Having a car makes you better than everyone else

[Finduilas]

Why do some people think that just because they have enough money to own a shiny fancy Mercedes, that makes them better than people who don't?
I am currently attending college in a medium-sized town in Massachusetts... and I have run out of money on my meal plan. So, my roommate and I went down to CVS to get some oatmeal to stave off the hunger pangs for the next week before we get to go home to real food.
We have to cross an intersection in order to get to it. This intersection has been terribly designed for one so close to a school. There are no crosswalks anywhere, and there are no crosswalks a mile north or south of it, either. So, we have to take our chances to cross, and hope that we won't get run over.

We usually wait for that moment when both ways have a red light and run across. However, one kind soul stopped for us, so we stepped in front of them and waited for the cars going the other direction to notice that we were trying to cross and do the same. The aforementioned Mercedes then comes into play. He stops, and we cross and wave our thanks. Once we get across the street, he rolls down his windows and shouts, "You assholes! You could get yourselves killed!"

I was SO INCENSED WITH RAGE! I am extremely uncomfortable crossing the road even WITH a sidewalk, let alone in the situation I had to deal with here! I'd like to see that rich jerk find himself without a car for a day, and see what he does to cross the road-- do you think he'd grow wings and fly?

......I imagine that I could have put this into Morons in Management, as the Managers of the transportation for this town had to be total morons to completely fail to provide us with a crosswalk to get to the only store within walking distance..... then I would not have to be telling this story...

[CanadaGirl]

Is there any way to petition getting a crosswalk painted and signs put up there?

[gunsage]

Ah, but see, herein lies the problem with that transaction. He's shouting at you like King Asshole from his car...a pretty car...a pretty car that costs lots of money...money that he may only BARELY be able to afford. Yeah, TRASH THAT BITCH AND RUN! MWAAAHAHHAAHAHHAAHAHAA!! :lol:

[chops]

Is there any way to petition getting a crosswalk painted and signs put up there?
As a former resident of Massachusetts, I can guarantee you that crosswalks would not have done much to help the cause. That state has some of the worst drivers in the country, and they don't call 'em Massholes for nothing.

[Finduilas]

If the crosswalk was guarded by a stoplight, then it would help.... and we know that no one would shell out the money for anyone who's not going to put the money back into the town. That's certainly not a bunch of poor college students (and rich kids who go into Boston for each and every need...)!

[ArenaBoy]

Why do some people think that just because they have enough money to own a shiny fancy Mercedes, that makes them better than people who don't?

I blame the fact that people equate a car with status. I also think it's a ego compensator for some because their lives are so pathetic that they have to rely on a large hunk of metal to flaunt their status. Childish if you ask me.

Heck, this thread reminded me of something that happened yesterday. I was on a freeway that had a speed limit of 55 (Exit road), I was going 60 and I see this guy in a BMW tailgating me. He's on his phone and he's got this smug look. I slowdown to 55, he's not slowing down. So I slow down to 50 and he passes me and gives me this look that said "asshole." I just smiled and waved at the guy. /threadjack.

[Amethyst Hunter]

"Nice car."

"Thanks."

"I'm so sorry."

"...why?"

"Living with a micropenis must be pretty rough, huh?" :devil:

[Dreamstalker]

If the crosswalk was guarded by a stoplight, then it would help....
Not if said crosswalk is covered with snow :mad: When we got snowed in Thursday afternoon, walking home required crossing some main streets in my town. Despite both the presence of a working traffic/pedestrian signal, and the fact that cars weren't going anywhere anyway as everything was gridlocked long into the night, I still got honked at, revved at, and almost outright hit a few times crossing at the marked crossings. Just because you, oh driver, can't see the crosswalk doesn't mean it's not there. Ignoring the light isn't going to make the gridlock go away either.

[protege]

I blame the fact that people equate a car with status. I also think it's a ego compensator for some because their lives are so pathetic that they have to rely on a large hunk of metal to flaunt their status. Childish if you ask me.

I always find it amusing to see BMW, Mercedes, and similar cars getting stuck in the winter...and my seriously-less-expensive Toyota Corolla going through the same "bad spot" without problems :D Years ago though, most of those cars were bought for their handling and build quality. Now they're bought simply to impress people. If I had the chance to get one, I'd go for a 2002, early 3-series, or a Mercedes "fintail" sedan. Parts for those are cheap as nails, and durable as hell :p

BTW, some of those BMW owners might still be pissed that one of the car magazines said that the Mazda Protege had "BMW verve for half the price" a few years back ;)

One more thing. Sure, they can afford to buy an expensive car, but some of the parts needed to keep them *running* are expensive as hell. Not only that, but some of them can be downright hard to find, and a bitch to fit. Take the Ferraris--on some models (like the older 400-412 series), a cambelt change can cost more than the car's worth!

[Mr. Rager!]

I don't know, if I could afford a Mercedes or a BMW (trust me, it's in the plans for a 5-series) I would feel VERY proud of my accomplishments. In most cases, it takes a lot of hard work to be able to afford those things. Whether or not they necessarily think they're better than anyone, I don't know. Someone with a beat up 1988 Buick could've very well have done the same thing.

As far as cars getting stuck in the ditch. It's how the peson drives it. I have my GTP... I've seen 4Runners stuck in the ditch... I've never been stuck in the ditch.

[draggar]

Having lived in New England and driven in many other places in the US I can agree, Mass has the *worst* drivers in the US. Worse than NYC drivers. Worse than the rich-Boca Raton retireees.


Sounds like you go to FSU.

[Dreamstalker]

And my mom wonders why I choose not to drive...the other drivers scare the hell out of me. At least on foot I can easily get out of the way.

[ArenaBoy]

I don't know, if I could afford a Mercedes or a BMW (trust me, it's in the plans for a 5-series) I would feel VERY proud of my accomplishments. In most cases, it takes a lot of hard work to be able to afford those things. Whether or not they necessarily think they're better than anyone, I don't know. Someone with a beat up 1988 Buick could've very well have done the same thing.

Being proud of your achievements is one one thing, but it's people who think that because they own a Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, or Corvette that the world should bow down is another. I have a few stories about people using their car as an excuse for something they didn't agree with and I would hear people make those claims. They are such people who think these things be it clothes, electronics, positions, or cars.

[protege]

Being proud of your achievements is one one thing, but it's people who think that because they own a Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, or Corvette that the world should bow down is another.

Exactly. All too often, people who own those cars are either assholes, or um, "compensating" for something.

For example, Pittsburgh has their Vintage Grand Prix towards the end of July each year. There are events the entire week, including a massive car show on Saturday. Naturally, all of the local clubs have some sort of display or gathering. One thing I can't stand, are the idiots who buy a new Porsche (or Corvette, or whatever), and insist on displaying it at a *vintage* car show. I mean, it's rather pathetic if that's all you have going for you.

As for my MG, yes, I sometimes talk about it quite a bit ;) However, I'm not trying to impress anyone with it. I see that car as a *reward* for working hard the past 10 years. I took it on because I couldn't bear to see it scrapped, or because I can't imagine it *not* being around. It's been part of my life for so long, it's a member of the family now.

[chops]

Having lived in New England and driven in many other places in the US I can agree, Mass has the *worst* drivers in the US. Worse than NYC drivers. Worse than the rich-Boca Raton retireees.
Then again, I had thought they were the worst...until I moved to Virginia. While neither can be bothered to signal lane changes, at least Massholes generally signal their turns.

[Finduilas]

I do not know what kind of bizarro-Massachusetts you've been driving in, but I am surprised whenever anyone uses their blinkers... although I think Connecticut highways, most saliently route 84, are the worst.

[chops]

bizarro-Massachusetts

Isn't it all? :lol:

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Then again, I had thought they were the worst...until I moved to Virginia. While neither can be bothered to signal lane changes, at least Massholes generally signal their turns.

At least they know how to halfway use a turn signal.

Come slightly south to NC . . . where you will see drivers displaying various skills as eating/cellphone yapping/drinking coffee with their knee handling the steering wheel, flipping back and forth through 4 lanes with the agility of a yak on skates, last minute turns and tailgaiting skills that should only be seen in the Redneck Olympics.

Oh, I didn't mention turn signals, did I? Guess what: they're optional here. Or, if you prefer, use the opposite one . . . . that's always sure to amuse.:rolleyes:

[Finduilas]

Wasn't it a North Carolina senator a year or two ago that wanted to put forward some bills preventing people from putting their seats all the way back and driving ghetto-style?

...And, off-topic, wasn't he the same one that tried to ban people sagging their pants to underwear-showing levels?

[DGoddessChardonnay]

Wasn't it a North Carolina senator a year or two ago that wanted to put forward some bills preventing people from putting their seats all the way back and driving ghetto-style?

...And, off-topic, wasn't he the same one that tried to ban people sagging their pants to underwear-showing levels?

Seems like I've heard something about that, but I can't recall which senator it was. :headscratch:

[Mr. Rager!]

Being proud of your achievements is one one thing, but it's people who think that because they own a Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, or Corvette that the world should bow down is another. I have a few stories about people using their car as an excuse for something they didn't agree with and I would hear people make those claims. They are such people who think these things be it clothes, electronics, positions, or cars.

I just think if the person didn't drive a Mercedes, we'd just be calling them an asshole... not a rich asshole or a stuck up asshole.

[Finduilas]

My aunt and uncle each have their own BMW-- one white, one black, and one extra red one to decorate the garage (that one is very old). Otherwise, they live quite a frugal lifestyle (though not impoverished). The only extravagance is those cars of theirs... and they drive them like the precious gems they are-- with RESPECT and CARE so that they won't get crushed and torn apart in a peniscrash that a rich asshole midlife crisis sufferer would get into.

[Mr. Rager!]

Why do some people think that just because they have enough money to own a shiny fancy Mercedes, that makes them better than people who don't?


My aunt and uncle each have their own BMW-- one white, one black, and one extra red one to decorate the garage (that one is very old). Otherwise, they live quite a frugal lifestyle (though not impoverished). The only extravagance is those cars of theirs... and they drive them like the precious gems they are-- with RESPECT and CARE so that they won't get crushed and torn apart in a peniscrash that a rich asshole midlife crisis sufferer would get into.

My theory still has me believe that he would be an asshole even if he were driving a Ford Tempo.

My grandparents have something like 5 Mercedes, 3 Porches, an Audi TT, several classic cars, a Ford F150-King Ranch and other cars I don't remember. My grandpa went from dirt poor to stinkin' rich. Guess what? He was a jerk to everyone all his life.

It's not the car that made this guy a jerk. He's always been this way. Why bring up the car?

[Finduilas]

That is a good question, Sir Fashion Lad, very good indeed.

........I just wrote a huge long paragraph, trying to think of a reason why rich people are more likely to be assholes than the rest of us, but I kept tearing holes in my own argument. I guess I, as a poor and lowly girl just trying to get a good education without bankrupting herself, find myself resentful of everyone in their warm cars.
The fact that it was a rich guy who either a. had daddy buy him a car in college b. didn't go because daddy took care of it or c. worked his way through college and got a degree and put it to use to get rich.... made me mad. Because in the first two instances he has no right to tell me that I'm stupid because I am most certainly not, and he has no way of knowing that, and in the third, he should know what it's like to be poor (and thus carless, since our favorite horseless carriages are the biggest moneysuckers of all).
So I am not angry because he had a Mercedes, but I was angry because he was an asshole. The Mercedes just made it worse because it was so shiny and nice and didn't deserve an asshole driving it.

[Lvl_9_Gazebo]

Come slightly south to NC . . .

Oh, I didn't mention turn signals, did I? Guess what: they're optional here. Or, if you prefer, use the opposite one . . . . that's always sure to amuse.:rolleyes:

Asheville: Turn signals are for the tourists

(unofficial motto of the tourism capital of NC)

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

Wasn't it a North Carolina senator a year or two ago that wanted to put forward some bills preventing people from putting their seats all the way back and driving ghetto-style?



Yo, check this out! Black guys drive a car like this:
(leans back, one hand on the wheel, other on the windowsill) Doo doo, ch, doo-bee-doo, doo-bee-doo-bee-doo

Yeah, but white guys, see, they drive a car like this:
(nasally, leans forward) Dee-da-dee, a-dee-da-dee-da-dee-da-dee...

http://www.allfreeclipart.com/cartoons/cartoon57.gif: Ah ha ha! It's true, it's true! We're so lame!

[Dreamstalker]

Come slightly south to NC . . . where you will see drivers displaying various skills as eating/cellphone yapping/drinking coffee with their knee handling the steering wheel, flipping back and forth through 4 lanes with the agility of a yak on skates, last minute turns and tailgaiting skills that should only be seen in the Redneck Olympics.

In NM, we would see that often on I-25. With the added bonus of dogs bouncing around unsecured in pickup beds :pissed:

[chops]

Come slightly south to NC . . . where you will see drivers displaying various skills as eating/cellphone yapping/drinking coffee with their knee handling the steering wheel, flipping back and forth through 4 lanes with the agility of a yak on skates, last minute turns and tailgaiting skills that should only be seen in the Redneck Olympics.
Oh, I didn't have to. Since I was just slightly north of NC, they were all around me. Plus, it seems like they had taught their neighbors some of their mad skillz. :rolleyes:

Then again, I would visit NC occasionally when the Powerball jackpot was sufficiently awe-inspiring, so I've seen it from both sides.

[Iced Coffee Man]

Yo, check this out! Black guys drive a car like this:
(leans back, one hand on the wheel, other on the windowsill) Doo doo, ch, doo-bee-doo, doo-bee-doo-bee-doo

Yeah, but white guys, see, they drive a car like this:
(nasally, leans forward) Dee-da-dee, a-dee-da-dee-da-dee-da-dee...

http://www.allfreeclipart.com/cartoons/cartoon57.gif: Ah ha ha! It's true, it's true! We're so lame!

:roll:
Glad I wasn't the only person thinking that
:highfive: