EDITOR'S COLUMN - If Graaff-Reinet, or any small town in South Africa surrounded by a farming community for that matter, had its own 10 commandments of driving, one of the laws set in stone would read:

"Thou shalt raise a finger or two off thy steering wheel as a friendly greeting to fellow drivers."

Driving through the streets of Graaff-Reinet, you often see this traditional art among the townsfolk - motorists offering each other the steering wheel hand wave.

It involves the friendly act of waving at other motorists as they pass you on the road in the opposite direction. I think this practice is probably more common in smaller towns because just about everybody knows everybody else.

However, I think the simple "finger wave" is truly one of those little things that really define small-town living.

The real rule behind it being that you speak to everyone. Whether you know them or not, everyone in this quaint little town you call home deserves at least the one finger wave. Even the toughest, most anti-social individuals will more often than not participate in the steering wheel hand wave.

Now, from what I've seen, the steering wheel hand wave has three variations: the simple finger wave from one hand on the steering wheel, the full hand wave from the steering wheel and an actual waving of the hand off the steering wheel - the highest, most sincere wave you can offer when you have a little more enthusiasm to offer.

A lot of the times you offer the hand wave and don't get one in return. No biggie - some motorists may not have seen it in time and have already passed you on the road by the time they think to respond, others may not see you at all and some just don't care.

Here in Graaff-Reinet, I've tried the steering wheel hand wave with mixed results. Most of the time, I'm preoccupied with some thought going through my head involving work or family and the hand wave just doesn't materialize.

When I do, however, happen to do the wave, or be on the receiving end of one, the ritual of the finger salute always serves as a quick fix for the spirit, a small gesture that reminds me of the kindness and customs associated with our small town.

An afterthought... Maybe you sometimes feel like giving a different, less friendly version of the finger wave, but in such a small, close-knit community as ours, no one can afford to be rude in public. In my book a very good thing!

'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'