Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2001 09:35:14 -0700
Reply-To: Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Waving
In-Reply-To: <29.192c0be8.28aa1ba9@aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
This is definately a region and sometimes model
issue. You're right. In the arid West where there
are plenty of Vanagons around, the waving is
definately
less. Especially on the aloof freeway where the
monotony can lull you into missing many a VW. But
out east where the VW vans are more scarce than a
Mohican, you can see somebody wave to you from 10
miles
away on the Interstate! Matter of fact, they'll take
the nearest exit, turn around and drive 50 miles just
so they can talk to you! This includes Eurovans. For
some reason, the folks out West haven't caught on to
the VW awareness. But it probably took the Vanagon
folks a while too. But I notice in the East, the
Eurovan drivers usually acknowledge other models
with a knowing wave or nod...
Now the kind of wave I need is when I'm not in a VW
but appreciate seeing one drive by. Like when I'm
in a rental or my wifes care. When I first came out
East, I was so frustrated to not be able to wave to
a passing van. So, we need a certain wave that will
be the International sign to give if you've got one
but you're stuck in this plain car....
Any suggestions are welcome....
Steven
'91 Westy
'86 Transporter
--- Robert Keezer <WarmerWagen@AOL.COM> wrote:
> OK, that does it, I finally have something to say
> about waving.
>
> THEY AREN'T WAVING THEY ARE SIGNALING FOR HELP!!!!!!
>
> I drove a 64 bus daily, weekly, and monthly for 5
> years between 1990-1995. I
> waved a lot-for tow trucks, roadside assistance,
> gas, and clutch cables.
> Where ever I drove, I rarely saw anyone in an old
> bus to wave back at me.
>
> This is because I rarely saw an old bus.
>
> I couldn't wave anyhow, the steering was so worn
> you had to keep both hands
> on the wheel at all times or go off the road!
>
> It was my only vehicle, as I have only own one
> vehicle at a time.
>
> Most of you are able to spread out the wear on
> several vehicles, not racking
> up all the miles on one car, and wracking your
> nerves.
>
> Now we have the A.I.R.S list.
>
> Had an A.I.R.S. list been around back when I drove
> the old bus, I would have
> been the founder!
>
> People you pass by still flash the "peace" sign, the
> "victory" sign, or is
> that the "Verizon"sign?
>
> I can guarantee that two drivers passing each other
> in 1952 Nash sedans will
> wave at each other.
> Which brings us to Vanagons-why we don't wave. It
> has nothing to do with not
> being friendly. It has to do with rareness.
>
> Vanagons aren't rare yet-certain varieties are less
> than others, but they are
> common enough to be bought by everyday people, not
> just the lastest
> generation of hippie look-alikes..
>
> Everyday people includes those who never owned an
> older model VW, never go to
> enthusiast meets, to them, it is just a car.
>
> They may even be loyal to it because of it's
> reasonable reliability, yet not
> loyal enough to plaster it with "Nuke the Whales"
> and "Visualize whirled
> peas" stickers.
> etc.
> In Washington State I have seen Vanagons used by
> businesses and libraries.
>
> A Vanagon has up to 200 square feet of interior
> space. How many Bentley Shop
> manuals can it hold?
> If you visit the West for the first time you will
> understand why we rarely
> report "Vanagon sightings."
>
> Seeing a Vanagon in some parts of the country might
> be a big event, like
> seeing a rain cloud in Arizona-they have rain, but
> not often.
>
> So out west we are flooded with Vanagons
> comparatively. Perhaps in another
> ten years we will wave. Or buy the new(old)
> Microbus. Will they wave driving
> the new Microbus? Something to ponder.
>
> Peas.
>
> Robert
> 1982 Westfalia
> Seattle
>
>
>
>
>
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