In French Polynesia, it’s the “shaka” sign with the hand and/or a “nod.” In close, there’s a two-stage hand shake and/or a hug with a kiss on each cheek.
Where we are now on Great Barrier Island, it’s a wave of the hand off the steering wheel when you drive past a car and then also a simple “hi” or a nod and smile when walking.
In these cultures, these are the normal things to do.
Signs of recognising another human and also in a small way a sign back to ourselves to say we choose to live in a place where people do this.
This is what we do here.
Well, how do you know? How do you know if they are going to wave back?
What if they don’t?
What if I smile or wave and I’m left hanging? I’ll wait for a sign…
It’s also happening in your culture daily
These subconscious calculations are the same ones that run when you go to the gym and see the new person, when you go to the store, when you are at the pool, whether you choose to start (and continue) your podcast, your project that you want to share…
It’s the narrative of not wanting to be criticised, not wanting to be the odd one.
So sometimes, we don’t wave, we don’t go. We wait. Then they wave and we rush to fit ours in..
We rush to catch up. Messy.
Of course, the solution is a simple one.
Wave first.
Always.
Small towns, big towns.. Not in a systematic, non-connected way, but creating a habit of being the first waver, the first hugger, the first nodder.
The first person to recognise, to connect.
Ten times out of ten, they’ll wave back and connect, even when you’re new. We crave connection. We need more of it.
And if they don’t?
If nobody waves? If nobody listens to your podcast or notices your project..?
Well, you probably won’t be burned at the stake.
