Have you ever noticed Jeep owners throwing a unique wave at each other and wondered why? This friendly gesture is known as The Jeep Wave. More than just a friendly nod, it’s a tradition steeped in history that ties the Jeeping community together.
Many car brands have ‘secret societies’ where fellow owners show their love for the brand’s community by connecting with each other. The Jeep Wave is one of the most prominent examples.
In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about The Wave, from its WWII origins to the present day. Whether you’re a seasoned Jeep owner or considering joining the Jeep family, this article will help you get into the adventure.
What is the Jeep Wave?
On the surface, The Jeep Wave is exactly what it says — a friendly wave exchanged between Jeep owners over the road. The wave is usually a three-finger salute that’s a combo of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. A normal fiver-finger wave is also acceptable.
Either way, it’s a special gesture for owners to express their shared bond of Jeep ownership.
On a different note, the Jeep Wave Loyalty Program is a membership program offering exclusive benefits for Jeep owners, such as worry-free maintenance and a dedicated owner support line. All Jeep brand vehicles are automatically enrolled upon purchase.
History of the Jeep Wave: From WWII to Today
No one is certain about the origins of The Wave, but the most commonly held belief is that the first Waves happened during World War II. Jeeps were the backbone of the military’s transportation network, and soldiers on the road acknowledged each other with a wave — a gesture of solidarity in challenging times.
This connection and camaraderie carried over after wartime when many vets hit home and started buying civilian versions of their military rides.
In the decades following the war, Jeeps became a civilian favorite, loved for their durability and off-road capability. The Wave continued as a tradition among new Jeep owners, evolving into a symbol of mutual respect within the growing Jeep community.
Today, The Wave is a time-honored tradition that connects drivers worldwide, from urban adventurers to off-road explorers.
Jeep Wave Rules
Rules do exist for The Wave, but most Jeep drivers agree that the biggest rule is just to wave at each other to show camaraderie!
That said, here are some ‘rules’ to think about when you start waving at fellow Jeeps:
- Respect your elders — When you see a vintage Jeep rolling down the road, try to be the first to initiate a wave and do so with a respectful feeling in your heart 🙂
- Mods Rule — Jeeps are a pillar in the off-roading community. Because of this, many Jeep owners upgrade their Jeeps significantly. Be sure to put some extra oomph in your wave when you see one of these tricked out monsters rolling down the road.
- Authenticity factor — When you pass by a muddy Jeep, one with an obviously used wench, one with dented-up parts, or one with other evidence of heavy use, give them a little extra Wave cred. In this instance, you could even combine a subtle head nod with your wave to show some extra respect.
- Give a nod to nostalgia — When you see a vintage Jeep on the road, throw some extra power into that wave and consider adding a nod and a smile. Those old birds take energy to restore and maintain.
Jeep Ducking (aka Duck, Duck, Jeep)
This is a new form of connection between Jeep owners, whereby one Jeeper stealthily deposits a rubber ducky on another random Jeep for the owner to find later.
Legend has it that the tradition started in 2020 when a Jeep owner in Ontario left a ducky on another Jeep as a random act of kindness. The quacks quickly spread, and nowadays many Jeep owners pack rubber duckies in their rig.
Here are some Jeep Ducking tips to bear in mind:
- You can duck any Jeep — Wranglers, Cherokees, Renegades, Rubicon, and more are all fair game for Jeep Ducking.
- Friendly notes encouraged — Some of the earliest duckers took it upon themselves to write friendly notes to the receiver. This trend has held on to become a regular (yet optional) part of Jeep Ducking.
- Duck kits are available — Jeep Ducking Kits are a real thing you can buy online so you’ll always have a stash of ducks whenever you see a fellow Jeeper.
- Pre-made notes are convenient — You can even snag pre-made duck notes to quickly and covertly leave a message with the duck(s) you drop.
- Duck ponds are real — Some Jeep owners have been ducked so often that they have a ‘duck pond’ of rubber duckies on their front dash. If you see this, give the driver a super duper Duck, Duck, Jeep Wave as you pass by.
A Symbol of Community
Certain car and camper brands have a way of building fiercely loyal customer communities. Jeep is one such brand because Jeep owners share a unique bond, whether on rocky trails or city streets.
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The Wave and Jeep Ducking both acknowledge this adventurous spirit and love for exploration. More than symbols, these two actions help to build a strong sense of togetherness among Jeep drivers.
As a Jeep owner, participating in these fun activities helps you feel a sense of belonging with a crew who digs outdoor adventuring as much as you.
Jeep Wave Shopping List
These items will level up your Waving and Jeep Ducking experiences:
- Wave decals
- Wave T-Shirt or Hoodie
- The Lazy Waver
- Wave wheel cover
- Jeep Ducking kit
- Pre-made Jeep Ducking notes
Jeep Clubs and Forums
The Wave is just the beginning of the connections within the Jeeping community. There are hundreds (if not thousands) of online forums for Jeeping folks of all types and stripes, live Jeep events all over the U.S., and Jeeping Clubs in many cities and towns.
Keep The Waves rolling by syncing up with groups like these.
Jeep Wave FAQs
Get answers to the most commonly asked questions about these Jeep traditions:
1. What is the Jeep Wave?
A greeting exchanged between Jeep owners over the road. The Wave is usually a three-finger salute that’s a combo of the thumb, index, and middle fingers. A normal fiver-finger wave is also acceptable.
2. What is the Jeep Wave Program?
Not to be confused with an actual Jeep handwave, the Jeep Wave Program is a membership program offering free maintenance, roadside assistance, discounts, and more to Jeep owners.
All new Jeep vehicles are enrolled at the time of purchase.
3. Is the Jeep Wave Program free?
The program is included with the purchase of new Jeeps at no additional cost.
4. Is the Jeep Wave a real thing?
Yes! The Jeep Wave gesture is a time-honored tradition connecting Jeeping folk with each other and the brand’s rich history.
5. Why don’t some Jeep owners wave back?
Not everyone is familiar with the tradition, or they may simply miss the gesture. We say you should wave away anyway!
6. Does the Jeep Wave apply to all Jeep models?
While traditionally associated with Wranglers and other off-road models, there’s nothing against the rules about waving at (or Ducking) other Jeep owners.
7. What is Jeep Ducking?
This fun and friendly Jeep tradition originated in 2020 as a random act of kindness. It has since grown into a trend where Jeep owners covertly drop rubber duckies on other Jeeps they encounter.
The Jeep Wave and Jeep Ducking are more than simple gestures. They’re symbols of shared adventure. So, the next time you spot another Jeep on the road, give them a wave, drop a rubber ducky, or maybe a bit of both. You’ll surely bring a smile to both your faces.
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