# How to acknowedge soldiers when you pass a military vehicle? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 18, 2001, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277 "2001-10-18T19:30:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/1 "2001-10-18T19:30:21Z")
On my way to work, I routinely see vehicles full of military personnel, and I find myself wanting to signal to the soldiers in the back in some patriotic way as I pass by. What should I do? Waving: Doesn’t seem to convey any patriotism. I want to come across as more than just friendly. Peace sign: I don’t want them to get the wrong idea, like I’m some bark-eatin’ hippie that resents what they’re doing, and since I look like one, it would be easy for them to misinterpret. Saluting: I’ve never been in the military, so I don’t think I’m allowed to salute. Plus, it could be construed that I’m some smart-ass making fun of them. Thumbs-up: See “smart-ass” above. Anybody have any other suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/2 "2001-10-18T19:57:20Z")
If you’re an attractive female (which I don’t think you are, Dooku, are you?), you could flash them your breasts. :D:D Maybe a fist-up-and-bent-elbow “right on” kind of gesture? It doesn’t seem as likely to be misconstrued as smart-ass as thumbs-up or an inappropriate salute. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/3 "2001-10-18T20:26:13Z")
Drat, late again! I too have always thought that the “boobie flash” was the most appreciated by our young men in uniform! ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/4 "2001-10-18T21:11:14Z")
Waving would be just fine. Being friendly to unknown military folk IS being Patriotic. That gesture will always get a return wave if at all possible. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/5 "2001-10-18T21:20:56Z")
Nope, I’m not female, so I hesitate to flash my “breasts” at them, lest they pull me over and beat me to dust. Now that **UncleBill** has said waving was OK, I think I’ll try a combination wave, then thumbs up gesture. Thanks all! ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2001, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/6 "2001-10-18T21:59:00Z")
On behalf of my fellow female soldiers, save your boobie flashes. ---
**Author:** ![Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/7 "2001-10-19T00:50:52Z")
I’m thinking that a rifle salute is probably inappropriate 🙂 Seriously: what **UncleBill** said. Just being respectfully friendly is enough. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/8 "2001-10-19T00:55:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dooku \* > \*\*On my way to work, I routinely see vehicles full of military personnel, and I find myself wanting to signal to the soldiers in the back in some patriotic way as I pass by. What should I do? > > Waving: Doesn’t seem to convey any patriotism. I want to come across as more than just friendly.\*\* They’ll take a friendly wave as being an expression of support, trust me. ---
**Author:** ![Ell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e47774/32.png) [@Ell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ell)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/9 "2001-10-19T00:59:35Z")
I was once rowing and two boats full of uniformed sailors, all standing at attention, went past. I stopped rowing and saluted them and they all saluted back. I’d personally salute them, why aren’t you allowed to salute? ---
**Author:** ![Spavined\_Gelding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/10 "2001-10-19T03:00:06Z")
German kid use to flash the V for victory/ peace sign at troops. It was like making a fist pumping gesture at railroad engineers. The troops loved it and always waived or signed back. The breast flash is a bad idea. Too many soldiers got hurt falling out of the trucks. Just let them know that you know they are there. Any gesture, within reason, is appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Jimson\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/838e76/32.png) [@Jimson\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimson_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/11 "2001-10-19T14:44:16Z")
I’ve spent uncounted hours traveling in military convoys. Any form of greeting; waves, honks, even flashes were always appreciated. BTW I’ve never had a troop fall out of a duce due to a booby flash. Now, one PV1 I knew tried to jump in the bed of the pickup of one comely lass. But we held him back. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/12 "2001-10-19T14:53:46Z")
Smiling and waving always works for my kids. The soldiers wave back, usually. If you’re breast-impaired, you could throw money. ---
**Author:** ![AndyJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@AndyJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyJ)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/13 "2001-10-19T14:57:33Z")
I spent some time in the forces. UK not US but here’s my opinion. If someone saluted at us we’d probably laugh our heads off or think they were taking the piss. If they’re driving off to war, and I mean the front line, give them a thumbs up. That’ll do. If not why would you want to wave at them anyway? They’re only going to work. Could you imagine if people started saluting/waving at you on your way to work? You’d think they were mad! I’m assuming here you’re an adult. If you’re a kid then waving or whatever is OK, I’m sure they won’t mind. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/14 "2001-10-19T15:50:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AndyJ \* > **If not why would you want to wave at them anyway? They’re only going to work. Could you imagine if people started saluting/waving at you on your way to work? You’d think they were mad!** Yes, but when I go to work, I’m just going to write about kitchen cabinets and antique chairs. I’m not putting my life on the line for my fellow citizens, as part of my job description. In these times, many of us–here in NYC, esp.–get very teary-eyed when we see the cops and the firemen and the military. > [@](#): > > **If they’re driving off to war, and I mean the front line, give them a thumbs up.** Sadly, it seems we now live at the front lines. ---
**Author:** ![AndyJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@AndyJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyJ)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/15 "2001-10-19T16:01:10Z")
I doubt they’re putting their lives on the line everyday. If they did they’d all be nervous wrecks. A life in the military can be very boring some, not all, of the time. They’re probably going to run around some hills or to peel some spuds. I can sympathise with the feeling in your country right now but as I say these people are just doing their jobs. ---
**Author:** ![tsunamisurfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a698b9/32.png) [@tsunamisurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsunamisurfer)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/16 "2001-10-19T16:10:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by AndyJ \* > \*\*I can sympathise with the feeling in your country right now but as I say these people are just doing their jobs. \*\* Our U.S. troops are also doing the UK’s job, Germany’s job, France’s job, Spain’s job, Canada’s job, etc. ---
**Author:** ![AndyJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8491ac/32.png) [@AndyJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyJ)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/17 "2001-10-19T16:22:57Z")
\*\* [/QUOTE] Our U.S. troops are also doing the UK’s job, Germany’s job, France’s job, Spain’s job, Canada’s job, etc. \*\* [/QUOTE] What exactly are you saying tsunamisurfer? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/18 "2001-10-19T16:51:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tsunamisurfer \* > > Our U.S. troops are also doing the UK’s job, Germany’s job, France’s job, Spain’s job, Canada’s job, etc. \*\* Please, DNFTT ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/19 "2001-10-19T17:20:14Z")
I, too, have wanted to salute our military as I walk past so many of them in NYC’s train stations during my commute. But I once heard that most civilians do not know how to salute properly, and it ends up being more of a Nazi salute than an American one. Something about the angle at which the arm is placed, I think. Is this accurate? Can someone explain how a proper American salute is done? ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2001, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277/20 "2001-10-19T17:56:09Z")
I like to give them the ole Spaceballs salute. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-acknowedge-soldiers-when-you-pass-a-military-vehicle/88277.md?page=2)