I often forget that not everyone recognizes the “Jeep Wave.” In fact, after owning a Wrangler myself, I’m sort of bummed that, for the most part, other “common” make and model operators won’t really acknowledge you if you’re both driving the same car. Move into a niche model, though, and there’s typically something American drivers do to recognize each other. 

Interestingly, a Dutch tourist here to road-trip through California just asked Reddit why other Jeep drivers nod or wave at them. Well, I guess it’s truly a Jeep (and maybe an American?) thing.

Is it normal that other Jeep drivers wave at me?

Over the weekend, the tourist shared that after expecting something like a Ford Edge, the rental car company issued them a Jeep Wrangler Sahara.

The SUV is much larger than their car back home: a subcompact Toyota Yaris.

“From day one we have seen some other (mostly oncoming) Jeep drivers make a small wave or head nod at us while driving,” they write, “Another driver did the same thing when drove back from our trip to Sequoia National Park.”

Ah, yes; they’ve discovered a small pleasantry within Jeep culture. Of course, commenters have a lot to say on the topic; there are a couple hundred replies and even more interactions within them.

The conversation quickly turned to the unique presence of rubber ducks. It goes like this: if someone likes your Jeep (the styling, specs, features…standard or aftermarket mod), they might place a rubber duck on it for your “collection.” The more ducks Jeep drivers display on their dashes or elsewhere, the more “compliments” they’ve gotten.

The tourist replies that it would be great to get a duck, too.

“Now, I actually want one just for the fun of it,” the road-tripper writes. “I’ve been using this rental for eight days, so maybe I’m lucky.”