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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
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The Wave
Sometimes when I'm driving around in NorCal I get an uncontrollable feeling to wave at a car(s) that are passing by. No, I don't know them and maybe
I'm just a little whack. You bajaphiles know that this is from travelling south of the border on desolate roads and people wave at you and you think
"this is a cool place with great people".
In mexico you wave at an old beater coming the other way and 6-9 hands shoot up (plus one from the trunk) to give a greeting. In NorCal...nuthin'!
There probably thinking, "do I know that dude?". I get a response maybe 10% of the time here as opposed to baja where it's more like 90% response.
I keep giving the wave cause it makes me feel good and reminds me of where I would like to be...baja.
Is the wave a baja thing or is it all of Mexico? I know the deserted roads have to be one of the reasons. Anyway I dig it and will continue to give
the wave.
I sometimes follow it up with half the peace sign if there is no response but, I'm kind of a jerk sometimes.
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Curt63
Super Nomad
Posts: 1171
Registered: 3-28-2009
Location: San Diego, Ca.
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Mood: Fish tacos and Tecate
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The wave is a small town thing here in the US too. When I visit family in a small town in Pennsylvania everyone waves.
Here in San Diego I get a few backward one finger peace signs
No worries
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
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Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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i always initiate a wave.
you gotta keep in mind that these are the folks who are going to help you out in a sticky situation. and it just feels good.
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
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It has been Traditional in Texas forever.
One of the first things new folks notice after arriving in Texas is the hospitility of the Hand Rasied in greeting and all the strange Folks that say
"howdy' when they meet and pass you.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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I wave to almost everybody who looks like they belong in the area. I've been doing it for so long that now they wave before I have a chance to give
mine. It doesn't hurt and shows them that your hand is empty. I'm further convinced that the empty hand is the reason for all the handshaking as
well.
OK....Bad joke time:
Q. Do you know how to make a one-armed Mexican fall out of a tree?
A. Wave to him.
laughlaughlaughlaughlaughlaughlaughlaughlaughlaugh...gasp...laughlaughlaughlaugh
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BajaNuts
Super Nomad
Posts: 1085
Registered: 5-11-2008
Location: eastern WA, the DRY side
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Mood: no worry, no hurry....it's all good!
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Definitely a small town thing. In our town in eastern WA, everyone waves, or at least smiles, says HI or nods. Especially if passing a vehicle on
one of the less traveled roads.
That kind of friendliness almost got me in trouble in La Paz. I was walking on the beach, alone, and some guy drives by. I smile, and say "Hola", he
turns around, comes back, gets out of the jeep and starts hitting on me. I found out later, from Shari's posts, that smiling and saying "Hola" is
considered an invitation to Mexican men. Girls gotta keep a grumpy face. It's a bummer because I like to smile and be friendly to strangers.
here's that thread, good for the ladies to read-
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=36760
edit for sp
[Edited on 7-29-2009 by BajaNuts]
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skeet/Loreto
It has been Traditional in Texas forever.
One of the first things new folks notice after arriving in Texas is the hospitility of the Hand Rasied in greeting and all the strange Folks that say
"howdy' when they meet and pass you. |
Why are texans such jerks when you meet them in other places? They allways think texas is the best in whatever subject you bring up.
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4baja
Super Nomad
Posts: 1339
Registered: 9-4-2003
Location: morro bay ca
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sometimes my wave is missing 4 fingers
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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Everybody waves in Mulege. It really gives me a good feeling. You sure don't see any sign of resentment.
In Northern California, not so much. Waving is a small town thing, but where I live (small town), all the jerks from the cities moved up here and
brought their 'tudes with them.
It is also a sign of the times in the U.S. People are more guarded now. I think fear is the word. You are more apt to get the one finger
salute here, or be inviting some kind of confrontation if you wave.
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LisaR.
Nomad
Posts: 121
Registered: 6-3-2009
Location: Chapala, Jalisco
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Mark and I smiled and waved at everyone while we were in Baja, and always, always got a friendly smile and wave in return. Here you pretty much only
wave at neighbors and friends, but down there it's as if they are saying "We are all friends and neighbors in the world." I love it!
BajaNuts, thank you for the redirect to the other thread. It didn't seem to be a problem when I was travelling with my husband, but definitely worth
keeping in mind for travelling alone!
I have a question about "The Wave," though. Mark noticed that alot of times, men would smile and give him the peace sign in response to his wave (the
regular two-fingered "Peace, Love, and Fish Tacos" peace sign, not the one-fingered backwards peace sign we are so familiar with up here!). He
started giving it back, and was met with even bigger, friendlier smiles. My question is, does it mean the same thing, i.e. "peace", as it does up
here? Or does it have some kind of sports or political connotation that we are not aware of? It is obviously a friendly, positive gesture...
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Maybe for another thread, but y'all know that when the vehicle in front of you turns their left blinker on, it means they're telling you it's ok to
pass. Ever try passing someone in the States that has their left blinker on?
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Maybe for another thread, but y'all know that when the vehicle in front of you turns their left blinker on, it means they're telling you it's ok to
pass. Ever try passing someone in the States that has their left blinker on? |
i always try to pull into the oncoming lane when intending to turn left AS I TURN MY SIGNAL ON. no confusion there.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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No doubt, Woody, the right thing to do!
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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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The perfect country wave
The way it's done. Learned it from my dad.
Grasp the steering wheel at 12 o'clock. With your thumb hooked under the wheel lift four fingers.
Anything else and they'll know you're city folk. 
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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You've got to be careful how you flop your hand around, and where, these days. If the wrong person sees you do that, he may want to have words with
you for dissing his mama.
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Maybe for another thread, but y'all know that when the vehicle in front of you turns their left blinker on, it means they're telling you it's ok to
pass. Ever try passing someone in the States that has their left blinker on? |
It can be confusing though. When they turn on the left blinker it means either: I am turning left, or You may pass me. Usually, If you are on the
open highway, you can be pretty well assured that the vehicle in front of you is saying "you may pass". However, still be very cautions. That big
truck in front of you can see what is ahead. They are always honorable, in that they have your life in their hands. But, your life depends on their
judgment. Be prepared to duck back in behind them, if there is a curve looming ahead, or if an oncoming vehicle seems too near for your vehicle's
capacity to make it. If you are already committed, beside the truck, you have to go for it! Flash your headlights and hang on.
On my long trips down or back up to the States, I am always pulling a trailer or a boat. That accounts for my exercising extra caution. One wheel off
the edge and......
In Mulege, when I am turning left into The Orchard from the highway, I turn on my left blinker. I also am aware that someone coming up behind me may
think I want them to pass. So, if there are no vehicles coming in the opposite direction, I pull into the oncoming lane, and then vehicles zoom past
me on the right.
If someone is coming from the opposite direction, I of course stay in my lane with the left signal on, pump my breaks so as to make my brake lights
go on and off, and hope for the best.
Usually the system works well. The more experience you have driving in Mexico, the more adept you are in making your own judgments. Nevertheless, the
"what if" scenario is still lurking in my mind.:
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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turn left by going right to cross the highway (really)
| Quote: | Originally posted by toneart
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Maybe for another thread, but y'all know that when the vehicle in front of you turns their left blinker on, it means they're telling you it's ok to
pass? |
It can be confusing though.
Usually the system works well. The more experience you have driving in Mexico, the more adept you are in making your own judgments. : |
Another practice and road system are the right-hand lanes which route the vehicle off the roadway to the right where they wait until it is safe to
turn left across the roadway: Notice this practice on Mex 1-South turning in to San Bruno. Notice the right-side exits off the highway when traveling
south and crossing the highway into Loreto.
Mick was rear-ended by an armored truck as he turned left into the Oasis in Mulege. Had his turn signal on, brake lights working, on-coming car in
opposite lane and no right-side median-- KAPLOW!-- his car totaled, him unhurt and, DARN! none of that cash onboard the Brinks truck got loose!
In the police report the Brinks driver admitted his negligence, responsibility and company liability in the accident-- of course, no insurance payout
has been forthcoming-- but THAT is the subject for another Thread, yes?
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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PASS IT FORWARD
| Quote: | Originally posted by Martyman
You bajaphiles know that this is from travelling south of the border on desolate roads and people wave at you and you think "this is a cool place with
great people".
I keep giving the wave cause it makes me feel good and reminds me of where I would like to be...baja.
Is the wave a baja thing or is it all of Mexico? I know the deserted roads have to be one of the reasons. Anyway I dig it and will continue to give
the wave. |
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
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Mood: undecided
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About the "wave". It's one of those neat things that happens when you only meet another vehicle every now and then. And you're glad to see 'em. Means that the road is clear.
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wiltonh
Nomad
Posts: 306
Registered: 2-2-2007
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The wave in Baja is part of the country but I think there is a different kind of wave in the states which is just as nice. I call it the Nomad wave.
We were sitting at a gas station in California where we filling up, when two women started waving at me. I had never seen them before but they came
up and pointed to my vehicle with sailboards on the back and a motorcycle on the front and said: "You are going to Baja right?" My answer was
"Yes".
Their next statement surprised me even more. They said: "I bet we can even pick the location in Baja where you are headed." They said you are
headed for La Ventana just South of Lapaz. They were correct.
Nomads:
It takes one to know one.
Wilton
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