We have currently travelled some 12000 Klm and at present are travelling down the east coast towards Sydney, during the trip I have always offered a wave and smile to passing caravanner's and motor homes including wizbangs and seeing just how many respond, I have come to the conclusion that a significant number have either very stick fingers and cannot raise at least one off the steering wheel or they have severe arthritis.
As a guestimate about 80% of Caravanner's with 4x4 tugs responded
around 50% of caravanner's towing with cars responded
approx 10% of motor homes responded so I gave up on them
none of the hired wizbengs responded.
Now on the east coast the overall number of responses has dropped considerably but its great to see more Caravanner's on the coast are travelling with lights on in daytime especially in the rain.
I always thought it was something unique to Caravanner's that we acknowledged each other on the road and I think its a bit sad that such a significant number now choose not to respond.
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I noticed the same thing AT. I got plenty of waves back along the Bruce but things quietened down a lot on the Pacific and slowed right down to nearly zilch on the Hume.
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Yes, it is interesting, isn't it. We are traveling in a Jayco Optimum motor home and find nearly all of the non-hired motor-homers wave. About 80% of caravanners wave or at least stick up a finger. Maybe it's because we normally get in first. The more major the road/hwy the less acknowledge. The really minor roads, then it is almost around the 100% mark. Even some whiz bangs do it and so do a small percentage of hire vans.
We are currently traveling the coast road from Kununurra to Perth and most wave.
Maz
-- Edited by 2abreast on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 03:56:28 PM
I've been keeping count too and find the same numbers. I also wave or raise a palm to truck drivers when away from towns and generally get a wave.
When you think about it, responding to a wave or g'day just comes natural.
Hi there Guru , you know it is interesting , I raised this subject a while ago with mixed response . The good wife and myself own a 83 coaster and have done many miles driving around this lovely country towing my race car in an enclosed trailer . Yvonne usually playes a game of waving to travellers coming the other way with different results to what you have . Motorhomes in general wave, to be fair approx. 70% , caravans 1 to 2 % , farmers 85% wizbange 5% and sometimes just the odd traveller in a car and we usually wave to all . I have been thinking of getting one of those spring thingies that look like a hand and stick it to the front drivers side windscreen . But in general are disappointed in the response from caravaners but maybe they aren`t looking my way , maybe we need a shower , I don`t know , maybe some one can explain .
i am currently heading south from the cape and noticed mackay is the cutoff point
i was getting sick of waving but now south of mackay no one waves, so saves me the trouble
Greetings all - I wave or raise a finger to all that I think are "travelling" - doesn't worry me if they respond or not - they may be talking, thinking of other things or just did not see me as they drive - I've done my bit and I feel better knowing that I have greeted a fellow "traveller".
How interesting that this subject has come up. We have just been from Sydney to Tiboorburra via White Cliffs and then home on the Barrier Highway and noticed a big difference since our last trip. We have always waved to caravans and motorhomes and we thought that this time the numbers who waved back had really dropped. Still plenty of waves once we got into the really isolated areas but nothing much closer to bigger towns.
We also noticed an increase in the "one finger raised off the steering wheel" rather than a proper wave. Its as though we are a nuisance waving to them and all they can be bothered with is one finger lifted from the steering wheel. A pity really.
Cheers,
Margaret and Ron
Your gotta laugh, I drive a motor home, and I wave madly at everyone, (probably because I'm so happy to be out there), not that too many wave back, supose they think I'm really mad.!!
Cheers
Greg
-- Edited by gregnshas on Thursday 21st of August 2014 08:14:12 AM
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I suggest if you wish to achieve a perfect 100% go to Yorke Peninsula and Southern Eyre Peninsula in South Oz..you have to drive with your right index finger almost permanently raised...
Lived on both Peninsulas for about 10 years and they actually extend their friendliness past just the finger wave...if you break down or have bonnet up, they will also invariably stop or slow down I've always found...
Have any others felt similar to me when I am too slow on the uptake and miss responding to someone's wave... I find myself apologising 'sorry mate' and I'm the only person in my car?...you almost wish they would go around again and give you one more chance to wave..lol....as I figure its only axe murderers that won't wave back.....Hoo Roo...
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How interesting that this subject has come up. We have just been from Sydney to Tiboorburra via White Cliffs and then home on the Barrier Highway and noticed a big difference since our last trip. We have always waved to caravans and motorhomes and we thought that this time the numbers who waved back had really dropped. Still plenty of waves once we got into the really isolated areas but nothing much closer to bigger towns. We also noticed an increase in the "one finger raised off the steering wheel" rather than a proper wave. Its as though we are a nuisance waving to them and all they can be bothered with is one finger lifted from the steering wheel. A pity really. Cheers, Margaret and Ron
Perhaps the one finger acknowledgement is due to the fact that often when you are passing another vehicle, on a narrow road, it is not safe to take both hands off the steering wheel. We always wave (towing 3.5t caravan), as the navigator, I give the full wave, but Mr D the driver often will only do the finger acknowledgement due to the above. We wave to caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, whatever in the outback, bigger towns you do have to really keep you eyes on the road, and sometimes just miss the wave.
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DUNMOWIN is no longer on the road and still DUNMOWIN!
cloak funny -the one man finger salute huh.... Sad tho!
If there is one thing my folks taught me was to respect the bigger drivers. Trucks buses and Carvaners etc.
We have traveled a few places in our time and always wave, say hello and even in my car when i seen them i will wave and wish them luck mentally on their journey's
I still do the tooting signal to trucks lol as i did as a kid for them to blow their horn and sometimes i get it other times truckies shake their head at me.. oh well I'm a big kid at heart.
It is sad how people are less friendly but when you meet the ones who are it sure does make you smile. Bravo to the ones who do tho.
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I forgot to mention earlier that Mr D still waives at motorbikes (he is an ex biker) and wonders why they rarely wave back. I have to remind him that there is a world of difference between a biker and a caravanner.
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DUNMOWIN is no longer on the road and still DUNMOWIN!
When I'm towing I tend to only raise a finger to 'wave' as I like to keep a good hold on the steering wheel and I will often have my left hand busy on the gear lever.
I suggest if you wish to achieve a perfect 100% go to Yorke Peninsula and Southern Eyre Peninsula in South Oz..you have to drive with your right index finger almost permanently raised... Lived on both Peninsulas for about 10 years and they actually extend their friendliness past just the finger wave...if you break down or have bonnet up, they will also invariably stop or slow down I've always found... Have any others felt similar to me when I am too slow on the uptake and miss responding to someone's wave... I find myself apologising 'sorry mate' and I'm the only person in my car?...you almost wish they would go around again and give you one more chance to wave..lol....as I figure its only axe murderers that won't wave back.....Hoo Roo...
Agree almost every one waves in SA the east coast is the least friendly closely followed by tasmania
Its good to see that many of us are trying to keep this alive weather with full left hand or raising one or two fingers off the steering wheel lets keep it up
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Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
Happily doing both to the Max.
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Cloak !
cloak funny -the one man finger salute huh.... Sad tho!
