[Today’s run: 3 miles]
Before we moved to Mississippi I was not so much into waving. Now I wave at everybody.
It’s like this: We live in the country, in a little cluster of houses at the end of 1/2 a mile of bad blacktop. Anyone driving by in front of our house either belongs here or he definitely doesn’t belong here. He could be lost, looking for someone, could be a neighbor or could be just seeing what is back at the end of this road.
If I’m outside and a car goes buy I wave at them. Most of the time I can’t see who I’m waving at. I may recognize the car (or be aware that I don’t recognize the car). I wave at the school bus and the mailman and the meter reader.
Waving serves two purposes. First, they may think I’m friendly. That’s a good thing. I try to be friendly and I don’t mind if people have that impression. Second, it gives them notice that someone is paying attention. A lot of the people in our little neighborhood work during the day. If I’m out and about it shows that you can’t drive through here and case the place without at least being noticed.
It is my unofficial policy to wave at everybody I meet between my house and the main highway. I want them to pay attention, be awake, know that I noticed.
I’ve always waved when out running. I did that even before moving to Mississippi. I wave at cars and bikes and other runners. Usually I say something to other runners and bikes going slow, and people walking or standing around. I’m kind of opposite to those runners/joggers who wear headphones and act like they are in another world. I want people to see me and not hit me with their car, not run over me with their bike, not be surprised while walking and throw their arms out and whack me in the nose.
Waving only works in lower-distraction areas. I don’t wave at every car on the freeway, only the few cars on the country roads. When it is just you and me in a potentially dangerous situation, I want you to notice me and make some indication that you noticed me.
So I wave a lot. You may think I’m friendly but it’s really mostly self-preservation.