It was in 1994 that I learned about waving while I was in rural Gentry County, Missouri doing research for a book. As I drove through small towns and beside farms I noticed almost everyone waved at me. People in cars and trucks waved, people sitting on porches waved and people walking down streets waved. Most waves were accompanied with smiles. I waved and smiled back. These were young and old people and men and women. Farmers working their fields took a few seconds away from work to wave. Gentry County must be one of the friendliest places in this great country.

When we started traveling fulltime I made a point of waving at all motorhomes we meet on the road and many of the drivers wave back. It is simple to do, I just raise my hand and drop it a couple of seconds later. I have noticed there are three types of waves. The most common is the one I just mentioned - a simple raise of the hand. Some people raise their hand then move it back and forth. This is the friendliest type of wave. One wave that is catching on is the raising of two fingers. It is the simplest wave and is accomplished by placing one hand at the top of the steering wheel. When the driver meets someone two fingers (index and middle finger) are extended upward. Sometimes it is hard to see this wave and even harder to determine if the index finger was raised. If it was not raised this wave has a different meaning.

In southern California no one waved back to acknowledge my waves, but I kept waving anyway. By the time we got to northern California friendly return waves were coming back. When we crossed into western Nebraska we found everyone waving just like they do in Gentry County. If you meet a Dutch Star on the road be ready to wave back because I'll be waving at you.