#28 Waving

Country people wave at everyone they meet. It is customary for country people to wave in the car at the driver of every car that passes in the opposite direction, to wave in the yard at every car that passes by, and to wave on foot at anyone else on foot who is outside of shouting distance. If an individual is within shouting distance or passing by the yard on foot then a brief verbal conversation about the weather takes the place of a wave. Waves must be delivered on every passing regardless of how often an interpersonal meeting occurs; for example, waves between neighbors must take place each and every time the neighbors see one another.

There are two styles of country waves, the wiper wave and the stationary wave, and both are used in specific contexts. Waves from the car and waves from the yard are always stationary. A stationary wave is performed by opening the palm toward the recipient of the wave at about eye level. The stationary wave is accompanied by a slight dipping of the chin. This wave is used to efficiently acknowledge the presence of a neighbor. The wiper wave resembles the sweep of a windshield wiper as the forearm moves through a semi-circle with the elbow remaining a stationary pivot point. This wave is the out-of-shouting-distance wave and is used to get the attention of someone who is out of earshot.

The politics of waving are quite dramatic. As mentioned above, a country person must wave to everyone they meet regardless of they like or dislike the wavee. While it is appropriate to grin while waving at someone towards whom you have positive associations and to look down while waving at someone whom you despise, a wave must be delivered in all cases. If one does not wave he or she will be sanctioned swiftly and completely by all in the community. Those who wave promptly – before the other party waves – and pleasantly are seen as exceptional friends and neighbors.