Over the last few years, the Jeep community has adopted a new “tradition” called “Duck Duck Jeep.” Hundreds of thousands of people participate in this tradition all over the country, and even more Jeep lovers around the world. Perhaps you have already seen a parked Jeep with a rubber duck on its hood and wondered what it is about. If you want to find out, or perhaps even duck someone yourself, read along and discover what it's all about.
What Does it Mean if You've Been Ducked?
“You’ve been ducked!” may sound a little odd at first, but if someone were to tell you that you are pretty lucky, something good would happen to you. If you have been ducked, you should find a small rubber duck somewhere on your Jeep and perhaps even a small note attached to it, likely expressing praise for your eye-catching Jeep. If you are lucky, the rubber duck may be personalized using a custom handmade design.
History Behind Jeep Ducking
So, why do Jeeps have ducks, and how did this trend start? It originated from Allison Parliament, the founder of the now popular trend called Jeep Ducking. She is also responsible for popularizing the social media hashtag #DuckDuckJeep.
Her idea sprouted one day when she became a victim of a physical and verbal assault at a rest stop. After this unfortunate event, she went to a local general store and noticed a large bag of rubber ducks for sale. For some reason, the rubber ducks piqued her interest. She decided to buy them and hand them out as an act of kindness.
This is why she left one on a modified Jeep standing in the general store's parking lot. The vehicle looked so good that she just had to leave one of the rubber ducks on the Jeep’s mirror, with a note saying, “Nice Jeep, have a great day!” as a token of appreciation. By doing so, she tried to make the world a better place by offsetting the wrongdoing of a stranger that she encountered with an action with a much more positive impact.
She even managed to witness the reaction of the Jeep’s owner, who seemed so happy to receive such an unexpected and kind gift. This ultimately persuaded Allison to make this act something greater—a whole social media movement. Shortly after, the movement gathered momentum and is still popular today.
Unspoken Rules of Jeep Ducks
There are also a few unspoken rules when it comes to Jeep ducking. However, these should be simple to follow. These rules are not barriers to preventing you from participating but just a few simple tips. Thanks to adhering to them, we can ensure that no harm is done and everyone involved stays happy. You mostly need to remember this: Jeep Ducking is about kindness. Given this, be friendly and do not get anyone involved uncomfortable.
First, be careful not to damage other people’s vehicles. None of us likes it when strangers touch our cars, possibly leading to scratched-up paint or worse damage. Be mindful.
Second, do not use profanities in your notes or make the messages that are to be attached to the rubber duck offensive or inappropriate in any other way. This also applies to the duck itself. If you want to personalize it with your design, do not draw anything inappropriate or offensive on the ducks. Again, simply be friendly and show kindness.
Third, remember that the duck may be easy to overlook, especially if the driver is in a rush. Place the rubber duck somewhere visible, such as the hood or the driver’s side mirror. Avoid placing the duck on the roof or one of the wheels, where it is unlikely to be noticed. At the same time, try not to avoid the owner’s privacy by throwing the duck inside the vehicle by, for example, trying to squeeze it through a gap in the soft top.
Last but not least, while it's Duck Duck Jeep, you may also duck other vehicles that are not precisely Jeeps but are Jeep-like. A Toyota Land Cruiser, Suzuki Samurai, Mercedes-Benz G Wagon, Ford Bronco, Land Rover Discovery, and other vehicles are also worth ducking.
Jeep Culture
As you can see from the Duck Duck Jeep trend, there are many enthusiasts in the Jeep community who appreciate their vehicles. With various car meets all over the world, the community is still growing to this day.
Additionally, the Jeep culture is built on helping one another, which is emphasized by the various Jeep-centered forums, Facebook pages, and other groups that focus on fixing and improving Jeeps of all kinds and embrace them for their qualities but also their quirks.
If you are part of this amazing community, head to Jegs.com, where you can find a wide variety of parts and accessories for your Jeep. Whether you have a 2024 Gladiator or an old Jeep CJ, Jegs.com has you covered with high-quality components at favorable prices and a helpful sales team ready to help you choose the right parts for your ride.
If you want to feel more included in the community or even just show appreciation to some Jeep owners, get a few Jeep ducks and brighten the owners’ day with this kind gesture. If you own a Jeep and end up on the receiving end, you may also decide to pass on your duck to another Jeep owner and spread the Jeep spirit further. Alternatively, you can collect the ducks, build an impressive collection of rubber Jeep ducks, and display them behind your windshield.
