MX-5 OC Forum

 Now I've been on a few threads on the MX5OC and no matter if it's the main site or the area we are encouraged to wave to fellow MX5 drivers. This is something which used to happen when I had a MG about 25 years ago and you could guarentee that you would get acknowledgement back from the other driver. So thinking that the MX5 owners did the same after reading threads I started waving only to find I'm starting to feel a little foolish as I wave to fellow MX5 drivers only for them to look back and think "who is that idiot and what's he waving for". 2 cars on saturday and 4 on sunday all no acknowledgement at all. Really are we going to get our act together over this as if I'm the only person doing it then is it really worth the bother, the other thing is when the other MX5 is being driven by an attractive young lady they may think I'm a bit strange waving at them or have a hidden agenda.

Hi Shoestring,

I agree with you about waving and have had more that a few MX5 drivers give me a cold glare a result of waving to them, so now I let the other driver make the first move which is probably what the other driver is also doing so no acknowledgement takes place. If I do catch the eye of the other driver I now nod or raise my fingers on my right had with out taking my hand off the steering wheel.

Having recently attended the National Rally, I know what a friendly and helpful bunch the members of the OC are but not every MX5 driver is a member so they may not have read the waving thread.

Now if I knew how to use those little yellow smiley face thingy’s I would put one here that was waving!! 

Just found out how to do it!

Richard.

 Hi Richard,

I agree with idea of waving as it implys a kinship of MX5 ownership. Thing is all those years ago when the little MG was trying so hard to disintergrate through rust I was not a member of any owners club and the kinship for the marque of the car was so evident. The car I've eventually treated myself to after years of children growing up and paying mortgage and the like is far superior in every way to that little MG but owners do seem to be less openly friendly to one another (has society changed that much). Trouble is if we all wait for the other man to go first no one will take the first step, it's a bit of an enigma. I don't know how we can make this better. I think everyone who has purchased a MX5 will be proud of what they have and I would think share something a bit special with others owners who have made the same choice.

I am too going to employ the little smiley wavey thing on all posts from now on to try to keep pushing the idea

I wonder if those waving hands that used a suction cup to stick to the glass are still available? They were a crazy 20 or 30 years ago but are probably too big for a MX5 windscreen. Maybe a mini version stuck to the windscreen in a place that it would not block vision would be the answer, then I could wave at everyone, not just MX5’s.  LOL.

Perhaps the OC could do one with the OC logo on it!

Richard.    

Is there a question of etiquette, when the roof is down is a wave with the hand pertruding above the windscreen in order and when the roof is up is a flash of the lights more appropriate as often a small wave behind this windscreen can be obscured be windscreen reflection. Clearly its not as straight forward as some misirable person didnt wave back as a clear sign may not have been given in the first place. I dont know how much thought has been given to this in the past, perhaps the Flea or English may know as they seem to have been on this site since the beginning of time. Do you think we should contact them for clarity about his matter ?

Not wanting to be picky but I don’t think people should be encouraged to flash their headlights as this has a definition in the high way code and can be misinterpreted as a signal of giving way, also from memory is there also something in there about control of the vehicle and removing hands from the steering wheel. Hands have to be removed for certain control functions but I’ll stick to my fingers raised wave or nodding or get my other half to do the honours.

I class both as a friendly acknowledgement and it’s the acknowledgement that counts.

Richard.

Yes it would seem you have highlighted some interesting points in relation to health and safety and this may well be the crux of the matter. The health and safety police were not as profound 25 years ago so that may well have a bearing on peoples reluctance to wave, after consideration of a dynamic risk assessment on the point of reconition of fellow MX5 drivers it may well be unsafe and unethical to encourage any behaviour which could distract a motorist from their concentration of road awareness and this could include a double take on a MX5. Are we to suggest that no action should be taken unless drivers have signed a tool box talk on a risk assessment yet to be draughted as any encouragement no matter how minute could leave the originator open to legislation and possbly prosecution for encouraging the afore mention act if any damge to persons or property were to result.

Good grief unbeleivable how a prevoiusly simple sounding curtousy call fall so foul in the world we live in, still I can post the little waving man on here with no fear unless some one types back while driving 

Hi Shoestring

It’s a funny old world we live in, on those police fly on the wall programs on TV, I have seen the solo police driver using his or her radio or on-board computer as they drive but for Jo public; we have a different set of rules and for the most I agree with these rules (mobile phones etc) but!!!!!

When I am up in your part of the country next, we will have chew it over some more, over a cuppa maybe. I have friends in Nunthorpe which is not too far from you (I think). I was there last year in our 5 and properly will be again next year.

My Regards, Richard.

 I've been an owner for 13 years and always flash my lights, wave and smile at every other MX5 I see (much to my wife's bemusement and embarrassment).  Often as not I get ignored, but it sure makes up for it when I do get an acknowledgement back   Locally, I find that eventually I get a response from those owners I frequently encounter and some have even become club members

Ken Stanbury.  Northampton Area Coordinator

Hi Ken

How many people do you know who flash their headlights in the “give way” meaning say to let another car out of a turning or parking space. I only hope that having flashed your lights at a mx5 and you are looking for an acknowledgement from the other mx5, that no one is pulling out in front of you.

It’s a very small risk I know but a risk all the same. I am going to stick to a nod (yes and a smile) or just  raising my fingers (not a V) when on the move. An acknowledgement is an acknowledgement and the safer it’s done the better!

By the way, My Wife and I enjoyed out first Rally ay Billing, Many Thanks.

Regards   Richard.

 Hi Ken,

I notice you have the elevated position of area co-ordinator and as such you may be aware of any laws or codes which would prevent such a practice of acknowledgement, I think it's good to be friendly but don't want to fall foul of the health and safety police. I'm quite new to the forum and wonder if I've broken any taboo by suggesting such a practice?

I'll have to have a look at Geoffs comment when I get home as I'm on a works computer at the moment so can't see the pictures he's sent, but Geoff do you have the same health and safety police out in Oz, across here you nearly need a risk assessment to f*rt and it's getting worse?

 Hi Richard, you make a good point about flashing lights - yes, we ought to make sure we don't give misleading signals to a car waiting to pull out of a side road   Glad you and wifey enjoyed the Rally

Shooestring, there certainly ought to be a risk assessment for any gentleman over the age of 60 in the circumstances you describe   

Hi Geoff,

Well got home at last and had a look a your attachments very inventive, so something else to add to your long list of credentials Ive discovered so far, Music (blues) conissuer, Expert, collector and repaired of fine guitars, Tractor restorer, Fountain of knowledge of all things appartaining to the MX5 marque and now computer expert. Where you involved in the design and issue of this web site? Is there any ends to your talents? if Geoff says wave it can't then how can it be wrong??

shoestring:

Where you involved in the design and issue of this web site?

Thankfully no

As to the rest

shoestring:

if Geoff says wave then how can it be wrong??

There are other versions