On another post I made it was commented that it was nice to be able to see our faces on our avatar (we have our heads hanging out the window) and aside from that being the first time anybody has been pleased to see my face , it actually got me thinking about how too often we never actually get to see the occupants of the vehicle heading towards us due to the glare/reflection on the their windscreen.
Well, that got me wondering even more on how many other people have the same issue as I do?
When driving and approaching another traveller, whether it be a caravan, camper trailer, motorhome, etc............... It is customary, not obligatory, just to give a little wave, flick of the finger, or some other form of acknowledgement to our fellow traveller. Quite often there is no response;
Is this because the reflective technology of the windscreen on our own vehicle has not allowed the oncoming vehicle to actually see us wave, and they think we are being rude and therefore do not acknowledge back, and likewise is it that sometimes we don't see the person waving that is coming in the opposite direction and we think that they are being rude.
Modern technology in windscreens utilises reflective coatings to keep the UV out, and therefore creates a mirror affect. Personally I'm not too fussed either way, wave or don't, it's up to you. But, the article I was reading in the GN newsletter was actually discussing acknowledgement of other travellers, well maybe, we just don't see each other wave.
Any other thoughts on this? Would be interested to hear your views;
Do you wave irrespective of the oncoming vehicles actions? Do you wait to see if you get a wave first and then wave or acknowledge back? Is there an alternative?
Me? I just wave at everybody, truckies, police, the whole lot...................
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Mark & Linda
A man who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, but ask no questions and your a fool for life!!
Mark I'm like you, I just wave, about 50% of the time I get a wave back. When Les and I last went out in our old caravan, we got into a silly mood and started waving madly at everyone towing a van or motorhome, we were acting so silly we were laughing that much I was surprised to see Les without tears in his eyes...lol I must admit we got smiles and more waves than we had before...
I wave to all caravans, motorhomes, wicked, jucy, spaceship, campers etc. Also wave to what appears to be locals on back roads. For police it is usually with the middle finger but just out of view.
I also say g'day on the 2 way just in case they are listening.
Maybe we should all follow your lead and hang our heads out of the windows as we pass at 100ks an hour.
I wave at motorhomes and caravans and sundry others - especially the people holding the 'Stop/Slow' signs at roadworks - I figure that has got to be a really boring job. If I get a wave back that's good, if not I don't worry about it.
We wave to just about anyone - cars, caravans, motorhomes, even trucks - and lollypop people as well!!! Even people going about their business walking down the street, or gardening etc. - responses are about 50/50.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
My hubby waves to everyone travelling and to service people such as police and ambulance. We're sure there are some who do not wave. We wonder sometimes if some are not confident enough to wave while they are concentrating on driving with a caravan. He still waves even when we don't have the caravan behind - and of course, I say, they aren't waving because you don't have a caravan.
On the back roads I wave at everyone, and most wave back. But I'd get RSI if I waved to everyone on the highways.
As to faces on the avatar, I have made every effort NOT to have a photo of me on any website that the public can view. Bit of privacy paranoia I suppose. But hey, these days my dog is probably better looking (though he's starting to go grey too!)
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Cheers, Marianna.
The more I learn about people, the more I like my dogs (Mark Twain)
While stopped at a road works by the lolly pop lady in Broome ,she was the most interesting stop /go person we have ever en counted on our travels ,She was doing this exercise work out, while still holding the stop/ go bat.
Well, thanks to everybody for their replies, very encouraging to see that we are a social lot. I also like listening to the Lollipop people on the two-way, they talk so much about nothing, but then anything to them must be interesting, I'm not sure I could do that job all day myself!!
I got stopped once by the police for waving at them, they thought I wanted something!! Anyway, as it turns out the young constable was interested in our camper trailer (which we had at the time) and thought it would be a good idea to stop and have a chat, no harm in that from my side, always good to keep on the right side of the law.
Mark
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Mark & Linda
A man who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, but ask no questions and your a fool for life!!
I always wave to the lollipop people at roadworks. Has to be the most boring job in the world. Anything to give them a thrill. I was once a school lollipop lady back in the 80s, but only couple hrs a day. I wave to nomads if I can see their face through the windscreen, so many you can't see. Probably depends on the speed as its easier on winding roads where its a bit slower.
, it actually got me thinking about how too often we never actually get to see the occupants of the vehicle heading towards us due to the glare/reflection on the their windscreen. 
, not obligatory
, just to give a little wave, flick of the finger, or some other form of acknowledgement to our fellow traveller. Quite often there is no response;
