Nobody seems to wave back :(

[TheGadgetMan]

Hi All,

Whilst driving around Bristol and surrounding areas I always see fellow Mini owners and always wave or flash my lights, why does nobody ever wave back? It's a shame because my dad has a Jaguar XF and whenever XF owners pass each other they wave (well most of them anyway, not the snobby ones!) and it would be great if we could reinstate this for Mini owners in the South West.

So please acknowledge fellow Mini drivers! Make their day even better!!

I may not be on much over the festive period due to work commitments so Have a very merry Christmas and a brilliant new year!

George

[MiniDeLux]

Here in Luxembourg, everyone seems to wave. I wasn't used to getting waves when I first bought the car, I was wondering what they were doing. Now I wave all the time. I'd say I get more than 65% return waves. Seems to vary with the season.

Maybe in winter drivers are more depressed?

Merry Christmas!

[TheGadgetMan]

How can you be depressed whilst driving a Mini?!?! Unless it's snowy/icy and you can't put your foot down I suppose that would be quite depressing!

George

[coopernut]

Some time ago I was the owner of an MX5 and the forum suggested waving every time you saw another one.... so , after the first dozen or so times of waving and getting no response I began to feel like a bit of a tit so didn't do it again

I reckon waving is a bike thing rather than a car thing

[SirRawlins]

Rather than waving at other MINI drivers, I like to stick my fingers up at anyone NOT driving a MINI - this way it's not so disappointing when they don't return the gesture :-D

[mab01uk]

In the UK Classic Mini drivers have waved at each other at least since they became a rare sight on the roads driven only by fellow enthusiasts.

Many New MINI owners waved at each other for the first year or so after the 2001 launch but eventually the popularity and sheer number of MINI's on UK roads, with many owners not necessarily 'enthusiasts' mean't most stopped waving or flashing lights as you rarely got a response anymore.

Nowadays you are most likely to get a response from a 'modified' MINI as the owner is more likely to be a fellow Mini/MINI enthusiast.

[Eirik]

In Norway no one will wave, but when I'am at the Nurburgring everyone driving an old or new Mini will wave

[cmdhgreenman]

Quote: Originally Posted by coopernut (original)

I reckon waving is a bike thing rather than a car thing

Waving isn't just a motorcycle thing. Growing up my dad used to have a Corvette and EVERY other Corvette driver would wave back at you.

Sadly I haven't gotten any return waves from other Mini drivers yet. Then again I've only been driving it 2 weeks now.

[BlueBeastie]

Yea I find the same problem down here too. I find the older Mini drivers are pretty friendly, but the younger ones just hit the ignore button. Kinda sad in my opinion.

[richyboy]

People used to wave in my elise, exige and vx220. In the mini only once so far however it's only been 3 weeks.

[Poprin]

Ok if you want driver to driver acknowledgement the best cars i've owned for this have been...

Defender 90's
MX5 Mk1 but any later models you don't get waves !
MGB < Big time! Also if you stop anywhere people used to come out of the woodwork with stories of ones they used to own!
MR2 Mk1 and Mk2's

The list goes on. Basically any car thats getting rare, and has a following and you are in business.

I think with new Mini's as someone has already pointed out there are so many of them it would be like people in Ford Focus's waving at each other! But I still think with Mini's there is a mutual respect. Sometimes when i'm on a backroad blast I won't overtake another Mini just because it doesn't feel right! Also I park next to them in car parks! This happens to me to! Anyone else have these urges!?!

[R53forlife]

Just saying... I live in new jersey and everyone with a mini cooper waves to each other. It kinda makes me feel special

[MINIman1187]

Here in the Southern USA, everyone waves or matter what you drive. Bike, car, truck, whatever... I can't leave my house and drive to the store without getting a wave or two. As for fellow MINI owners, I wave at every one of them and I get at least a smile in return.

[Travels]

The next time I see a Mini I will flash and give a wave.

[Border Reiver]

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueBeastie (original)

Yea I find the same problem down here too. I find the older Mini drivers are pretty friendly, but the younger ones just hit the ignore button. Kinda sad in my opinion.

I agree, older drivers are much more curteous and will give you a wave or flash their lights.