It's A Jeep Thing

If you have to ask you wouldn't understand.

After nearly a year M'Lady and I are still exceptional happy Jeep owners. One of the many benefits of Jeep ownership is that we are now members of Jeep Nation and as such are able to participate in "The Jeep Wave".

It is not uncommon for us to receive and return waves from six or eight other Jeeps while out and about just running errands. The best wave of all had to be when we came to a four way stop near the house one day just as another Wrangler pulled up to the intersection. The couple in the other Jeep was about half our age and their Wrangler was covered in so much mud you couldn't tell what color it was. Our Jeep was brand new and didn't have a spec of dirt on it. We all stared at each other for a few moments, grinned enthusiastically, waved, and then went on our separate ways.

For your further edification and entertainment I offer the Etiquette of the Jeep Wave:

Definition:

The Jeep Wave: An honor bestowed upon those drivers with the superior intelligence, taste, class, and discomfort tolerance to own the ultimate vehicle - the Jeep. Generally consists of vigorous side-to-side motion of one or both hands, but may be modified to suit circumstances and locally accepted etiquette.

Examples of commonly accepted modifications:

Top off: One handed wave above windshield or outside body tub
Top off during blizzard: Shiver and nod, hands may remain frozen to steering wheel
Southern/rural locations: Raise fingers from steering wheel, nod

It's not what you buy, it's what you build and what you do with it.

In keeping with this cardinal rule of Jeeping, categories have been established to account for each part of the equation. These categories are:

The Jeep Waving Hierarchy:

Based on the vehicle itself. Takes into account the nostalgia factor, the discomfort tolerance quotient, and the amount of owner dedication required to maintain the steed.
The Modifying Sub-categories: Based on what you do with your Jeep.
Equipment Adjustments: What you build.

General Rules:

1. All Jeepers are responsible for upholding the tradition of the Wave. Upon contact with a higher scoring Jeep, a Jeeper is required to initiate the Wave, and continue the Wave until:

The Wave is returned
The Wave is blatantly disregarded
The higher scoring vehicle has passed by and is out of sight

2. All Jeepers are required to return the Wave, unless the initiating vehicle is clearly has a negative (below 0) score.

3. All Jeepers are encouraged, but not required, to return the Wave to negative balance vehicles, and take any opportunity presented to guide and mentor them about their responsibilities to their Jeeps in the hopes that they can correct the error of their ways.

4. When unsure of status or wave requirements of a particular encounter or unable to completely assess the other Jeep's score quickly enough to ensure that the proper Jeep Wave Etiquette rules are followed, immediately initiate wave.