Lack of a wave. Yup, that's right. No wave. I live in Phoenix (Cave Creek, really), and have noticed lately that there are MINI owners who don't wave back at me. I know my tint's dark, but even when I flash my lights sometimes I don't get a response. Is this happening elsewhere? I think it's the difference between MINI ownership and MINI enthusiasm. What do you guys think?

 

Hard to say as there are not so many around my area. I guess that this might happen as you get owners who dont surf these forums and arent "into it" like some of us here are.

 

I like to flick the lights and then wave. Sometimes I get a response, other times, not. Maybe they are looking elsewhere and don't see us. Maybe we should cross over the line and get right up in their grill! Then we can pay for body work and probably some psychiatric sessions, but I bet they will acknowledge us then! Who's with me? eh?
OK, going to check back in to the insane asylum now. They let me park my MINI below my window. One day I will get to drive it again.
Let's never speak of this...

 

It's true, these days people don't always wave. Some want to keep private, some want to not attract attention or be too forward, some don't know any better and need to lighten up.

If you find me in my MINI and wave I will always wave back.

Heck, in the "big city" you don't even say good morning to people as you walk by them.

If' I'm walking along the beach going for a walk in the early morning I'd say good morning to whomever I passed.

 

The apparent trend in people not waving is a very sad thing to see. My opinion?......wave all you want and don't hold back because 1) friendliness is a really good thing; and 2) there are still plenty of MINIacs out there just yearning for a good wave, flash of lights, and a chance to share our MINI-enthusiasm w/ another owner.

If things get desperate, join a local enthusiast's group. MINI's are about fun and you're entitled to your fair share!

 

If I ever see another MINI while I'm driving my MINI. I'll wave.

Very unusual to see a MINI anywhere around my town.

R.E.

 

Wave,if they don't wave back,wave again,by then they won't have seen the wave,but at least you waved,wave as much as you can,be friendly,wave

 

:smile: If my hands are free, I always wave at other MINI motorists! Nothing like getting that gleeful grin back!


Clo/Wanda

 

I know second post in a row, but I get waves from all kinds of folks,they may be driving,biking,walking,I wave back,it's fun:l ol::l ol::l ol::l ol::l ol:

 

We live in S.F. and there are tons of Minis here. Only three people have acknowledged us..and all three waved first...and all women!:smile: I tend to flash my headlights instead of waving because I leave one hand on the steering wheel and one on the shifter. Safer that way..

 

Who cares Some people aren't as enthusiastic about their cars, you make it sound like it's such a big deal

 

It's just this easy

 

Sorry to take this off-subject, but where did you get the idea that one hand on the wheel and another on the gear shift was safer? Seriously, every driving school I have attended has said to get the hand *back* on the wheel, in the 9/3 or 10/2 position as quickly after shifting as possible unless multiple shifts are needed back to back. e.g. downshifting for a corner but not accelerating up the straight. If you are thinking you might need to change gears in an emergency, forget about it. Just push the clutch pedal in. And there is hardly a need for an unanticipated and quick upshift or downshift. If there is, you aren't paying attention. Please keep two hands on the wheel unless waving at another Mini.

p.s. I don't know if this is true, but my Dad always told me not to rest my hand on the shift **** because it causes undue wear on the transmission. He may be right, or perhaps it is just potential stretching/wear of the shift linkage.

p.p.s. We can also take this further off subject by discussing driving position. Have you ever seen those drivers, mostly suburban kids now, that drive with the seat reclined way back, and the hand is just draped over the wheel? Talk about unsafe! Buckle up America, but don't say anything about this!

 

^ How incredibly ironic! (that MINI ad that Tuls posted...I'm not going to quote the whole giant picture again)

How ironic that BMW/MINI should draw attention to the fact that waving might be decreasing, when the "diminishing wave" phenomenom is obviously linked to the overall increase in the number of MINI drivers. As has been pointed out already, this is about a decrease in "enthusiasm" and not necessarily a decrease in "friendliness". As there are more owners, there are fewer enthusiasts...and no doubt more owners who are driving cars vs. obsessions.

If MINI really wanted to insure more waving, they could stop selling cars and thereby keep the "community" small. Or they could continue at their present pace of adding an extra 30,000 new members (in the US) each year. I suspect it can't be both ways.

Personally, I wave. But it's getting ridiculous how many times a day I do it lately. Sooner or later, this too will stop.

 

We have been driving our MINI for about 6 weeks, and so far only one person did not wave at us. Maybe she didn't see us.

When we picked up Union Jack at Niello MINI, we got our first wave only about a block away from the dealership. It was cool.

Don't be afraid to wave, or at least give a peace sign, honk or headlight flash!

 

I think it is safe to say that the only reason that Mini is going to offer an automatic transmisssion in the S model is to free up a hand for waving.

Perhaps we need someone to manufacture one of those plastic hands on a spring and suction cup that is always waving to be put on the inside of the driver's window. Then everyone would be happy........with a suitable driving glove of course......

 

Sadly in the DC area this isn't a new trend, it's been happening for the past year.

Granted when I'm actually paying attention to what the cars are that surround me I tend to flash my brights instead of waving, but I at least acknowledge the MINIs I see, when I see them...

 

Around here there are lots of folks who bought MINIs early on for the "trend factor" These people are not gereally inclined to wave becouse they are pissed that they aren't the cool trend setter they thought they were. that is just my oppinion/guess, I could be wrong. At any rate, though I do not yet have my MINI I still wave at as many MINIs/minis as possible. I really don't care if I get a response from the driver, I just wave at the car and I am quite sure the poor mini with the unenthusiastic owner appriciates the gesture.

 

First of all, have you ever driven in the streets S.F.? If not, you need to step off your soapbox because you would have known that there is a stop sign almost every block or every other block and barely can reach speeds of 20 mph and that it's simply stupid to keep moving your hands back and forth when you have shift that frequently at low speeds. I make no mention of driving at track speeds or canyon driving. So while driving in BFE driving with two hands on the wheel is a great idea but here in the city it's just retarded. I don't question the value of your statements but they don't apply to my situation. I could wave with my shifter hand but I was referring to taking my one hand off the steering wheel so I just flash my headlights.

As far as wearing out transmissions, I have no idea what your dad is talking about, and it doesn't apply to me. I have my hand around the shifter..I've never seen anyone rest his/her hand on the shifter in any manner that could wear out any part of the transmission or linkage. Maybe, if someone sat on the shifter.. while driving.

And I agree with driving with the seats reclined...what's that all about.

 

I find it interesting that non mini owners are the most enthusiatic about seeing a Mini. But I'll continue to flash other Minis so their drivers know I am not a jaded but a newbie owner.:smile:

 

A senior couple was staring at our Lexus the other day. They liked it and asked me a few questions about it. Who would have though that. Oh, and I liked it.

 

LOL I think they should start interview people who want to buy one...LOL...you know like adopting a kid...

 

Ethusiasts wave. Others' minds are on something else.

Godspeed.

 

I try and wave at others in Mini's in Chicago... but as usual most people are not very interested in waving back. I think it is a bi city thing. Miata people (my old car...) wave at each other all the time!

 

Back in the early 1950's when any sports car was a rarity, drivers used to wave all the time. It didn't matter make - Jags waved at MGs who waved at Austin Healeys who even waved at Corvettes. As these car became more common the tradition went the way of the leather driving gloves.

More recently I had a '99 Corvette and other Vette pilots (mostly men, but not always) would share a wave. Apparently the Corvette enthusiasts (many of whom are old enough to remember the 50's) wanted to keep the spirit alive. I'm one of them. Always made some effort to acknowledge Corvettes and now, other Minis - flash lights, wave, thumbs up. No horns, of course. I've noticed that its mostly men who wave back and its mostly "S" drivers as compared to Coopers. (No flames please!!) Now the corollary to that is that most of the Coopers I've seen are piloted by younger women; the MCS by guys, and many of them show some mods. So I guess the conclusion is that real enthusiasts wave, and the others, well maybe they just like the style of the car.