This phrase has come up a bit lately with regard to the choice and suitability choice of our cars and it set me thinking (always dangerous I know!). Does this argument betray something about the mindset of those who use it ? Do some (NOT all) of these people buy cars primarily in the belief, even hope, that those around them will be envious? Is that what it's all about, driving around feeling in some way superior ?
I'm all for respnsible choice and would certainly buy a car like an SUV if it fulfilled a genuine and practical need but as for making others envious, I really couldn't care less about that sort of thing.
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Volvoman seems to have started a second SUV thread, which is fine because the first one has slipped off the page. Sir John Whitmore wrote a beautiful piece about this in today's Motoring Telegraph. (Whether you agree with him or not, it's persuasively argued and beautifully written.)
HJ
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Sorry HJ did not intend to restrict this to SUV's, it's just that the SUV thread was where POE was last mentioned. Will try to get a copy of the paper as it sound very interesting.
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Found it on the Daily Telegraph Online site and it was very interesting. I thoroughly agree with SJW but just wish we didn't need draconian legislation to make us all see sense.
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Is this a peculiarly British disease? We stayed with friends in France in the summer who have lived there for 2 years and who said the French pay very little attention to (a) the car you drive and(b) the value of their houses, which are, apparently, the two main topics of conversation of any British guests ( Apart from us of course!)
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i'll second that (because i live in France), apart from the fact that cars do actually carry a snob status in France, although perhaps less than they do in England. House prices on the other hand are irrelevant and at know time have i ever heard a debate about them as you would find in the UK. Resturant prices on the other hand are all the rage. Makes sense really, just shows you what motivates the French.
Still, as you descend to south France, the flashy status of what you wear, your mobile and merc of beamer all become of increasing concern. The amount of poor families you see who can't even eat well but drive a Merc is quite absurd.
my euros worth!
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I'm afraid it is just an easy (although it can be effective) method of stifling debate. I believe that there is even a term for such a concept in propaganda (inoculation - make an accusation before it is levelled at you). The answer to your question is "yes, it does say a lot about the mindset of those who use it."
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A somewhat tenuous link to motoring, and even that - SUV ownership - is being discussed elsewhere.
I'm closing this thread.
Mark.
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