LIVE from New Mexico (Part 4)

Lesson #3: The Hand Nod

They may not keep schedules and everything might take a little longer, but New Mexico has California beat in friendliness and hospitality. Nothing illustrates this better than a phenomenon that causes me to literally laugh out loud every time I see it: The Hand Nod.

Before I discuss The Hand Nod, let me once again take you back to school. I don't think it matters what grade level you talk about, everyone at some point wants desperately to avoid the teacher's
attention. Whether you forgot to take turns on the swings in kindergarten or you didn't read the assignment in college, we've all slunk down in the seat, avoided eye contact, or kept our heads down. That's kind of how I drive when my travels take me anywhere involving photo ID badges and guards with guns. I'm constantly paranoid about doing something wrong and getting in BIG trouble.

When I first encountered The Hand Nod, it scared me. There I was with my head down, trying to avoid attracting any attention to myself or the fact that I couldn't remember how to get back to my test site from the cafeteria, when I saw it.

Am I speeding? Did I blow a stop sign? Are the warning lights red? Does he know I'm lost? I couldn't figure out why I had gotten The Hand Nod. Heck, at that point I didn't even know what it was. I
pressed on, figuring it was an anomaly. It happened again later that day. It kept happening. Now I do it too.

So what it is? Let me instead explain HOW to do it.

Step 1. Approach an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian, or a pedestrian crossing the roadway.

Step 2. Make sure hands are in proper hand nod position. Having at least one hand on the steering wheel at 12 O'clock works best (either left or right hand is fine).

Step 3. Leaving your thumb on the steering wheel, raise your index and middle finger so they are fully extended from your hand. *NOTE: the hand nod can be performed with up to four fingers, but you don't want to appear over zealous unless you've had plenty of practice.

Step 4. With your fingers extended, gently nod your head not more than 5 degrees. Smiling is not necessary.

Step 5. Simultaneously return your fingers to their position around the steering wheel and raise your head back to a level driving position. The entire process should only take a second or two at most.

A few notes on proper form (these may require practice, set up a mirror in your garage for best results):

• Try to make brief eye contact without moving your head from side to side.
• Use only your eyes and keep the contact for only a fraction of a second.

As a contractor on site for only a week, making new friends wasn't part of my plan during my visit. My goal was to remember the names of those I am working with and get to and from the cafeteria without getting lost, blowing something up, or having armed guards take me into custody. The Hand Nod gave me the confidence I needed to feel more at home during my stay and that is the most significant thing I will take with me when I leave tomorrow afternoon. So New Mexico, as I taxi down the runway tomorrow like a scalded-ass monkey, keep an eye out for The Hand Nod, from me to you.