Negative reactions from Non Smarties

Ralph Weikart · 08-03-2009, 12:21 PM

I've had my White/Silver Passion for 7 weeks and love it. However, I am now concerned about negativity from some people. My wife and I have had 7 incidents from people that seem to hate the Smart Car. Most are from people who we pass and give us a thumbs down or the middle finger up. We had an incident when we were driving and the oncoming vehicle swerved into our lane and then swerved back. Last weekend, while parked at the local zoo we returned to find that someone had spit on the front windshield. The same day we had an incident where a man in a corvette yelled obsenities outside the window to us with looks that could kill. We were just wondering if anyone else has had similar incidents. We are now becoming afraid to park and leave it. We are just driving normally, not too slow and not too fast. All of the incidents were from white males in their 20's or 30's. Tell me if someone else has had similar experiences

forestacademy · 08-03-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ralph Weikart

. All of the incidents were from white males in their 20's or 30's. Tell me if someone else has had similar experiences

From your location as FW Im going to have to assume you meen TX?

These would be guys who use their rides to compinsate for their shortcommings. They are afraid the smarts sucsess may meen they will be forced to drive something in the future that will not compensate for them and their shortcommings will be reveiled.

Carl242 · 08-03-2009, 12:54 PM

I've certainly had my fair share of language vomited at me because some people somehow feel threatened by a cute and cuddly car made by French people. Just go to any news story involving a smart with comments to learn what angry people think of the car. I think in times like these when people are not sure how gas changes will or will not change, and how our lives could change as a result might feel threatened by something so radical as a tiny, fuel-efficient car. If people are spitting on your car they must feel very threatened about something.

Just don't take it personally. Most people I've seen love the car. If they don't just smile and wave at them. I sometimes put my bottom lip out and motion "yea, its small" with my hands, and it often changes the reaction to laughter. Poke a bit of fun at yourself and it might turn them around. If you're worried about vandalism or road range, maybe put an American flag on the car or show some from-the-heart patriotism in your own way. It might make the car less construed as "un-American" to some. Or you could get a humorus bumper sticker that says something like or "freedom to drive something FUN", "Shrinkage May Occur when Wet", "We gotta fight for our right to smaaartay" or "They'll give me the other half when I pay it off"

Bum-bling-B · 08-03-2009, 01:00 PM

Yep, everything is smaller in Texas when it comes to male body parts and IQ's.

That's why they have to compensate with the big vehicles or big horsepower vehicles.

John_H · 08-03-2009, 01:12 PM

I like the idea of the American flag or "support our troops" sticker.

The only people who would be this vile toward someone they don't know only because of what they drive are threatened. I've seen enough people declare their certainty that "Obama" is going to "force everyone" to drive small cars like the Smart. There's no concern for personal responsibility, personal financial burden, or personal choice in their reaction, they just see themselves as being forced in a direction they don't want to go.

It's these narrow minded individuals that also experience knee-jerk pride in the flag or the troops because they've been programmed that way. I have pride in my flag and support our troops. But I'm not one of "them." I wouldn't salute a bankrobber in fatigues or give a dog-beating lowlife a break because he's wearing something with the American flag. You might get a similar relief from the unreasonable "people" if you had an Anheuser Busch sticker on your car.

But if you're driving 50 on a 65 road, I'd expect that reaction most places. I assume that's not the case (certainly not for the spitter).

Carl242 · 08-03-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_H

I'd expect that reaction most places. I assume that's not the case (certainly not for the spitter).

Maybe the spitter was just misunderstood. Maybe it was actually someone DROOLING over your gorgeous car!

Bum-bling-B · 08-03-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_H

I like the idea of the American flag or "support our troops" sticker.

Great idea!!! Maybe the owner of the Smart down in Tampa with the American Flag on the ROOF as a sunshade will give us some pics for this thread. Spit on the car with the giant American Flag on the roof is the same as spitting on the flag......at least in Texas. Great idea John!

jimvw57 · 08-03-2009, 01:52 PM

Take a deep breath, cout to five and just smile at them. It's not worth getting worked up over. Some people hate Fords, Some hate Chevys, some just hate. It is good that they have a purpose in life. For every one that feels threatened by your car, you'll find 50 that love it.

Mud Pie · 08-03-2009, 02:22 PM

Just yesterday while driving down the lane at a Wal-Mart parking lot, I had a Suburban pull out RIGHT in front of me, making me lock up my brakes. I gave him the "whassup ?" with both hands because he SAW me coming, there were no cars between us.

He gave me the finger and continued on his way....

Yeah, Texas hospitality.....