A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-22-04....The Fine Art of Waving

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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A custom of the country: Is it merely a polite gesture?
By Jo'el Freeman

M y husband will wave to anyone. He attributes this tendency to a span of time he spent on a small island off the coast of Rhode Island. There, the only people that didn't wave to you in passing were tourists - and you certainly didn't want to be accused of being one of those. Besides, he feels that waving is an act of goodwill and that even the grumpiest person will feel a little better after being greeted by a hearty wave.

That's why, when we moved from a house in the woods to a house on a main road, we continued our custom of waving whenever a familiar car drove by. A sense of neighborliness required us to do so.

My husband and I take turns standing in front of our house with our second grader as she waits for the school bus. Every day, the same people drive by on their way to work or school. There is the small pink vehicle we call the Barbie car, for example, and the c. 1970s van covered with gray patches of body filler that we refer to as the Hippiemobile. Some drivers give us a big smile and wave like we've known one another all our lives. Others start out tentatively, moving their hand only slightly so that if we don't wave back they can pretend they were only fixing their hair or scratching their forehead.

I understand their hesitation. Unlike my spouse, I can't bring myself to wave to everyone. Once, while we were on one of our exploring jaunts, we found an appealing back road that turned out to be a good shortcut to a lake. We had to slow down considerably to negotiate a sharp curve. Just beyond the bend, we were surprised by an elderly woman sitting in a green lawn chair situated directly on the side of the road. As we passed her, she waved. It turns out she sits there every day and waves to every car that happens to gy by. I have always felt she must be a little eccentric or lonely. But this is reading a lot into the situation, because she looks very contented. Anyway, a part of me fears that people will think I am eccentric if I start waving to every car that goes by our house. After all, I am home a great deal more than my husband is!

You probably would be surprised, though, to discover how many people wave to us first now. Some people accompany the gesture with a toot of their horn, which is the heartiest kind of wave. Friends from town that come to visit us and relax with us on our front porch soon find themselves automatically raising their hand in salute to passersby. I always tell these congenial guests that they have just learned the fine art of waving.

Yesterday I went to the post office. In the lobby, standing in front of me in line, was a man I have waved to almost daily for the past four years. He heard my toddler babbling behind him and turned around to look.

"How you all doing? Boy, this one sure is getting big!" he said to me, smiling at my child.

"She surely is! I have to watch her every minute," I replied.

"I'll bet. Hey, that new deck looks great!"

"Thanks - we love it."

"Well, have a great day - nice seeing you."

"You, too! Bye-bye."

The funny thing is, we had never met before.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-21-04 Military Monday

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[Billie]

Afternoon, Mr. Wolf could you come wave your swishy tail? :)

[Darksheare]

I could deal with 82 degrees, 60% or so humidity, and constant breezes year round.
But then I'd likely be a gardenia.

[GailA]

It's been about 5 degrees cooler than norm since the winter ended. Global cooling

I like the cooler temps, humidty is still high as always though. Thank GOD for AC.

[Temple Owl]

Herte's a wave, a salute and kiss on both cheeks.

[Billie]

Here's a wave, a salute and kiss on both cheeks.

Oh, wow! The others could all take a lesson on 'friendliness' from this wise owl!

(((((((((OWL)))))))))) :*

[Billie]

LOL - gardenia's smell really good. :)

[Billie]

I like the cooler temps, humidty is still high as always though. Thank GOD for AC.

Yep! I would hate to live without air conditioning. :)

[Darksheare]

LOL!

[Billie]

:)

[Darksheare]

I'd be suspicious of guys that smell flowery.

[Billie]

I'd be suspicious of guys that smell flowery.

LOL! Can't say I'd blame you - woodsy maybe, flowery no!

[Jedi Master Yoda]

Happy Birthday Momaw Nadon!!!

[Darksheare]

One, probably odd, question: Why do some women get -for lack of a better term, "excited" when a guy smells like campfire smoke?
I've run into a few, and have no explanation or reason for it given.
??????
Any theories and or answers that will make it make sense?
(Maybe it's a primal leftover from caveman times?)

[Billie]

One, probably odd, question: Why do some women get -for lack of a better term, "excited" when a guy smells like campfire smoke? I've run into a few, and have no explanation or reason for it given. ?????? Any theories and or answers that will make it make sense? (Maybe it's a primal leftover from caveman times?)

Hmmmmm - I have no idea! When Mr. B smells like campfire smoke, he's usually been grilling steaks!

[Darksheare]

It's a primal thing likely then.
Been trying desperately to find an answer to that small minor mystery for awhile.

[Billie]

Just waving hello to a sistah and a half-sistah I haven't seen in a while! Hope all is well!

[deadhead]

Waving Hi to all of FR's Finest :-) My folks moved out towards the end of the island when they retired. LOL, my Mom waved to everybody. I would gladly join in on the waving when visting. A feel good thing to do :-).

Today there was a WW2 Veteran selling raffle tickets at the grocery store. He was in his 80's, very frail. We had a wonderful conversation. He served aboard the USS Minneapolis. Proudly wore his USS Minneapolis cap, pointed out the picture of the ship on the cap to me. I thanked him for my freedom and thanked him for serving our great country. I said goodby and he said to me "I am so glad I met you", with tears in my eyes, I told him I was happy to meet him. God Bless him.

Nan, Emma is beautiful. I am so happy for all of you. A very special blessing.

[Diver Dave]

...I wondered which one of you (you or LadyX) would think of the other Waves first with this thread! :)

I just think outside the box sometimes. :) Must have misunderstood. :)
How about a wave instead?
Surf's Up!

Hi Billie.

[WVNan]

Sorry, I had to post and run this morning. I've had a full day and still have lots of prep work to do for my Wed. class. Of course I shall procrastinate ALAP. I won't bore you guys with too many pictures. I'll just prod the proud Papa to post all new ones on the little site he set up so I can pick from them.

[WVNan]

She is a cute puppy and almost as small. I haven't seen her for two days. I'm getting antsy.