I’m a school bus driver and we always wave to each other - for no particularly good reason, just like boat occupants. I tell my kids that it’s actually required by law and you can be fired for not waving to other drivers. Hell, for all I know that’s actually true.

a lot of old maritime tradition / custom seems very quaint and very fascinating, there’s sort of an uncanny valley of weirdness, almost. i guess because if you’re out at sea that long, your mind knows it shouldn’t quite be possible, seeing another person feels like a relief

similarly i was reading this old book called Sailing Alone Around the World and the dude waves and says good evening to the moon at night

The fog lifting before night, I was afforded a look at the sun just as it was touching the sea. I watched it go down and out of sight. Then I turned my face eastward, and there, apparently at the very end of the bowsprit, was the smiling full moon rising out of the sea. Neptune himself coming over the bows could not have startled me more. “Good evening, sir,” I cried; “I’m glad to see you.” Many a long talk since then I have had with the man in the moon; he had my confidence on the voyage.