Hi, NorCal/East Bay Folks!

Well, I have been enjoying my MCS for 3 smile-packed weeks, and I feel as though I'm still really learning how the car drives, especially the front-wheel drive aspect.

Anyhoo, there is a little something I have noticed when driving around Pleasanton (where I've spent most of my life). It seems like about only one third of other MINI owners will wave or even look at you, but when I'm in other cities around the Bay, I get more waves. When I do get a wave in P-Town, it's often a little awkward, as if to say, "Oh, yeah, you have a MINI, too . . . And? . . ."

Is it just me, or is the MINI becoming just another car you see people driving, or is something about Pleasanton owners? Do I need to just 'grow up and start acting like an adult'?

Any thoughts, comments?

Thanks, all.

 

Many of us have experienced a growing problem with this matter--known as MAR syndrome (MINI Acknowledgement Response). It has become endemic in cosmopolitan urban areas--especially in MSRP+ territories.

Perhaps the only cure is for those who ignore MINIs to "grow up and start acting like an adult". This infantile (and atavistic) trait to ignore or disdain others' acts of friendliness has been spreading throughout our overbooked me-first society.

Having driven my MINI for 1.5 weeks and 167 miles mostly in San Francisco and the peninsula I experienced only 2 MINI drivers who waved back (both smiling in convertibles). However I did catch myself (too late) not initiating a wave to the driver of an original looking Mini 2 days ago.

 

I'd wave if I saw you but I'm not in Pleasanton often. Hmmm maybe the Minis you see going around are people doing test drives from East Bay Mini and they don't know about waving?

 

Hey Johnny, if you see me wave,, I will definately wave back.. I always do with other mini owners regardless of the response.
Patrick
BRG/black top with superman logo on rear.
Keep a look out!! Peace!

 

....The problem is, sometimes I don't see them until they've already passed me. Just happened last week a MINI with tag CRZY MTRS or something like that passed me on 580W and flashed a peace sign. I was busy jamming to my music and was not able to respond in time. Felt bad.

There are quite of few MINIs in the Bay Area, I try to wave or honk whenever I see one and just blow it off when I'm not acknowledged (more often than not).

 

I've noticed that this happens all over the place. The folks that are on this board waive, but the ones that don't waive are not posting on here. Waiving should be in the contract when you sign to pickup the car.

The folks in Sacramento are horrible about waiving. I never get waives.

 

I live in SF and in one year I've gotten three waves and most don't even look although I did have one gentleman honk and I didn't realize it until later on. I honked back but it might have been too late. One fellow nodded his head so is almost like a wave.

I do flash my headlights so if you see that, it's me! Or my clone.

 

It really helps to swerve in front of them or nearly side-swipe them to get their attention

 

Maybe we need to have a drive by waving session in P-town so people get it right. But I admittedly have passed by other mini's and not waved because I just forgot too.

 

Yeah, I don't know. To me, there is a responsibility to wave at other MINI owners. Hopyard and Santa Rita are very wide Boulevards, so I reckon folks can't see as well. BUT HOW COME i CAN SEE THEM????

Thanks to all who acknowlege! I always flash my lights twice. You'll see me . . .

Peace, y'all . . .

 

If or when I am down in the area, I will also make my attempts. I always do, but you may see me.

 

Hey!

I live in Castro Valley and spend lot's of time "over the hill" in Pleasanton. So if you see me and I see you, I'll be waving!


Jim Williams

 

Okay, Jim! I'll be lookin' for ya!

BTW, great wheels!

 

Hey! Thanks!!
Hope to see ya soon.
Jim

 

Hyper Blue with black top... see you around town!

-john

 

I'm up in Sacramento also but I get waves all the time. Must have something to do with me living .75 miles from the Mini Dealer and driving past it 2-4 times a day...

As far as Pleasanton, I grew up in Hayward but spent most of my time in Castro Valley or Pleasanton. Back then, the only place more snobbish than Pleasanton is the neighbor to the north Danville.

Keep waving.. For no other reason than it will make a new owner happy if they see it.