Haters

[1SmartB]

Do many of you have issues with Haters?

My wife and I have had our adopted Bee since 4/3/08 and since then we get a lot of thumbs up and honks of approval. However we also get at least one or two Haters in a crowd that put the car down. For example my wife was picking me up from the Ford dealership, again, and as soon as she buzzed in people were coming out of the woodwork to see the car. Most people were intrigued asking the usual cost, mileage, and manufacturer, but one guy was saying things like "I could use that as a light bulb for my Suburban.", I could see him laughing with his buddies.

We often talk about our responses to the Haters, here is what we have come up with so far.

"Oh yeah, George Bush said the same thing!"
"Our Smart is just like a Corvette without the gas guzzling engine."

[SmartDigger]

You just did the same thing to George Shame on you........

[sbernali]

Don't let it bother you. Just ask yourself whens the last time that guys truck got as much attention as your smart? I have one of the nicest Fiat 500l in the USA (well in my mind anyways) it was even in CLASSIC MOTORTREND. One guy came wright up to me as the people were going crazy over my little car and said "EURO TRASH!" I said "YUP BUT THEY LOVE IT!!" he just walked away. The only one who needs to love your smart is you! : )

[smartyPantz]

I dont make eye contact at ligths or in parking lots and I ignore people unless it is blatantly obvious that they are speaking to me.

If there are ppl around my car, I just say, "Excuse me," get in, and drive off. I have places to go.

[CruisingAZ]

I think in life, there are things that all of us do not like. If they don't like your car who cares... I don't like crowds but they seem to be everywhere I go.

I drive a Jeep and we make fun of Hummers, everyone does it. Just don't let it get too you.

[blackbeagle]

I agree. There's a hater in ever facet of life. In this case, they don't like the fact that you are getting a lot of attention because of your car. Like people have said, I ignore them. You drive what you drive. I drive what I drive. Just don't do damage to my car and stay in your lane. That's all I ask.

[sparkyAZ]

I find that people generally put things down because they are insecure OR they actually LIKE it —because it wasn't their idea or decision, they make a joke or try to justify their own decisions. I would take it as a compliment. Or you can just tell them to meet you at the gas pump and see whose still smiling after a fill up!

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by 1SmartB

"I could use that as a light bulb for my Suburban." ...I could see him laughing with his buddies.

Sorry to disagree, but I think you're being too sensitive! The comment sounds good-natured to me. He's not saying the smart is BAD because of its size. Some of the biggest thumbs-up I've seen are from truckers and big SUV owners. Same goes for gas-station chat. If people laugh, try laughing WITH them! The car invites jokes, but that's not a bad thing at all.

[race911]

The difference with this car is it's pretty much used for its intended purpose no matter what (unless you consider public transportation the first choice, no matter the cost in time/inconvenience). With the Hummers, etc., while I'm sure a small percentage of them are used in the most challenging off road situations for which they were designed, but all in all it's mostly a lifestyle statement. We're both getting to the same Dilbertville office park or shopping mall at about the same pace.

(Now I know the same could be said for sports cars, but at least there you're engaged in the activity of driving.)

[MichaelJ]

Originally Posted by sbernali

I have one of the nicest Fiat 500l in the USA

Ya gotta love the Cinquecento. A friend bought one new in 1976 for around $900. In the past few years in Italy, the 500 has become an absolute cult car with many of them looking better than they did when new.

You should appreciate this:

http://michaelj.smugmug.com/photos/86255026_WQUC8-L.jpg

Spotted at a garage and deserved a u-turn to stop and get a picture.