Thread: Where's the Defender wave gone?

To quote a fellow club member just down the road from the point of origin - Solihul

(Bit long winded, but a good read!) (PS apologies if it's been posted before - this is a long thread!)

If you drive a Series Landy or a Defender, you know about “The Wave”. “The Wave” is your rolling connection to the Landrover brother & sisterhood, but is there a special secret to this wave?
When you started driving did you seek out a wave master and perhaps copy theirs, or did you develop one of your own? Have you ever wondered if you’re wave is appropriate? Do you wonder if the wave you’re flashing is politically correct, or old and outdated? Unfortunately, wave training is not covered in the basic or advanced driving lessons.

Many drivers believed there was a secret wave society formed around 1947 when that first prototype rolled out of that shed, but there wasn’t.
It all started, one day late in the summer of 1948, when Maurice Wilks passed by Spencer Wilks and they waved. Well, another Landrover owner saw the two "Kings of Landys" doing this and thought this was a Landrovering necessity and the tradition was born.
The waving tradition continued on through the years and became haphazard. There were Landy owners doing the “Bye Grandma Wave”, others doing the "Howdy Wave" and still others doing the extremely feminine “Princess Wave". In 1958 with the release of the Series II, and after several years of these, image destroying gestures, a group of crusty old Landy owners decided to put some proper waving rules in place and formed the Wave Hard And True - Landy Society. Abbreviated: WHAT-LS or "wattles"

To wave or not to wave, that is the question. We’ve all faced that critical mass state when we felt obligated to wave but then became unsure.
The worrying starts and then there’s that overwhelming feeling of guilt. Well, worry no more; here are some general waving rules to help guide you :
1) Motorway; unnecessary,
2) in a curve; unnecessary
3) in the rain or at night; unnecessary
4) on a mellow two lane; proper.
5) a highway with little traffic; proper
6) A rally, unnecessary
7) in traffic, proper.

There are, however, times when not waving is just down right rude. So if you’re not a jackass, when you are presented with “The Wave” you should, if at all possible, reciprocate. If it’s the proper place and time and you receive no reciprocal wave, don’t get your panties in a bunch and think you’ve just passed a jackass, because there are some acceptable reasons.

These reasons are as follows:
1) you weren’t seen,
2) Gear selection,
3) a head nod was substituted.

There are 5 basic waves
1) the right-handed forward wave.
2) the right-handed low wave,
3) the right-handed high wave
4) the right-handed out of the window wave
5) the left-handed I've just changed gear wave,

The variations of these waves are as varied as the Landy owners & the Landy's they drive, but there are some basic rules.

1) Right-handed forward wave is an all around general wave. The arm can be either fully or partially extended with no more than a 10 degree angle higher or lower than the shoulder. The palm must be facing the oncoming driver in either a horizontal or vertical position and a full palm must be shown. It is suggested you present the hand in a relaxed state, as flattening it will make you look like a dork. The classic variations of the peace sign or thumbs up are also acceptable. If practiced, this is one of the easiest waves to master and will work with all Landy's. If for some reason you can’t get this wave to work, you will probably have serious problems engaging or even finding diff lock and should immediately sell your Landy before you cause yourself anymore embarrassment!

2) Right-handed low wave, sometimes called the classic wave. The arm is partially extended and the hand kept down just above the steering wheel with the extension of either one, two, three or five fingers. The direction of the palm is also critical to the look and feel of this wave. The palm must either face the other driver or face the road. A classic variation of the finger positioning is throwing a peace sign or thumbs up. To low wave with the palm facing up or back and/or with the use of 4 fingers is telling the Landrovering community at large that you are either new or inept. If you have a series landy or Defender and can’t get this wave to work for you, then consider the Right-Handed forward wave or selling your Landy.

3) Right-handed high wave is a variation of the typical wave seen made by kings and kids alike. Mostly used by drivers with soft tops. The elbow is kept even or slightly lower than shoulder height. The elbow should be bent at about a 75 – 85 degree angle with a slight forward angling of the forearm. The palm must be facing the oncoming driver and the hand can either remain still or the use of a side to side motion is acceptable. This wave has been proven very useful when you have a loose watchband. It is suggested you present the hand in a relaxed state, as once again, flattening it will make you appear to be a dork. The classic variations of the peace sign or thumbs up are frowned upon when using this type of wave. it’s a bit too over the top. Important: This should never, ever be used when still holding the steering wheel. Warning of possible injury: Do not use this type of wave if your in a hard top or a soft top with the roof still on. You will appear aloof, snobbish and everyone will hate you! If you have a medical condition or feel you must use this type of wave, get a soft top and don’t be a dick about it. There are rules!

4) Right-handed out of the window wave. This is an occasional use wave. Typically seen being employed during the summer months. The arm maybe fully or partially extended in fact very similar to the right-handed forward wave. But on no account must the arm be too high or the hand moved from side to side. Done correctly the general message being sent is “I am cool and damn it, It's hot, isn't it?”. This wave if not executed correctly can be uncool. This lack of coolness can cause a temporary condition known as “Dickishness” which can be instantly healed by passing a Landy giving the right hand forward wave.

5) Left-handed wave. This wave is solely used by drivers who are caught short seeing a Landy just as they change gear because, let’s face it, what the hell else can they do in that position? A flashed wave, is almost imperceptible due to the speed of the wave and the Landy. To execute this wave one must slightly raise the left hand above the level of the dash board, no more than 3 or 4 inches, show the palm and return to the steering wheel. This entire motion must be fluid and executed in under three seconds. You must learn all the intricacies of this wave before you take your first drive. If you don’t, they will know you’re a newbie. The only way to avoid this lame wave stigma is by doing something crazy like driving while naked. If you don’t get arrested, that’s a big plus!

The last and probably most important part of the wave is the hand you’re using to wave. You’ll want to care for that hand because without it; How do you expect to wave? Get some of the best hand cleansing soaps and lotions you can afford to clean that hand and protect it.

When approaching another Landy always remember to maintain the rule of "The Wave", you never know who's watching!

So come on all you new Defender, Freelander, Rangie and Disco drivers get with the programme this is for you too.

And for those still confused, some pictorial instructions...

Cheers,

Lou

Originally Posted by Loubrey

You guys are being unnecessarily hard on the whole "Puma Drivers" issue.

I'd still say 90% of Puma owners are long time Land Rover people and mostly 90/110 and Defender drivers. I've never had a deliberate non-return of a wave from a Puma driver (had those from grumpy series drivers!). Now and then you've got a startled newbie (WA plates show vehicle age quite clearly), but the shared "Defender Grin" usually gets a response.


Keep waving!

Cheers,

Lou

Hey I drive a series III and a defender and a series 1 80" and a 101 Forward control.


I can tell you I am not grumpy

And I still get waves

Mrs hh

Over generalised like the comment about Puma drivers!


Comment withdrawn...

Cheers,

Lou

My first landie was a series 2A, my second a series 3, third a 300tdi and my latest a 2012 puma, I've always waved and still do. It's a great way of acknowledging others who share good taste in motoring!

I was chuffed to have a disco driver and passenger provide a hearty wave recently while passing me in P38 (in same direction) on the freeway. I checked that all doors were closed etc and there was nothing catastrophioc about to befall me... then I notice they also had an AULRO sticker on rear window

I don't see it as a "Deefer" thing... but rather as a LR solidarity thing...very few RR Sport or later model Vogue people wave however... trendy "lease-ers" rather than true believers perhaps

I wave vigorously at any Land Rover with the approx shape of a defender, I lift the finger of the steering wheel for a disco just in case it is not a mother doing the school run. I make more of an effort if it is a Disco with some touring gear attached as I guess they may be in a similar mindset.

I am yet to have a respnse from a Disco, but I think some of the drivers will be thinking that bloody Defender driver waved and me and I did not respond, another complaint on the forum!!

I gave up waving at RR a while back.

These are my general rules of engagement but sometimes you just can't react quick enough or get the correct line of sight for a wave.

I think new Defender owners wave with more enthusiasm (as I probably did 3 years ago) something with being new to the club and being part of something iconic..

Just did Brisbane -Sydney return on the coast road. Waved at 9 Defenders and got 6 back. Pretty good for mainly Freeway driving. Missed a couple of others where I saw them too late so I'll appologise up front for missing them.

Also got a wave from a couple in a flashy silver car which I thought was fantastic getting waves from non Defender vehicles. Turned out to be Witchdoctor so that explained that one!