It’s from back when Neanderthals were taking us out by the thousands, we had to identify our kind from afar and show signs of good intentions.
Also, none of this is true.
I heard a theory somewhere that the last Neanderthals bred themselves into extinction because male Neanderthals would be more favorable for female Homo Sapiens; female Neanderthals and male Homo Sapiens that couldn’t find mates would find each other more favorable than not mating.
It’s a weird thought. Not sure how true it is either.
Every time I’ve seen the Coast Guard in close range I’ve waved… and every time they’ve waved back.
I think it’s a positive feedback loop.
This is like when the Queen was at a livestock show and they brought in some cows. She leaned toward Prince Phillip, pointed at the cows, and said, “Cows!” Why? Because there were cows, I guess.
When I was visiting Hiroshima Japan we took a boat out to Miajima (an island). I was standing on the back of the boat and saw a similar boat bringing tourists back. I started to frantically wave and eventually the other boat waved back.
The same thing happens if you ride motorbikes and see another rider, or drive an old combi and see another combi.
Also happens in all cars in some of the rural areas in my country.
My only theory is once a community is small enough, the hello wave is used.
Cars (pickups) one or two fingers from the steering wheel.
Bikes (bicycles) do this if they aren’t training
I miss when Jeeps were a small enough community that it was a fun thing. Now you have people practically hanging out their windows to get your attention out of a jeep that has never seen a spec of dirt.
Bus drivers, truck drivers, farmers do it too, established villages smaller than 150 inhabitants as well.
Small community theory: I’d argue that it’s associated with this peer group of approx. 300 people thing, where humans get influenced by only a very few hundred people directly or smth lioe this, but I don’t remember the source.
I believe you’re thinking of Dunbar’s Number, but it’s 150 rather than 300. Which does fit better with your original claim.
Yeah but your examples are members of the same community. What is weird and endearing is that people who have never been on a boat will wave at people just because they are on a boat. Conversely, people on a boat will eave at people on land. Its as if a transport vehicle was a ride. A jet ski or something.
People on land will wave because they’ve been waved at.
People on a boat will wave at people just because they’re on a boat.
Simple as.
Okay, buy why do people on land wave at people on a boat? Is it a throwback from when people might travel to new and exotic lands possibly never to see their families again? Peopkr also wave at people on carnival rides. Is that the same impulse? Whats up with that?
