Porsche Greeting Protocol?
09-10-2010, 12:53 AM
#77
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: erin, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
will anyone admit that they wave to oncoming mini vans, while driving their own mini vans? What do people do when they see a porsche while driving their toyota? wave then?
09-10-2010, 01:10 AM
#78
09-10-2010, 08:07 AM
#80
Rennlist Member
I was parked in the open , on the end...as usual. I do this to avoid people who are unaware of the importance of "door integrity", and so I can look at my car for a good long time as I walk towards that shape.
Yesterday, a CAyman S drove up and right past me as I got in my car. Oblivious to the site of another, elder Porsche he proceeded to park between a Buick and a minivan. His Porsche, im my eyes, turned from a thing of beauty to just another car wedged into the anonymous mass of boulbus shapes.
His lack of awareness of his own car and the one he blankly passed by cheapened his car, and made mine feel special. It just goes to show you that it is not the cars that make the people but the people that make the cars.
Those who flash and wave in acknowledge other P cars, regardless of generation of air or water cooled...get it. And all the special things that make a Porsche a Porsche is re-born again.
Yesterday, a CAyman S drove up and right past me as I got in my car. Oblivious to the site of another, elder Porsche he proceeded to park between a Buick and a minivan. His Porsche, im my eyes, turned from a thing of beauty to just another car wedged into the anonymous mass of boulbus shapes.
His lack of awareness of his own car and the one he blankly passed by cheapened his car, and made mine feel special. It just goes to show you that it is not the cars that make the people but the people that make the cars.
Those who flash and wave in acknowledge other P cars, regardless of generation of air or water cooled...get it. And all the special things that make a Porsche a Porsche is re-born again.
09-10-2010, 09:14 AM
#81
button queen
Thread Starter
I started this thread and as an older guy who owned Porsches in the early 70s (and not since until only last year) was really curious what was going on with this courtesy that was prevalent "back in the day". I do appreciate the variety of replies and approaches. Here's what I take away:
1. I was right in presuming that the headlight flash or wave was still respected and practiced by those who seem to have a deep appreciation for the Porsche traditions, including the aura and culture, especially those still cooling with air and oil.
2. My perception that it has waned is accurate and probably related to the fact that there are now a LOT of Porsches of all ilk and that it has, to some extent, become a commodity to generations aligned with newer models.
So, I think I'm going to continue to flash the sports cars, even Boxsters and 996s (which do seem to be clueless). Maybe a very nice tradition can be preserved.
Keep an eye out for me.
1. I was right in presuming that the headlight flash or wave was still respected and practiced by those who seem to have a deep appreciation for the Porsche traditions, including the aura and culture, especially those still cooling with air and oil.
2. My perception that it has waned is accurate and probably related to the fact that there are now a LOT of Porsches of all ilk and that it has, to some extent, become a commodity to generations aligned with newer models.
So, I think I'm going to continue to flash the sports cars, even Boxsters and 996s (which do seem to be clueless). Maybe a very nice tradition can be preserved.
Keep an eye out for me.
09-10-2010, 10:12 AM
#83
Pro
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bethesda, MD
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I first got my car, I remember getting a courtesy nod from a younger guy in a glammed up 996. I thought it was pretty cool that he recognized the history.
That said, particularly with the new cars, there are just so many of them. I have not yet had a commute where I did not see a p-car. In fact, two days ago, I saw a white 993 cab and a red 997 turbo - we all three were in a line and I did not see any waves or headlight flashes.
ABCar is right in that they are commodity items - transportation appliances. Porsche has always been a status symbol. What used to set it apart is the beauty, speed and handling that you could expect because you paid so much - all three of which were far and away better than most other cars on the road. These days, Porsches are not the fastest or best handling cars per dollar. Heck, even the Neon SRT-4 (a $20k car in 2004) could outrun many Porsches (at least in a straight line - and that is where we all live most of our lives). So, engine technology has robbed us of some mystique. At least we still have beauty.
On that note, I am growing to respect the early 996 *because* it is so slab sided - just like the original 911. Even the early Boxsters are growing on me (much thanks to the Boxster Spyder). I have always liked the Cayman too.
Bob
That said, particularly with the new cars, there are just so many of them. I have not yet had a commute where I did not see a p-car. In fact, two days ago, I saw a white 993 cab and a red 997 turbo - we all three were in a line and I did not see any waves or headlight flashes.
ABCar is right in that they are commodity items - transportation appliances. Porsche has always been a status symbol. What used to set it apart is the beauty, speed and handling that you could expect because you paid so much - all three of which were far and away better than most other cars on the road. These days, Porsches are not the fastest or best handling cars per dollar. Heck, even the Neon SRT-4 (a $20k car in 2004) could outrun many Porsches (at least in a straight line - and that is where we all live most of our lives). So, engine technology has robbed us of some mystique. At least we still have beauty.
On that note, I am growing to respect the early 996 *because* it is so slab sided - just like the original 911. Even the early Boxsters are growing on me (much thanks to the Boxster Spyder). I have always liked the Cayman too.
Bob
09-10-2010, 12:46 PM
#84
Addicted Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I started this thread and as an older guy who owned Porsches in the early 70s (and not since until only last year) was really curious what was going on with this courtesy that was prevalent "back in the day". I do appreciate the variety of replies and approaches. Here's what I take away:
1. I was right in presuming that the headlight flash or wave was still respected and practiced by those who seem to have a deep appreciation for the Porsche traditions, including the aura and culture, especially those still cooling with air and oil.
2. My perception that it has waned is accurate and probably related to the fact that there are now a LOT of Porsches of all ilk and that it has, to some extent, become a commodity to generations aligned with newer models.
So, I think I'm going to continue to flash the sports cars, even Boxsters and 996s (which do seem to be clueless). Maybe a very nice tradition can be preserved.
Keep an eye out for me.
1. I was right in presuming that the headlight flash or wave was still respected and practiced by those who seem to have a deep appreciation for the Porsche traditions, including the aura and culture, especially those still cooling with air and oil.
2. My perception that it has waned is accurate and probably related to the fact that there are now a LOT of Porsches of all ilk and that it has, to some extent, become a commodity to generations aligned with newer models.
So, I think I'm going to continue to flash the sports cars, even Boxsters and 996s (which do seem to be clueless). Maybe a very nice tradition can be preserved.
Keep an eye out for me.
Edward
09-11-2010, 01:18 PM
#85
Nordschleife Master
Update. On the way back from Fister-DiPietro Motorsports on Monday, flashed and got a flash/wave back from a Boxster and a Cayman, but just a blank stare from a 997. Probably had his hands full with a Laté or something ... 
09-11-2010, 02:02 PM
#86
Rennlist Member
I'll keep an eye out for you Dan. Thanks for starting this thread. It brought back some good memories.
I bought a BMW 320i new in 1978. There were only a few others roaming the streets of Lubbock, TX then - there were far more 911s. The headlight flash was a must. It was kind of like an acknowledgement of kinship - you understood what all others didn't, that this was a cool car (most people thought they were just weird boxes). Can you imagine flashing BMWs these days? You'd burn out your head lamps and get more than blank stares! At least with Porsches, there's still some semblance of belonging to a small fraternity.
I bought a BMW 320i new in 1978. There were only a few others roaming the streets of Lubbock, TX then - there were far more 911s. The headlight flash was a must. It was kind of like an acknowledgement of kinship - you understood what all others didn't, that this was a cool car (most people thought they were just weird boxes). Can you imagine flashing BMWs these days? You'd burn out your head lamps and get more than blank stares! At least with Porsches, there's still some semblance of belonging to a small fraternity.
11-04-2010, 11:59 AM
#87
Burning Brakes
I enjoyed reading this thread and wanted to revive it with my experiences. Here in Atlanta, 911s are a dime a dozen especially the 997s. I love the tradition of the flash and want to keep it going so I wave or flash most pcars that cross my path.... but I have to tell you its a rare occasion when the other drivers acknowledge you. I suspect most newer pcar owners here arent enthusiast like the older car guys. Also of the 997s I have seen in the last 6 months, there are more female drivers that males here which is interesting observation.
No disrespect to the 997 guys that love their cars.... I would love to have one as a stablemate someday.
No disrespect to the 997 guys that love their cars.... I would love to have one as a stablemate someday.
I'll keep an eye out for you Dan. Thanks for starting this thread. It brought back some good memories.
I bought a BMW 320i new in 1978. There were only a few others roaming the streets of Lubbock, TX then - there were far more 911s. The headlight flash was a must. It was kind of like an acknowledgement of kinship - you understood what all others didn't, that this was a cool car (most people thought they were just weird boxes). Can you imagine flashing BMWs these days? You'd burn out your head lamps and get more than blank stares! At least with Porsches, there's still some semblance of belonging to a small fraternity.
I bought a BMW 320i new in 1978. There were only a few others roaming the streets of Lubbock, TX then - there were far more 911s. The headlight flash was a must. It was kind of like an acknowledgement of kinship - you understood what all others didn't, that this was a cool car (most people thought they were just weird boxes). Can you imagine flashing BMWs these days? You'd burn out your head lamps and get more than blank stares! At least with Porsches, there's still some semblance of belonging to a small fraternity.
11-04-2010, 12:31 PM
#88
A few weeks ago I was 1 for 6 on wave-backs from other Porsche drivers. Yesterday, 0 for 1. I am so fortunate to be driving this car; I won't be a snob and refuse to wave at newer models - I wave at every Porsche I see. Even Cayennes. (If they wave first).
11-05-2010, 12:17 AM
#89
Three Wheelin'
The wave thing is all about the volume of cars sold. As an older guy I remember when driving a British sports car (in my case a Daimler SP250, a.k.a. Dart in the UK) got you a wave from any other British car driver. That ended as more and more Brit cars got sold. Later, as a long time Aston owner I got waves from the very infrequent Astons I'd see. Now, with the proliferation of new AMV8s and DB9s, I seldom get a nod except from the other more vintage owners (the cars, not necessarily the drivers). Around here the 993 almost never gets any notice. The relatively huge volume of 996s produced was the beginning of the end - and how many of us have ever gotten a wave from a Cayenne owner.
