Acknowledging fellow owners

[McNasty]

Hi there, I'm fairly new to this so please be gentle. I just picked up a 2000 D2 TD5, my first landrover in Australia (I owned one in the UK when I was there (yes I'm a Brit)) and I'm thoroughly enjoying driving it. Some things are very different here, particularly on the road. Seven years of daily commute in Victoria has taught me that. However here's a question for consideration:

Should I wave, nod, salute or otherwise acknowledge fellow Landrover owners? This was considered the norm up in North Yorkshire where I lived and every Landrover which passed another resulted in a flip of the hand on the wheel or a nod of the head or even a friendly wave. It was the done thing and seemed to symbolise membership of a motoring fraternity. It also felt great.

I've attempted it here over the past few weeks without any feedback from the other side of the road. Should I give up or carry on? Will people think I'm some sort of Lunatic or not? Are there any other lunatics out there who attempt similar.

I'm tempted to continue with the lunacy in the hope that it catches, what do you guys think?

[justinc]

I would keep at it mate. I even wave to landies when i'm driving OTHER cars and the better half just shakes her head...

It just means you will feel great when someone DOES wave

There, I just waved

JC

[newhue]

In Orstalia generally the wave was a series thing which progressed to a Defender thing. From what I can grasp most Defenders don't wave to Discos or RR as they get no response most of the time. If you do wave to a fender from your Disco you'll probably startle ol mate and he will be caught off guard and to stunned to wave back.

There are others like JC and the Ho Hars who wave at anything Land Rover, any green oval will do. And I think the Disco crowd are trying to get something going there for themselves. But with high mum's taxi rates I think they will be struggling.
Patrol and Toyota owners believe Defender drivers wave to each other to keep the mate-ship alive, and hope someone will stop when they do.
And out west most people wave at anyone in anything.

I find myself occasionally waving at Defender in the wife car, I wonder if they think I'm a retard, but have had it done to me concluded a fellow landy owner. I have occasionally had the odd pedestrian gives me a big smile as I drive by as well. I guess he could have been gay, I don't think so but who knows.

So really wave at who you feel like, and don't take it badly if you don't get one back.

[MarknDeb]

Yep as JC said, we wave and dont get as many back as we used to, i think its the Toyot and Patrol owners swapping over and they just never had a life before

[Leyland1980]

Quoted from a UK forum - pretty comprehensive!


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.

The link to this post is here Wave Etiquette - Land Rover Zone

I as a 110 driver myself I will universally wave at Series and Defenders, Disco I and II, old Rangies and FC (on the rare occasions that they are seen). I am afraid that it is rare that I wave at a newer marque (Disco III/IV, Range Rover P38 or newer, or a freelander) this tends to be based on circumstance (environs, modifications etc). There are of course some situations where I wave at any vehicle I pass.

It has to be said that so far I have only driven my Defender 5km here in Aus as I only got it registered today! During that drive I was very disappointed that the only LR I saw turned off to the left just before we passed

Looking forward to some quality waves soon, keep your eyes peeled QLD! Bonatti Grey 110 D/C with Alucab.

[goingbush]

Hey Mc Nasty

as mentioned it seems mostly Defender & Series 1 2 3 Drivers wave to each other. Ive don't bother waving to FLanders as with my dodgy eyesight I can't pick them from Subarus etc but I do wave at RRC's & Disco 1&2's & only get a return wave from modified ones. Disco 3 & 4 & RR sport drivers don't seem to know defenders exist so I don't bother.

And Newhue - I think that pedestrian was gay - I occasionally get a wave and a big smile too, I have noticed their ironed t-shirt is usually tucked in !!

Also don't be too snobby about Tojos, When I had my 40 series shorty I usually always got a return wave from other 40 series drivers, but it never extended to later models.

[JackH]

2 years ago I did a trip covering 6500kms thru NSW,QLD,SA and VIC. I saw and waved a countless Discos, Rangies and Defenders...I only got 3 waving back.

[McNasty]

Thanks Guys, Im gonna keep waving at all but the F'landers cos I too cant see em that good from smaller 4wds. Oh and I'm not gonna wave at the smiling pedestrian with the tucked in shirt... the evoque drivers can wink at him

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Keep at it. I'm originally from East Yorkshire and agree its the done thing over there too.

Over here I try to wave at most things green oval and must admit the RR are a lost case and 90% of d3 owners are too. The d2 crowd are far more accommodating in returning waves though.

Once / when you head out of civilization and head bush you'll find everyone waves at everyone and anything... I love that.

Welcome by the way!
Jon

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[The ho har's]

since you are in melbourne there is a slight chance we won't wave to each other on the other hand if visiting my daughter we may well

I wave at all Land Rovers, regardless, and not a lot wave back except for the series and fenders

No I take that back now, there is a p plate 130 defender driving round now and i have waved a couple of time and he just looks and stares at me I will sort him out soon enough, just like the 6x6 130 driver who didn't wave for months, he does now

Mrs hh