My husband and children are still asleep when I put on my running shoes. It is seven in the morning when I step outside and let my watch search for a GPS signal. I take a deep breath and start up my Spotify 'sport 2024' list. It is the end of summer but it smells like early autumn outside. Outside, the temperature is pleasant yet the air already has the smell of fallen leaves. On the grass are the dewdrops from the previous night. The wind early in the morning is noticeably fresher than it was a month ago. As I leave the street, the sun rises. Feeling the first rays of the sun on my face, I am completely in my element at that moment. 

It is the end of August and in two days we will return home. I am currently running a lap in France at the holiday destination where we have stayed every summer for three years. I know the area and know the fastest way to get to the park nearby. On the way, the men fishing on the bridge look at me in amazement. They stare at me with a raised eyebrow as I walk by and, in time, pull their fishing rod slightly out of my direction so I don't trip over it. 

Once in the park, I have non-verbal connection with the oncoming crowd. There are other runners who, like me, want to organise their thoughts early in the morning, upgrade fitness and, frankly, soon have a good excuse to wolf down a buttercream croissant. Each runner nods or greets by raising a hand. Despite my breathing, I try to let out a 'bonjour' without dialect. I fear that my Dutch hips give away that I am not from here but for the next hour I am a sporty mademoiselle for a while.  

Road users

Truck drivers also salute each other. It is a gesture by fellow drivers as a respectful greeting. A few flashes of high beams when the truck behind you, is signalling to another truck driver. Sometimes if they know each other really well, same company probably, they still like to use their horn. Is totally not meant for you if you are in front of it with your passenger car. They just greet each other that way. I can imagine if you are not in that community, you see this as complete nonsense. 

Before having children, I had a motorbike just like my husband. Motorcyclists also greet each other. Especially if they see that you are a 'girl' but that is my experience. Then BMW and Audi drivers growl as they stand next to you at the traffic lights. When a motorcyclist sees another one they raise their hand, usually the left hand because on the right side is your throttle. If they pass you in a traffic jam and you move aside, you may get, from the friendly motorcyclist, an outstretched foot. 

Why don't highly pregnant people actually do this to each other by default? A respectful nod, just to let the other person know you are 'beside' her. Respect for carrying the extra weight, having to leave things for your baby's health, the pelvic discomfort and no longer being able to easily shave certain body parts. Just a simple nod out of politeness. Of course, you can also greet a pregnant woman as if she were no longer pregnant. Sort of a 'You can do this girl' nod to wish her well. Should the person you nod to not be pregnant...doesn't matter because then you are just a very friendly person and there is nothing wrong with that.