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Why do VW owners hang Flower Garlands (Leis) from their rear view mirrors?

This is a question which has been asked many times over the years and below is a post we made back in 2016.

Most people have seen a classic VW van with a flower garland adorning the rear view mirror and most people just shrug their shoulders and think “Hmm, VW owners”.

Those of us who drive VW vans use them for a variety of reasons.

Many people see them as a must-have for their bus. They go out looking for a garland that either matches the colour scheme of their beloved bay or their scrumptious splittie, or simply one in their favourite colour.

People often buy them simply so that other VW owners will give them “The Wave” – a very specific 2 fingers raised, wobbly wristed “YO DUDE!!” kind of affair.

T4 and T5 owners especially are coming into the new world of lei ownership because of the dreaded “builders Van” syndrome.

There is no greater feeling, whilst cruising the highways and byways, than when you see the telltale form of a VW bus headed towards you. You smile, you get your 2 fingered salute ready, your hand is half way raised and then you realise ….. Its a builders van. At this point you either go with it and continue with the wave and feel embarrassed when the oncoming driver ignores you. Or you lower your hand in shame and continue your journey feeling temporarily deflated.

The solution preferred by many is that you will only wave if you see a lei. This is a great way to save face but also an even better way to generate happiness in the sure and certain knowledge that as you start to raise your hand and spot the lei, you will be greeted with a smile and a wave in return for your efforts.

This is far from the complete story. Please comment below and tell us your Lei related stories.

2 thoughts on “Why do VW owners hang Flower Garlands (Leis) from their rear view mirrors?

  1. Your answer is fair enough but doesn’t really touch in the origins of the Lei,
    Originally VW vans caught on with the surf crowd and the Lei is from the home of surfing, Hawaii and the south Pacific. So it was and still is (partially) a proud to be a surfer thing😁🤘

    1. Thanks for the comment. Yes, we agree that this is just one part of a very complex story around leis.

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