I have an XJ and YJ both pretty stock but I wave at all other Cherokees and Wranglers modified or
Not. I'm a die hard jeep guy and if it says jeep, I'll wave. Spread the love, it's a Jeep thing.

This was an interesting and funny read for me.
I'm new to the CF simply because the XJs were/are daily drivers.
My DD is a 4-door JK and I own 2 old Willys (see signature).

On the JK-Forum (89,000 members) there are SEVERAL threads on The Wave. It's kind of a cult thing with the CJ/Wrangler crowd. I often chuckle at some of the posts over there, expressing a sense of sadness and loss because so many JK owners are soccer moms or worse. The "Wrangler" world is being diluted by "ordinary" people who don't understand "All Things Jeep".

Many show an attitude of superiority towards anyone not "Wrangler" so we XJ owners are beneath them. Many also show the same attitude toward any JK not built up. My JK has only one visible mod - rock sliders - unless it's hot, summer weather and I've put the tube doors on. Then I get lots of waves. Otherwise, unless you look closely, I look pretty much stock and superior JK drivers won't wave.

You have to understand that it's a point of pride for many, that they drive a "real Jeep" instead of one of the many imitations or copies. Fortunately, those types are in the minority and to be blunt, can be classed as jerks. And, again fortunately, the majority of the guys (and gals) are friendly types and are happy to mingle with off-roaders of any stripe - even non-Jeep owners. Oh the horror. :)

Truthfully, the only reason I don't wave at XJs is because most of the owners in the Chicago area are not "Jeep People" and thus, don't even know about The Wave, much like the majority of JK owners around here (especially 4-door owners). So you leave them wondering why some total stranger was waving at them.

As one of the earlier posts said, "Owning a Jeep doesn't make you a Jeeper." It's a way of life and an attitude. One that I wish were always friendly, inviting and willing to teach. Instead of, "It's a Jeep thing. You wouldn't understand", I'd rather see, "It's a Jeep thing. I'd be happy to explain it". And offer you a ride to show you how much fun it can be.

Anyway, keep on waving. If people don't wave back, they either don't know (not educated into "Things Jeep") or they have an attitude. Don't let it bother you. Just enjoy the positive responses you get. If you wave at me, I'll wave back, even if you're in a Compass. :)

^ Nice point of view.

Since I moved to a different part of NY recently, I have been getting more Jeep waves. XJs, YJs, TJs, and a MJ. The MJ was the most impressive to me since my XJ and his MJ are both OD Green with the aluminum Jeep wheels. If we weren't on such a busy road, I woulda turned around and talked to him.
Today I was at a JY and when I pulled into the parking lot there was a guy with a 95 XJ. We talked for a good 30 minutes about XJs and other Jeeps. That was pretty cool to talk to a random stranger and we both had a good amount of knowledge.

I normally have other xjs wave at me. I wave back as well. I have only had a few yjs and cjs wave at me, which I returned the fellow jeep wave. I particularly only wave at other modified xjs. I think I may laugh at the guy who trys to wave at me with a compass. I understand the "jeep thing" but the guy driving the compass doesn't. I know that's my opinion and I'm very humanistic, but I feel as such. I know when I was driving my jeep stock, that I waved at fellow xjs that were modified. I was toooo ready to have mine "done". Pretty funny correlation there too, jeep and done...all in all, if I drove a compass then I would save myself and not wave. I can't wait to see someone pop their hand out when I pass the new Cherokee. May just laugh too hard flip them the bird. Just my opinion. I love "jeeps" not government coerced vehicles. We are leaving the next generations with nothing of value jeep wise. But yes I enjoy the "jeep wave".

sometimes when i drive my mom's patriot, i wave at JKs. 98% of the time i get a middle finger back

Needs updating, I think the low starting score for XJs is due to their popularity as yuppie-mobiles, though now that's less common and aftermarket support is surging http://jeeptalk.org/jeep_wave.php

I also wave to modded Toyotas, Nissans, and maybe even a couple of Chevys :O The majority of Jeep owners here don't seem to know what the Wave is. 4 door JKs are everywhere