Column: Steering wheel hand wave survives

The steering wheel hand wave is not dead.

As a Midwest youngster, I often witnessed this traditional art among small-town folks. It involves the friendly act of waving at other motorists as they pass you on the road in the opposite direction. This practice is most common in smaller towns because everybody knows just about everybody else.

Even the toughest, anti-social individuals will periodically participate in the steering wheel hand wave. From my own experiences, my late grandfather quickly comes to mind.

A weathered and tough individual who worked on the kill floor of a meat packing plant for 25 years until age 72, Grandpa seemed to live in the moment.

He enjoyed “teaching” me things, even putting me on his lap when I was about 8 years old so I could drive his old Chrysler as we tore through backcountry hills at speeds that made my stomach jump.

As we headed down the highway, it always fascinated me that my grandfather waved to everyone he passed. He never failed to give the finger wave to all. Maybe it was part of living in a town with only 69 people. Or, maybe he just liked people and was exhibiting his friendly nature.

Of course, this was the same man who once tied the arms of a meat packing plant co-worker to a loading dock and the other end to the back of his pickup. He revved the engine loudly and scared the daylights out of that poor kid. Just a practical joke.

Although he had a bit of a temper – Grandpa once shot his car because it wouldn’t start one cold morning – he deep down liked just about everyone. I guess his finger wave led me to this conclusion.

From what I’ve seen, the steering wheel hand wave has three variations:

• The simple finger wave from one hand on the steering wheel.

• The full hand wave from the steering wheel.

• An actual waving of the hand off the steering wheel – the highest, most sincere wave you can offer.

Many times, you offer the hand wave and don’t get one in return. Some motorists may not see it in time and have already passed you on the road by the time they think to respond. Others may not see you at all. Some don’t care.

Here in Libby and Troy, I’ve had mixed results with the steering wheel hand wave. Many times I’m preoccupied with some thought going through my head involving work or family and the hand wave does not materialize. When I do wave, I get a wave back probably about half of the time and that’s OK.

Over the years while living in larger cities, the steering wheel hand wave might turn into a road rage incident. Naturally, more strangers are on the road and people simply don’t take the time to participate in such activities.

Everybody in the city seems to be in a hurry. At least in my own life, the steering wheel hand wave while living in more populated areas was dead.

But now that I’m back in a small town, it’s something that I think about.

Long live the steering wheel hand wave.

(Brad Fuqua is managing editor of The Western News. He can be reached at thewesternnews@gmail.com )