Negative reactions from Non Smarties

[bigcritter]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Perfect, I was looking for a photo of that but couldn't remember whos car it was.

Thanks! It gets a lot of attention.....ALL POSITIVE so far! Since I work on Ft. Lewis, I don't know how many Army soldiers I've had walk up to me and thank me for "flying the colors!" Just had one come walking up on a cane a few weeks ago to thank "ME!" Turns out that we were both Iraqi War vets. I was just there in the rear (Saudi) for support; he was obviously in the war, and wounded! It was embarrassing for HIM to be thanking ME! Obviously, I (graciously) thanked HIM for HIS service, and everything that he'd done (and given) for this country! Sometimes I think maybe we misunderstand some comments, as well. I had a lady recently that said the car was "weird" looking. I said, "Well, I like it!" She said, "No..... I mean it just looks 'kinda odd, because it's SO SMALL!!"

[Ralph Weikart]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Yes, it is Fort Wayne. Maybe the GM plant closure has something to do with the comments but since then we have had numerous compliments and curiosity seekers, which truly makes us proud smarties. Ignoring these people that are negative is easy but the feeling of unbelief and sadness at people's ignorance lingers. I need to put my retired Air Force sticker on the car. I love the car with the American flag. That is a classic.

[TMACK]

Nope, can't say I had any malice directed towards me here in Northern Virginia. Just many laughs, incredulous looks and by-in-large, curious people wanting to talk about the thing. Mostly, "do you feel safe" and "what kind of milage do you get" type of dialogue.

Oh, I DO get the occasional (typically) SUV that REFUSES to be passed by the Smart: I will pass the SUV at 50, the SUV will speed up and pass me, and will then drop back to 45 again.

I just take a deep breath at the silly buggers and slow down to 45. Helps my MPG as well as lowers my BP.

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by John_H

I've seen enough people declare their certainty that "Obama" is going to "force everyone" to drive small cars like the Smart.

Yup, I've had a few people say that. We're here in big-truck Republican Land where the Ford vs. Chevy debate is hotter than the football rivalries. Obama's apparently the devil and going to force all the big truck drivers to sell their work trucks and get small cars that get 40MPG. Those few individuals are stupid, narrow-minded and will remain that way no matter what. The 95% that remain will appreciate the Smart, but I think in Texas they're afraid to say anything lest they be branded a commie. I say that because of a few Texans that have expressed the same concern: they really love the Smart coming to Texas because it will counteract the bigger-is-better mentality.

Alabama's only a little better... but here in Mobile, I at least get smiles and laughs more than I get cut off or given the finger.

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by Ralph Weikart

I need to put my retired Air Force sticker on the car. I love the car with the American flag. That is a classic.

And yes, if you're dealing with ethnocentric anger as a result of American car company layoffs, you'll probably do well with some kind of sticker or license plate that shows your patriotism. The people that are the problem do care about stickers. The others generally don't. Strange. If anyone questions your loyalty, you can honestly say that you're buying less foreign oil than you were before.

[WhiteNBlack08]

I think I've only had one person give me the "buy American" speech. I tell them, I have been a die hard Mopar guy my whole life, in fact my 3 other vehicles are all Mopars. But right now, no American company makes a car that fits my needs like the smart. If an American company was to build a car like this, with the quality and fun of the smart, I would be inclined to look at it. As it is now, the smart is the only option for me.

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by SuperGeek

And yes, if you're dealing with ethnocentric anger as a result of American car company layoffs, you'll probably do well with some kind of sticker or license plate that shows your patriotism. The people that are the problem do care about stickers. The others generally don't. Strange. If anyone questions your loyalty, you can honestly say that you're buying less foreign oil than you were before.

Bingo

When have we ever gone to war over a car company?
But We have gone to was over Oil. Less oil used, less money funding the other side in any War over oil



First one with the Best Bumper sticker condensing that thought wins

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Less Car = Less Oil
Less Oil = Less War