A Reminder Regarding Respect in the Automotive Scene

I'm just going to take the time to talk about a very important thing in the automotive enthusiast scene.

Respect

The Car scene is something that anyone with a interest for cars can join. But the enjoyment of the car scene can easily be ruined by those who are immature and lack the understanding of respect. Where does it come from or where does it start? I don't know, it could come from those that simply don't know how to properly start a conversation, give a neutral opinion, or rationally has a bad attitude toward something different.

I'm always hearing about people thrashing someone because of what you drive. Might as well consider it racism in the car industry. It shouldn't matter what you drive because your car is "Your" Choice, not anyone elses... that is unless, they paid for the car for you, then in that sense... Why did they buy it if they didn't like it?. This is pretty common no matter what region you're from. You can kinda say the Car manufacturers are to sorta blame for this, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, BMW, Audi, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Ferarri, Lamborghini, etc... They can all be responsible for this by promoting the advertisement and self image that their vehicles are dominant on a certain level. Which is good for business, but then gets taken the wrong way by the consumer. Healthy competition is fun because it drives people to be better at what they do, but being good at trash talking and negative opinions are just a waste of time.  Like the never ending battle of Camaro or Mustang, and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and Subaru Impreza STI, I love all of them but I won't bash one of them because both of them are missing something. Yeah I would say one is better than the other if I was doing a car review, one has a certain driving style I like, while the other may be suitable for someone else. That's just how it works. You won't sell a magazine company if all the cars are winners.

Coming from my background, at the age of 4, I was plastered in front of the TV watching many disciplines of racing, from WTCC, to DTM, to GT1, American Lemans, Drag racing, and even Nascar. But because I like those things doesn't mean I like only one type of vehicle. I own a 2nd generation Mitsubishi Eclipse and I love working on V6 and V8 motors. I love the unique sounds of the Bmw M3 E46, and the styling of the Maserati MC12. That's just a preference and others should realize that not everyone is going to like the same things that you do. We're all different, come from other walks of life, and have certain tastes. I'm not going to instantly hate you because you don't like NASCAR or a certain driver... Ok, just don't keep coming to me talking about your hate for Jeff Gordon because your driver hit him and he wants to rip his head off... Who doesn't? Someone's life is at stake when a high speed wreck is involved. If you keep coming to me about your bad jokes, and disrespect for anything that isn't a Jeep you can keep walking before my NASCAR boys here have a little talk with you behind the shop... *That was a joke, I don't condone violence* 

Like the automotive class I'm taking, My Engine instructor is a Semi Pro drag racer and drives a 1960's Dodge Polaris and yet he doesn't bad mouth imports. It's his preference. I always have non bias conversations with him about tuning, ideas, and pros and cons of running a stock dodge neon motor at 20Psi of boost... *See thats another joke in two ways... because.... never mind.* If, you're like the student in my automotive program and only likes Ford and badmouths everything else because he never stopped and worked with everything else... I say good luck in finding like minded people like you, because even if you do, they probably think they are better than you. Try holding a job at the local Ford dealer when you only service Ford Focus' and Fusions.

The most important thing we as enthusiasts should remember, "If they don't like it, they can keep on looking and do their own thing." Time and time I always see and hear people bashing others because they want to do things different. When they do, they instantly get labeled as an "idiot," or "Ricer." Ricer is an evolving word and used to mean a person that would waste money on making their car look horrible. Now its used to mean that immature person in the car scene stirring up a scene. It's everywhere, even in car/brand specific forums. In the DSM (Diamond Star Motors) community, there is a ton of bashing itself just because of someone owning a base model non-turbo eclipse. Really guys? If someone couldn't find, afford, or doesn't want to own a turbo car, that is their choice. If they want to put money into their car, let them. If they want to make their car stand out in a good way by adding a wing, let them. Build their car for street-ability, drag racing, or track racing? OK. Don't just bash them and tell them junk it and get a turbo model... You know why? Because when they move on to another car and someone asks about their last car, they would probably say, "My last car? It sucks, the community sucks as well... Bunch of ricers."

Another thing is those who get into arguments and troll one another and threats go out about bothering people's cars, really? you don't mess with anyone's blood, sweat, and tears over a conversation or anything because you don't agree? What will you accomplish by assaulting someone, or even their investment because you all can't agree and or get along on something? That doesn't mean you have to be friends. That doesn't mean you have to get your feelings hurt, you can always leave. And if this is a issue inside of a car club, tell the leader or other members and work together on solving the problem. You can always settle your feuds with some healthy racing on the racetrack. If you can't back it up, don't say it because then you will be labeled and banished. You never know how seriously someone would take your comment. You will also never know when you will need someone to lend you a hand someday and because of your attitude, everyone leaves you hanging... That's on you.

The car scene should be something enjoyed by all no matter what you drive. Keep this community something sacred, no matter what part of the Earth you come from, Japanese, American, European, FWD, RWD, AWD. I may have sounded like I repeated myself many times in this post, but that's because as a car lover I just have to keep reminding people, "Learn to respect one another." Not by their car, but because of their attitude and behavior in the community. Don't be "that guy" showing up to a casual low key car meet doing burnouts, talking trash, trying to race and end up getting the cops called and ruining the car meet opportunities for everyone. Welcome the newcomer into the community with open doors and allow them to be comfortable, don't cast judgement until they sport their true colors.