#7: Here’s Your Sign!
Americans are obsessed with their vehicles. As the Toyota Research Institute CEO, Gill Pratt said recently in the news, during his job interview with Toyota, they talked mostly about love. They explained that the relationship between a person and their car is different than a person and their refrigerator. People tend to love their cars, but people tend to not love their refrigerators. Many cars are an extension of people’s personality; their personal billboard to the world. So what does your car say about you and are you exposing too much?
I have to say, as a single gal, if I meet a guy of small stature with a huge over-sized, raised, pickup truck, I immediately think, “Oh, this guy is overcompensating for something.” Then if he has plastic balls hanging from the trailer hitch, a rebel flag sticker in the window, I scream inside “Warning, redneck alert! Run in the opposite direction fast!” There is no way, I would be caught died inside that vehicle or with that guy. True, he might be a really nice guy but judging from the things he says with his vehicle, we can safely say that we are not compatible.
Today, I was on my way to work and as I was traveling on the highway, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, a really nice black pickup truck. As it slowly passed me, I admired the mirror reflection of the shine, the curves of the truck and the sleekness of the black paint job. I was thinking to myself, that’s a nice truck. Then he passed me. Too my shock and horror, this beautiful truck had this portrait on across the back bumper.
So, what information is this guy sharing with the other patrons of the road? That he knows where the bodies are buried? That he’s an asshole and likes to torture women? That he’s a bad ass in general? Or maybe that he’s into S&M and here is my handwork? Not sure but, is this really the first impression you wish to reveal of yourself to others? All I can say is, I hope this guy is married because any sane female would turn and run if that truck came to pick them up for a first date.
I can understand the “My kid is an Honor Student” or “Navy Pride” stickers on cars. I can even accept the stick family on your back window. I personally have a heart shape sticker with a paw print on the back of my car. All these stickers represent things we are proud of, or love. They are an extension of our personal lives. I love my dog and I’m proud to share that with the world. No shame there. However, I’m proud I like to gag and tie women up and put them in the back of my truck? Somehow I don’t see the connection. Why would you want to share that information?
Here’s another example, what does a memorial of a deceased loved one say about you? Personally, I find the RIP stickers a bit morbid. I have several loved ones who have passed away but I have no desire to share my grief with the world. Do these people want sympathy for their loss? Do they enjoy walling in the pain? We’ve all lost people, why the urge to stick it on your car and have to look at it every day? Talk about picking a scab and rubbing salt into the wound; that would be the way to go. I understand the need to honor the deceased, so volunteer at a cancer center, or plant a tree but don’t advertise their death on your vehicle.
If we are truly trying to communicate an important fact about ourselves by the things we display on our vehicles, then what about the hanging balls on the truck…what are you trying to tell us with those? That you lost your balls to your wife and reattached them to your truck? That you have huge ones? Not really interested with that image floating around in my head. Or is it a “Help Wanted-in search of my balls-looks sort of like this” sign to help you find yours? Whatever the case may be, know this, we are watching and we hear you loud and clear. However, don’t be surprised when people treat you a certain way and you feel a bit judged. Your personal billboard told it all.
