Overcome by a wave

Seatrout

Seatrout

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 Jan 2012
Messages
310
Location
Tha mi a' fuireach Inbhir Chluaidh
Visit site
Having been brought up on the water it was inbred to me to wave to fellow sailors as we pass. Such tradition marks respect and brother/sisterhood on the seas.
Over the last 2 seasons, I have noted with disappointment, more and more individual sailors while in eye contact at my wave, simply ignoring the gesture.
Am I that offensive to the human eye? Or, is there a new breed of sailor on the water?
I'd welcome comment from those who have experienced similar and also from those who refuse to reciprocate a wave.
 
Seatrout said:
Having been brought up on the water it was inbred to me to wave to fellow sailors as we pass. Such tradition marks respect and brother/sisterhood on the seas.
Over the last 2 seasons, I have noted with disappointment, more and more individual sailors while in eye contact at my wave, simply ignoring the gesture.
Am I that offensive to the human eye? Or, is there a new breed of sailor on the water?
I'd welcome comment from those who have experienced similar and also from those who refuse to reciprocate a wave.
Click to expand...

Can't say I've noticed it. What are you waving, by the way?
 
We've been lucky with our 'waves'. Everyone we've passed seems friendly and are willing to return the wave. I love the 'waving' part so hopefully there is no new breed out there hell bent on destroying one of the niceties of sailing. Hopefully you dont get many more of them. However, if you ever pass us you are assured of a wave.
 
I always wave, and usually get one in return; the odd one who doesn't gets a muttered "**** you then !"

I've noticed mobo's are much friendlier and more considerate nowadays compared to when I began sailing.

Waving used to be standard on motorbikes too, but I've noticed that with the modern breed of biker, usually on a zillion mph posing machine reserved for Sunday afternoons - rather than riding the thing to work in all weathers as in 'my day', waving seems to have died out; quite possibly they're hanging on for grim death and daren't raise a hand !
 
Seajet said:
I always wave, and usually get one in return; the odd one who doesn't gets a muttered "**** you then !"

I've noticed mobo's are much friendlier and more considerate nowadays compared to when I began sailing.

Waving used to be standard on motorbikes too, but I've noticed that with the modern breed of biker, usually on a zillion mph posing machine reserved for Sunday afternoons - rather than riding the thing to work in all weathers as in 'my day', waving seems to have died out; quite possibly they're hanging on for grim death and daren't raise a hand !
Click to expand...

Modern bikers nod their heads sideways to each other. If you were one you would know. :D
 
I sail in your area and don't think its that bad. People occasionally miss your wave and hence don't wave back.

Sometimes when you're busy you don't have time. With family on board i'm sometimes guilty of that one.
 
Seatrout said:
Having been brought up on the water it was inbred to me to wave to fellow sailors as we pass. Such tradition marks respect and brother/sisterhood on the seas.
Over the last 2 seasons, I have noted with disappointment, more and more individual sailors while in eye contact at my wave, simply ignoring the gesture.
Am I that offensive to the human eye? Or, is there a new breed of sailor on the water?
I'd welcome comment from those who have experienced similar and also from those who refuse to reciprocate a wave.
Click to expand...

Red Ensign----Jolly wave

Blue ensign----Tug of forelock

White ensign--Get the hell outa the way.

:D
 
On the East Coast I still get a fair share of waves (and ridicule :) ) but I would say the instances of grumpy arses has increased. I'd say it's just a reflection of society at the mo. I get less thankyou's when I let people across Zebra Crossings than I once did.

I do think there is a general cultural drift towards grumpiness.
 
Fire99 said:
On the East Coast I still get a fair share of waves (and ridicule :) ) but I would say the instances of grumpy arses has increased. I'd say it's just a reflection of society at the mo. I get less thankyou's when I let people across Zebra Crossings than I once did.

I do think there is a general cultural drift towards grumpiness.
Click to expand...

+1
 
Seajet said:
I always wave, and usually get one in return; the odd one who doesn't gets a muttered "**** you then !"

I've noticed mobo's are much friendlier and more considerate nowadays compared to when I began sailing.

Waving used to be standard on motorbikes too, but I've noticed that with the modern breed of biker, usually on a zillion mph posing machine reserved for Sunday afternoons - rather than riding the thing to work in all weathers as in 'my day', waving seems to have died out; quite possibly they're hanging on for grim death and daren't raise a hand !
Click to expand...

You tend to get a nod out of bikers these days........Try that instead?

Back to the original thread - I wave at passing boats too.... most wave back.
 
No problem with waving in Wales, very few don't return my waves.

Works with Motorhomes too, only I have to remember NOT to wave to them when I am in my car rather that the van.

I get waves from bikers when I move over to let them past, usually just a drop of the left hand as they pass to thank me.
 
What I will say is when I was on my Dad's canal boat on the Grand Union Canal, everyone said hello... Even the walkers.. (Not Mr and Mrs Walker... The foot kind :) ) The Canal's seem a culture unto themselves and maybe somewhat removed from the usual daily nonsense.


I will say that I did omit to wave once, soon after I got my sailing boat. I somehow had my Jib sheet wrapped around one hand, the mainsheet in the other and the Tiller gripped by my feet. A passing boat waved and all I could do was nod like something out of the Churchill advert :D
 
Fire99 said:
What I will say is when I was on my Dad's canal boat on the Grand Union Canal, everyone said hello... Even the walkers.. (Not Mr and Mrs Walker... The foot kind :) ) The Canal's seem a culture unto themselves and maybe somewhat removed from the usual daily nonsense.


I will say that I did omit to wave once, soon after I got my sailing boat. I somehow had my Jib sheet wrapped around one hand, the mainsheet in the other and the Tiller gripped by my feet. A passing boat waved and all I could do was nod like something out of the Churchill advert :D
Click to expand...

Last time I was waved at on the canal was because someone thought I was going too fast.

Unfortunately, I was going so slow at the time that I didn't have steerage, so he got a very close drift pass instead which prompted more uncomplimentary comments from said waver. Well, he was moored on a bend!

Interestingly, his neighbor thought he was an idiot with a mission. He said so when he had stopped laughing long enough.
 
Fire99 said:
On the East Coast I still get a fair share of waves (and ridicule :) ) but I would say the instances of grumpy arses has increased. I'd say it's just a reflection of society at the mo. I get less thankyou's when I let people across Zebra Crossings than I once did.

I do think there is a general cultural drift towards grumpiness.
Click to expand...

I would no more thank some one for stopping for me on a zebra crossing than I would if they were stopped at a red light. It's the pedestrian's right of way - it's not optional!
 
Reptile Smile said:
I would no more thank some one for stopping for me on a zebra crossing than I would if they were stopped at a red light. It's the pedestrian's right of way - it's not optional!
Click to expand...

I hear this a fair bit. Yes it is compulsory but honestly, does it hurt to give an acknowledgement? Politeness is free and it brightens peoples moods...

Play nicely..
 
Reptile Smile said:
I would no more thank some one for stopping for me on a zebra crossing than I would if they were stopped at a red light. It's the pedestrian's right of way - it's not optional!
Click to expand...

Sad comment there; I think the phrase is 'courtesy costs nothing' !

I give a quick 'thanks' wave if I'm going across a Zebra crossing and people stop for me.
 
If you want to practice waving you need to try the Dutch canals. You pass so many craft that in order to save energy you do the same as them, which is similar to an Australian truck driver's, which is to raise one finger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top