Cars and other things that brand the owners

[LuvOrlando]

I was driving behind a Prius yesterday and I had a striking thought that the person driving would probably scold me about something if given half the chance, and that made me giggle.

Next thought was how incredibly powerful branding messages have become, when did this happen that the car in front of me is not driven by a person but a stereotype? The person in front of me could be perfectly lovely and driving a hand me down car from someone who scolds .

Until right then I didn't realize the branding of things had crept up on me in such a big way and now I'm wondering what other subliminal brand messages are causing me to judge others and also how to make it stop.

 

[tvguy]

Allegedly the unit at the California Highway Patrol Academy on aggressive driving is known as "Dealing with Prius Syndrome"

https://www.kcconfidential.com/2013/08/20/hearne-study-fingers-bmw-prius-drivers-as-biggest-jerks/

 

[citruscurtis]

Do t-shirt brand you.. wait a minute I just asked a guy if his texas chainsaw massacre shirt defined him.... nope...fits really nice..so much for that hypothesis at the farmers market just

 

[LuvOrlando]

Do t-shirt brand you.. wait a minute I just asked a guy if his texas chainsaw massacre shirt defined him.... nope...fits really nice..so much for that hypothesis at the farmers market just

I very literally do not have the faintest idea what you are saying, can you try again?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Hummer cars?

Tesla cars?

 

[MICKIMINI]

Handicap license plate. Not a brand name, but it attracts big pick up trucks that like to tailgate!

 

[barkley]

if someone judges dh and I for the car we drive they are likely WAY OFF BASE b/c we are so NOT the marketed branding. we do not do outdoorsy stuff, will never use it off-roading and have no desire to join one of their extensive ownership communities either online or in person.

 

[easyas123]

I very literally do not have the faintest idea what you are saying, can you try again?

you, me & nearly everyone else

 

[LuvOrlando]

Hummer cars?

Tesla cars?

Yes!

Hummer says tough person who might punch things, it always struck me as odd to want tires that will re-inflate in the suburbs but they do love to park on snowbanks.

Tesla says an inner Prius driver who paid off their student loans & got a good job but is still very likely to want to scold me in some kind of way.

 

[LuvOrlando]

if someone judges dh and I for the car we drive they are likely WAY OFF BASE b/c we are so NOT the marketed branding. we do not do outdoorsy stuff, will never use it off-roading and have no desire to join one of their extensive ownership communities either online or in person.

So Jeep, maybe a Rubicon?

We had one on a lift and I needed a step stool to get into it. A Rubicon on a lift is a guy magnet so single ladies it is a solid option, just sayin. We did go off roading at a Jamboree once and it was a blast but I suggest an old beat up Jeep for such things

 

[LuvOrlando]

Handicap license plate. Not a brand name, but it attracts big pick up trucks that like to tailgate!

I have a handicapped placard for arthritis, for me it attracts lots of dirty looks.

 

[tvguy]

I have a handicapped placard for arthritis, for me it attracts lots of dirty looks.

Unfortunately for those with a legitimate need, the reality is many are being used fraudulently. They do stings in the downtown area here every once in a while where they check the cars parked in handicapped spots. Over half are being used by people who have no legal right to use them. An amazing number are being used by family members of legitimate users who are deceased. some for several years. Or family members and the legitimate owner is not with them.
I have a friend who has one. She and her 87 year old mother use walkers, and these days, there are so many placards out there that even places with lots of handicapped parking slots, all are filled.
Here in California that is complicated by a law that allows handicapped spots to also be used by EVs as charging stations parking spots.

 

[tvguy]

So Jeep, maybe a Rubicon?

We had one on a lift and I needed a step stool to get into it. A Rubicon on a lift is a guy magnet so single ladies it is a solid option, just sayin. We did go off roading at a Jamboree once and it was a blast but I suggest an old beat up Jeep for such things

We had a 4 wheel drive SUV, not a Rubicon, for 21 years. Never put it in 4 wheel drive. It was the color my wife wanted with exactly the options my wife wanted.......plus 4 wheel drive. Dealers just didn't have any 2 wheel drive versions.

 

[barkley]

So Jeep, maybe a Rubicon?

We had one on a lift and I needed a step stool to get into it. A Rubicon on a lift is a guy magnet so single ladies it is a solid option, just sayin. We did go off roading at a Jamboree once and it was a blast but I suggest an old beat up Jeep for such things

Ford Bronco Sport. it appealed to me b/c unlike the sedans and other options we looked at it's just a tad of a step up into it (more like sit and slide) for me vs sitting lower and having to rise up to exit (easier with arthritic knees and hips). I also liked that the back up camera has a larger interior viewer screen and the rear storage area sits higher so less bending over to put groceries in and out.

Unfortunately for those with a legitimate need, the reality is many are being used fraudulently. They do stings in the downtown area here every once in a while where they check the cars parked in handicapped spots. Over half are being used by people who have no legal right to use them. An amazing number are being used by family members of legitimate users who are deceased. some for several years. Or family members and the legitimate owner is not with them.

several of the grocery store and multi store parking lots here have signage on their handicapped spots that indicate that it is a tow away zone with a $500 fine. I've seen people in parking lots cheering and clapping when a tow truck hooks up someone illegally parked. I can get hit with a several hundred dollar fine if I so much as forget to put my own placard up on the rearview mirror despite having permanant plates on the car b/c they are assigned to my husband's id vs. mine.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Here in California that is complicated by a law that allows handicapped spots to also be used by EVs as charging stations parking spots.

What???

So people with disabilities what have a need can be pushed aside by people with a car that gets a perk?

Ain't that a let them eat cake punch in the face, pretty much sums up the values and they are utterly insane - I had no idea.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Ford Bronco Sport. it appealed to me b/c unlike the sedans and other options we looked at it's just a tad of a step up into it (more like sit and slide) for me vs sitting lower and having to rise up to exit (easier with arthritic knees and hips). I also liked that the back up camera has a larger interior viewer screen and the rear storage area sits higher so less bending over to put groceries in and out.


several of the grocery store and multi store parking lots here have signage on their handicapped spots that indicate that it is a tow away zone with a $500 fine. I've seen people in parking lots cheering and clapping when a tow truck hooks up someone illegally parked. I can get hit with a several hundred dollar fine if I so much as forget to put my own placard up on the rearview mirror despite having permanant plates on the car b/c they are assigned to my husband's id vs. mine.

Every time I see a Bronco now I immediately think OJ which is unfortunate as they are good vehicles

Twice my placard slid off and I got a ticket, all I needed to do was call and send proof I have the placard and offense was removed. Those things have the worst arm design so they just shimmy off and it says clearly it's illegal to drive with them on so I can;t just do a permanent fix, there is no great answer so far.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

I see a lot of hate for Nissan Altima drivers online.

 

[BrianL]

It's not necessarily the type of car, but also combined with driving habits. I judge more regarding bumper stickers or vanity plates, etc. That really tells you something about the person!

 

[dizneegirl]

Tesla says an inner Prius driver who paid off their student loans & got a good job but is still very likely to want to scold me in some kind of way.

You'd be wrong in that assessment for most of the Tesla owners I know and have met.

 

[MillauFr]

It's not necessarily the type of car, but also combined with driving habits. I judge more regarding bumper stickers or vanity plates, etc. That really tells you something about the person!

So what does your license plate frame say? My other car is a doom buggy?