What’s With The Jeep Wave?

[jackalope]

I’ve noticed there’s a particular geography to it. In Colorado, so many people have Jeeps there isn’t much waving going on unless you’re on a back road. Last summer in Jersey everyone waved at me.

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[WilldWilly]

I wave to the jeep, not the person behind the wheel. If they wave back fine, if not fine. Who cares? When I rode motorcycles, we always waved as we passed one another.

 

[gonemad]

One thing I started doing is just throwing up the wave, bike or Jeep, and keep my eyes on the road. A lot of the time I don’t know if they waved or not.

 

[Badunit]

It bothers me that Jeep/Stellantis uses the wave in marketing and such. The wave has nothing to do with the corporation and they shouldn't be trying to attach themselves to it. It's kind of like when adults start trying to use adolescent slang. It doesn't make them cool or with it, it does just the opposite.

 

[Sweetums]

At the risk of putting the cat squarely amongst the pigeons . . . . what’s with the Jeep wave? New Jeep owner here and so I did a little research and read how it originated during WWII with the drivers swapping the V sign and such, but where does it stand now, in the 2020s?

Like is it just something Wrangler drivers do? Do Gladiator owners wave as well?

Is it dying out these days? Do you personally wave or not wave? Any specific etiquette I should know?

Just curious and figured this was a good place to ask. Or not.

I don’t typically wave or even notice others doing it, I’m not usually checking out other Jeeps because they are so common - unless it’s something really cool like an LJor old CJ. My wife will often say “that one gave you a wave” when she’s in the passenger seat. The way people drive around here means I’m paying more attention to that clapped out Altima about to yeet itself into my flank and I just don’t have the attention to notice the 19th mall crawler’s bath toy collection.

Down in Moab I don’t wave because 80% of all traffic is Jeeps and you’d sprain a finger.
On the trail I acknowledge everyone, usually to signal how many vehicles are behind me in the group - unless you’re being a dickhead, in which case, you might just get an “inverse half-Jeep-wave” ().

Same, except for the BMW riders. They only wave at other beemers.

The BMW R- series touring bikes are like the Goldwings - the rider is looking for the button to wave for them.

I don’t wave on my motorcycle either. I just got tired of passing a 40-rider long string of dentists on Harleys in the canyon going the other way at 30 mph in their pirate cosplay, all with their hands out while I’m doing 80 in a left handed turn and focused on my ride. I’m not taking my hands off the bars to acknowledge you right now.

 

[Sweetums]

I wave at Jeeps and I wave at work to other pilots... Then I scream...

 

[Janster]

I wave all the time to Wranglers & Gladdy’s, unless I don’t see them cuz I’m looking somewhere else. For the most part, I get waves back.

Not nearly as many around here to wave at…… I think people have them as their winter & summer warriors…but drive their cute SUV’s to work everyday.

There are days I’ll wave …… you can tell the person doesn’t have one ounce of *automotive enthusiast* in them. Like, if you asked them…”What are you driving?“, they’d stare at ya like you had two heads.

 

[Cattywumpuss]

Love that! Thanks for the share!!

 

[Brucewillys]

At the risk of putting the cat squarely amongst the pigeons . . . . what’s with the Jeep wave? New Jeep owner here and so I did a little research and read how it originated during WWII with the drivers swapping the V sign and such, but where does it stand now, in the 2020s?

Like is it just something Wrangler drivers do? Do Gladiator owners wave as well?

Is it dying out these days? Do you personally wave or not wave? Any specific etiquette I should know?

Just curious and figured this was a good place to ask. Or not.

I'm all in with the wave. I loved the community aspect of waving when I motorcycled so it's a continuation for me. The victory thing is a bonus because my extended family has been woven into military one way or another. I hope it never dies.

 

[snide]

When I had my Wrangler, and my Gladiators, I always waved to other Wranglers and Gladiators.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I'm not the primary driver of my Gladiator, and I frankly most often don't think of it until I see someone waving at me.

Or I'm zoned out from work and not thinking of waving.

Idk, I wave when I think of it, and don't when I don't, and neither means much of anything.

 

[MrBones]

I wave at all Wranglers and Gladiators and especially make sure to V it to a Gladiator owner. I usually get a wave back from Gladiator owners.


That being said, I often don't get a return wave back from the women. Maybe it means I'm getting old

Now that I know what your rig looks like I'll be sure to wave. In my experience about 80% don't wave. But I did get a wave from a topless (Wrangler that is) cutie a few weeks ago. Surprised the hell out of me.

 

[KX L]

My experience is that JT owners always returned the Jeep Wave. Wrangler owners were hit-n-miss. Some Wrangler owners literally looked the other way.

Have ridden motorcycles since I was 13. Same thing with the wave. HD riders are nearly predictable if they will return their wave.

Been riding bikes for over 55 years---what on earth does this comment mean?

"HD riders are nearly predictable if they will return their wave."

Have a great day.

 

[Augies_JT]

I enjoy the community aspect of it and wave. Most do wave back, but at the end of the day we are all driving and trying to get where we are going, so I don't mind if they don't.

 

[Dog Dad]

I wave whether I'm in my Gladiator or my wife's Unlimited to all Jeeps, it's about 50\50 on the return!

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