The Jeep Wave: An honor bestowed upon those drivers with the superior intelligence, taste, class, and discomfort tolerance to own the ultimate vehicle - the Jeep. Generally consists of vigorous side-to-side motion of one or both hands, but may be modified to suit circumstances and locally accepted etiquette. Examples of commonly accepted modifications:
- <LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #663300; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>Top off: One handed wave above windshield or outside body tub <LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #663300; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>Top off during blizzard: Shiver and nod, hands may remain frozen to steering wheel
- Southern/rural locations: Raise fingers from steering wheel, nod
It's not what you buy, it's what you build and what you do with it.
In keeping with this cardinal rule of Jeeping, categories have been established to account for each part of the equation.
These categories are:
- <LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #663300; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>The Jeep Waving Hierarchy: Based on the vehicle itself. Takes into account the nostalgia factor, the discomfort tolerance quotient, and the amount of owner dedication required to maintain the steed. <LI style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; COLOR: #663300; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in" class=MsoNormal>The Modifying Sub-categories: Based on what you do with your Jeep.
- Equipment Adjustments: What you build.
General Rules:
1. All Jeepers are responsible for upholding the tradition of the Wave. Upon contact with a higher scoring Jeep, a Jeeper is required to initiate the Wave, and continue the Wave until:
a. The Wave is returned
b. The Wave is blatantly disregarded
c. The higher scoring vehicle has passed by and is out of sight
2. All Jeepers are required to return the Wave, unless the initiating vehicle is clearly has a negative (below 0) score.
3. All Jeepers are encouraged, but not required, to return the Wave to negative balance vehicles, and take any opportunity presented to guide and mentor them about their responsibilities to their Jeeps in the hopes that they can correct the error of their ways.
4. When unsure of status or wave requirements of a particular encounter or unable to completely assess the other Jeep's score quickly enough to ensure that the proper Jeep Wave Etiquette rules are followed, immediately initiate wave.
"When in doubt, WHIP IT OUT!"
First, the Jeep Waving Hierarchy (JWH):
Category A
Pre-CJ:
30
Category B
Pre-AMC CJ:
27
Category C
Other CJ:
25
Category D
Commando:
20
Category E
YJ
16
Category F
TJ
15
Category G
Cherokee, Wagoneer:
10
Category H
All other Jeeps:
5
Category I
All other 4WD vehicles EXCEPT yuppie Explorers:
0
Category J
All other vehicles
0
The Modifying Sub-Categories (MSCs):
(What you do with it)
MSC Guidelines:
1. MSCs must be considered during all Jeep encounters, and wave patterns must be adjusted accordingly.
2. MSC 5 is the median - the accepted norm.
3. MSCs from 1 through 4 will increase score as listed.
4. MSCs 6 and 7 will decrease score as listed.
MSC 1:
Top off; vehicle, driver, and all occupants covered with mud:
+30
MSC 2:
Top partially off; vehicle and some occupants covered with Mud:
+20
MSC 3:
Top on; vehicle covered with mud:
+10
MSC 4:
Top off during snow, sleet, hail, or heavy rain:
+5
MSC 5:
Somewhat dirty:
0
MSC 6:
Obviously recently washed, but immediately re-muddied a little:
-10
MSC 7:
Clean, dry, unscratched, untested:
-30
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