun from their particular machine. There's an MGBGT in my neighborhood, painted BRITISH RACING GREEN for real... It makes my day to spot him.

My only "beef" is that every MC/MCS is always zoomin' by so quickly...

Keep on waving, and to the thread-originator, I'm sorry about snooty people in general, and in your case in particular. They sort of "come with the house", and we are tolerant, forgiving, and patient with them, as needed.

Tatt

 

Carol: That is so funny. My dear spouse and I do exactly the same thing--and we don't even have our MINI yet! I'm glad you wave. This is truly a special car, and those who don't get it probably deserve to have a crack in their windscreens!

 

I contributed to a similar thread like this last year. I live in S.F. No one waves at me here and I don't either at them either unless it's an enthusiast and the car is modded. My car is pretty much stock but does have aftermarket wheels. The last wave I received was from a person with a MCC in San Mateo. She waved and we waved back. It was fun.

Kinda sad but Minis so common here and the owners are so indifferent. But that's life.

 

My apologies to all the women wavers in this thread and the Cabrio owners.


Again, re-read the post. Most women (not all) and most cabrio owners (Not all) don't seem to like or care waving at other MINI owners for whatever reasons. Some women (and men) feel intimidated by this kind of interaction with total strangers and I can see why.

I hate to generalize but I ended up doing so anyway. My experience with most cabrio woners here in Miami is that they don't wave back and if they see you they look at you as some Martian or something. Thi sis also true of some hardtop owners as well but nothing is perfect I guess.

 

I have a great story about this too. For the first 6 months after driving my Mini I only seen other Mini drivers when I went to Mini group meetings. Then They started popping up so then I started trying to wave at other drivers. Well I see that I'm about 50/50 on waves back. But here is a good part.

About a month ago I was going down this curvy road and saw a Mini coming my way. I started waving and so did he but as we got up next to every other we forgot to drive and almost hit one another because we were trying so hard to make sure we saw one another. As he went on pass he had a smile on his face and so did I.