When, and Why, I used to wave…

[SightsOfIron]

Pretty much any lifted/overland/offroad style vehicle gets a wave

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[AmosMoses]

Not discounting your comment above, but the Jeep wave has been around looong before the JK and Pentastar. I can remember the comments being made back when the YJ was introduced when folks debated on if it was a real Jeep because Jeep designed in the rectangular headlamps. When I was a little kid, I remember riding in my neighbors CJ in Colorado in the mid 70’s. Jeeps and Scouts waved. As I remember, it was an acknowledgement of a mentality…”I get it”. Point and shoot…not being confined…though it may not have many amenities other vehicles have, you can’t follow.

Oh, I totally agree. I didn't really put that comment in the right context. I tend to agree with the OP and anymore, with the popularity of the wrangler, the wave is a chore. Of course I would never own a wrangler growing up in the 90's when I started driving because it just lacked too much for me as a daily driver. My friends yj with 33" super swampers and a 4 cylinder was hell to ride in. I dreaded every time I rode in that thing.

Today, everyone owns the wrangler, not just outdoor types or people that know how to work on their own stuff, but moms and guys that never learned how to change their own oil let alone a flat tire. Guys back then that owned jeeps could swap axles, install shocks and springs and troubleshoot their jeep. Most jeep owners today dont do too much more themselves beside decorate and give their jeeps cute names. Jeeps have also become alot more complex to work on as well so that is a factor.

I think the wave meant alot more in the 80's and 90's when you passed someone in a jeep and you knew they were hardcore enough to suffer on the road in a jeep, especially in the winter, for the satisfaction of owning a very unique and iconic vehicle, despite of all its mechanical and design shortcomings.

Myself, I became interested when they released the JK but wouldn't buy one until they made a drivetrain worth the money they were asking that was on par with other manufacturers in terms of power and reliability. So in 2012 I bought my first new 2 door jeep wrangler and absolutely loved it.

 

[Iamstubb]

I get and give the wave when driving the JT. Seems like a good community thing. Although I have never seen a soccer mom or beta male in a Cherokee/Renegade/Compass do it. It does seem restricted to those with dirty Wranglers and Gladiators, and I see it more the further out of town I get. It reminds me of the "nod" that Challenger and Charger drivers exchange. They also have good online communities. However, I have the most gas station fill-up conversations with the Challenger.

 

[MikeInMo]

I find myself waving at Jeeps when I drive my wife's vehicle

Guilty of that.

I can't seem to get the Honda Hi to catch on when I'm driving hers either ??

 

[4-Play]

I wave even when not in my Jeep. I even wave at night. I know they can’t see me but, it’s the thought that counts.

 

[Roklimo]

I wave at the Jeep, not so much the driver.

 

[DBravo]

I find myself waving at Jeeps when I drive my wife's vehicle

Same here - so we replaced my wife's GMC Acadia Denali with a JK and now I don't have to think about it anymore!

 

[Tommyd]

I think it's a misconception that only jeeps wave to other jeeps, and that it's because of how harsh and rugged they used to be. But when I had a Subaru STi, all the WRX and STI owners waved at each other. BRZs too. When I had a VW GLi, Gti and GLI owners waved. When I drive my old bug, I get waves from other vws, and especially other bugs. It's just a comraderie thing for me.

Don’t forget Miata’s!!

 

[Kevin_D]

I think the wave meant alot more in the 80's and 90's when you passed someone in a jeep and you knew they were hardcore enough to suffer on the road in a jeep, especially in the winter, for the satisfaction of owning a very unique and iconic vehicle, despite of all its mechanical and design shortcomings.

I had a ‘77 Wagoneer that was pretty well decked out by the days’ standards.
And it would go anywhere, except past a gas station…

Kevin

 

[BourbonRunner]

Bikes 2 fingers down, corvettes thumbs up, Jeeps I’ve noticed are 3 fingers off the wheel, and Rams are devil horns. Been hard to keep up with.

BMW is one finger. Sorta.

When I'm driving my BMW people driving other cars waive at me with one finger. But I don't think I've ever had a BMW driver give me the same wave.

 

[Vtur]

I'm not a fan of waving, but do feels a little guilty by not doing it though. Some people be waving multiple times and that forced me to wave back ?

 

[Uparms]

Driving safety for me and others nearby takes precedent.

Wave, don't look, don't care, If You Can!

 

[Outside Reality Check]

I like the wave, I usually throw out a hard core "Forest Gump" wave. Then people look at me confused and drive away fast. But seriously - with a lot of tension out there sometimes it's nice to exchange a friendly gesture to the peeps in your community. I think it encourages cooperation and goodwill. If I saw a jeep on the side of the road with hood up; I would definitely stop to see if they needed a hand. I would at least slow down and WAVE.

 

[Bes518]

If you have to overthink waving back at a jeep you’re trying too hard.

we get waves daily in our Mojave. I don’t care if it’s the ugliest jeep I’ve ever seen or if the person doesn’t even know what trail rated means. Why would I care? I wave back.

 

[joeym7]

It started after the Big War, mostly ex-military where driving jeeps because they appreciated them so much in their war experiences...But the wave was more about acknowledging a fellow veteran's service to his county then it was to acknowledging "the jeep". A true bond that can only fully be felt by those who have experiencing military service.

Remember in WW2 the entire country was involved in the war effort (unlike Korea and later American wars were very few outside the military were very engaged). Moreover, a much, much, higher percent of Americans served in WW2 than any other war.

Naturally, Jeep like any good capitalistic company jumped on the bandwagon and promoted the "wave" as a great way to leverage their brand.

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