Page 12 - TT-145_v2

Transporter Talk No 145
THE VW WAVE
Nobody really seems to know where the customary “VW Wave” originates from, but as much as we might like to think, it is not exclusive to VW’s. A cursory nod or wave amongst same classic vehicle types is commonplace. Maybe it’s because we own them, but the acknowledgment shared between owners of VW’s feels friendlier and more genuine. The wave seems to further connect us as owners through shared experience and therefore respect. There are di erent types of wave to consider, some of the more popular ones are:
 The Shaka (Hang loose dude VW wave) - Originating in Hawaiian Surf culture, this one is reserved for the super cool, laid back types who are con dent enough to pull it o !
 The “I have the same!” - Reserved as a note of respect for owners of the same types, a “Good choice! I feel your pain but I get it” level of recognition.
 The “I love all VW’s” - An unashamed acknowledgement of all VW’s no matter what type.
 The nod - For the slightly non-committal types.
 The afterthought day dreamer’s wave - The one that happens as the other vehicle is already passing you and you realise that they had waved.
 The overly enthusiastic wave - Coming from non VW owners who love your VW and the life they think you have because of it, or those of you who have forgotten that for whatever reason you are not driving your VW that day!
 And nally, the “non-wave” - For those moments when you realise mid-wave that there has been no response from the other vehicle and you try desperately to nullify your embarrassment by pretending it never happened!
Despite the di ering types of wave available to us, there seems to be a developing trend that has classic VW owners worried, the VW wave is dwindling. Some call it snobbery, some think it’s the growing number of work/play transporters (those that make it increasingly di cult to discern whether you are waving at a slightly bemused tradesperson or a campervanner!) However, as daft as the wave may sound to some, it is all part of VW ownership. There’s nothing quite like the little smile that spreads across your face as you share a moment of recognition with a fellow traveller, or watching the look of surprise as your non VW owning passenger tries to ascertain what just happened as you share a wave or a ash of lights with another driver.
We already feel pretty special driving our VW’s, no matter what age, shape or condition they are in, so we are encouraging you all to put aside the snobbery, leave the air-cooled verses water-cooled and new verses old di erences at home and drive and enjoy your VW’s, waving manically at every owner you pass!
What’s the worst that could happen? Maybe you’ll be left hanging, maybe you’ll wave at a person who subsequently thinks you’re nuts, but we guarantee you’ll leave a smile on their face.
So keep waving and we’ll be helping to keep a tradition alive that is yet another reason these vehicles are so special! If you see us on the road, give us a wave, we’ll be the ones waving manically back at you!
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of The Volkswagen Type 2 Owners Club.
12