Is it an Upstate New York phenonemon?

Broken Kid · 06-04-2008, 06:15 AM

Reading other people's stories in the forum, I was lead to believe that everywhere I went in my smart, people would be stopping me to ask a myriad of questions, taking pictures of me as I drove by, etc. Now I realize that I got mine a bit later than some, but I have yet to pass another smart on the road in Rochester, NY. And spending most of my life in upstate NY, I wonder if people here are a little different.

I have gotten questions and odd or curious looks, but not nearly as much as I expected. I think, for the most part, people in this part of the country tend to mind their own business. Are there any other upstate NYers who can weigh in on this? Are we unique in that we keep our thoughts to ourselves, for the most part? Or are people avoiding me, perhaps? I'd like to think it's the former.

Sylvan · 06-04-2008, 09:12 AM

In Rhode Island, I've gotten a few questions in parking lots, a few stares as we drive along the highway, but nothing like the media blitz like some people on the forum seem to indicate. I think it's just that the Northeast is a little more reserved, we keep to ourselves a little more. *shrug* I say, be happy. The little bit of attention I do get is plenty for me. If people were leaning out of their cars to take pictures as we're driving along the highway, I'd feel like a stalked celebrity or something.

jonnysan · 06-04-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken Kid

Reading other people's stories in the forum, I was lead to believe that everywhere I went in my smart, people would be stopping me to ask a myriad of questions, taking pictures of me as I drove by, etc. Now I realize that I got mine a bit later than some, but I have yet to pass another smart on the road in Rochester, NY. And spending most of my life in upstate NY, I wonder if people here are a little different.

I have gotten questions and odd or curious looks, but not nearly as much as I expected. I think, for the most part, people in this part of the country tend to mind their own business. Are there any other upstate NYers who can weigh in on this? Are we unique in that we keep our thoughts to ourselves, for the most part? Or are people avoiding me, perhaps? I'd like to think it's the former.

Quite the same experience as you but not as much as other parts of the country either. Most people who inquire actually thank me for taking the time to answer their questions. I haven't seen another smartie on the road yet, either, but then I don't drive that much. The wife drives it into downtown Albany to work during the week...her commute is twice as long as mine is so makes sense for her to use it rather than my 3 mile commute....

But almost every nite I can usually think of some reason to go out in it to get something somewhere.....

Maybe it's the Rochester area as you suggest. BTW....daughter #3 and family live in Webster. If I ever go out that way (she usually comes down to Albany as her other 2 sisters are down this way) maybe we can hook up for lunch and share some experiences with our smarts.
I've been in many photo opportunities on the road with the smart around here, BTW. Most people express positively to it I've found.....you know...thumbs up, big smiles, kids waving and carrying on in their cars over it pointing, whooping and hollering in some cases...that kind of thing...

Broken Kid · 06-04-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnysan

Maybe it's the Rochester area as you suggest. BTW....daughter #3 and family live in Webster. If I ever go out that way (she usually comes down to Albany as her other 2 sisters are down this way) maybe we can hook up for lunch and share some experiences with our smarts.

Sure. The only other smartie I know in person is the person I work with, and he only gets it when his wife lets it go as well. I guess one of the benefits of being single is I don't have that problem!

Quote:

I've been in many photo opportunities on the road with the smart around here, BTW. Most people express positively to it I've found.....you know...thumbs up, big smiles, kids waving and carrying on in their cars over it pointing, whooping and hollering in some cases...that kind of thing...

Most of the responses I've had have been positive too. I love when people smile and wave, just letting you know that they enjoy the car too. But I don't get nearly the amount of questions or harassment as other folks get. And yeah, I certainly don't mind that! Maybe it is a Northeast thing. We're more used to keeping to our own personal space.

dennyrex · 06-04-2008, 10:51 AM

you should go to the Niagara Falls deal this fall; there should be loads of them there. we're planning on making the trip from manhattan.

There's a thread here about it.

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...ar-cruise.html

curtis · 06-04-2008, 11:03 AM

It's not nearly as annoying as I thought It would be, I think the fact that I got mine tinted pretty dark the day after I got my car is part of the reason but I do get quite a few questions when I am in parking lots at Sams Club or at the grocery store. One thing I have noticed is some guys you would have never guessed would like a smart do. I have had some of the roughest big biker looking guys ask me lots of questions and make positive comments also alot of black dudes (sorry if that's not the PC term) want to take a look and tell me it's cool..I guess if everyone had smarts we could all get along!

Broken Kid, so your car is back on the road huh?

Old SGM · 06-04-2008, 01:34 PM

One of my kids live just outside Ft. Drum, north of Watertown. My Son-in-lay is a Blackhawk Pilot in the 10th Mountain Division. From what she tells me she had not seen a single Smart on the road.

The Honda Fit has been out over a year and she says they are just now showing up, mostly in Military Families.

They like living up there, with all the cold and snow, I cannot understand why, especially when the locals seem to hate the Military. But that is another story.

Broken Kid · 06-05-2008, 05:39 AM

For the first time, I got my picture taken in the smart. I was at the gas station getting my morning coffee, and one guy was asking me questions when I came out. Without the coffee, my responses were less than coherent. I got in the car while still talking to him, and another guy stopped filling his tank, pulled out a cell phone, and took a picture. Felt a little strange.

Broken Kid · 06-05-2008, 09:38 AM

Another first today: I was inside getting something to eat for lunch, and I saw three really rough-looking guys standing around my car. Next thing, they have a tape measure out measuring the car. When they came in the door, I told them "No, it won't fit in your truck." They were really nice and asked all the questions. I guess they were just measuring to see if they could really park perpendicular to the curb.

Broken Kid · 06-09-2008, 09:43 AM

So I pull into the drive-through at a Tim Horton's for my morning coffee, and the girl does a double take when she reaches out for my money.

Girl: That's a neat car. What is it?
Me: It's a smart.
Girl: Um...what does it do?

Unfortunately, not having had my morning coffee yet (and people should not ask me about my car before I've had my coffee), I wasn't able to think of anything witty. I just replied, "It's a car."

Perhaps a better answer would have been "Have you seen The Transformers?" and wink...