Why do people around the world wave to say hello?
The Wave
Why do people around the world wave to say hello?
You lift your hand. You swing it side to side. Across a parking lot, your friend sees you and waves back. In Japan, in Brazil, in Kenya — people everywhere do this. Why? When did humans decide that wiggling your hand in the air means "hello"?
The wave is older than any language you speak. Way before "hello" or "hola" or "konnichiwa," humans had to show strangers one thing fast: I'm not holding a weapon. An empty hand in the air meant peace. Look — nothing sharp, nothing hidden. Just me.
