Four Wheels, Some Doors, and a Trunk

Today, dear reader, we're going to play Jeopardy.

It has four wheels, some doors, and a trunk....
... Comes in a variety of colours...
... Plays a big role in communicating your means, image, and personality...
If you said 'What is the automobile?' then you win the $2000 Daily Double.

(Your cheque's in the mail)

Yes, your ride is a part of your image. Maybe that's shallow and materialistic.. but it's also a reality. Get used to it. Image has been important to humans since the dawn of recorded time; ever since the first caveman painted his under-eye area with green dye instead of red, and had all the little hottie neanderthal groupie-women flock to his side. Since that day, humans have worked to improve the perception of themselves in the eyes of others.

One question that burns in my mind is this- is it really as shallow and materialistic as those elements that run counter to mass culture would have us believe? Humans are in essence biological beings (yes, even Stephen Harper; cutesy blue sweater-vest or not). There are countless examples in nature of animals using bright, shiny things to increase social standing and attract mates (think peacock's tailfeathers, the bright pinky hue of the flamingo, and the vibrant colours of the toucan).

Perhaps the Porsche 9-11 is our equivalent of tailfeathers (pronounced 'pour-shuh', I'm told) Or the Maseratti Spyder. Or the Maybach Phantom. Or the Lamborghini Diablo. Or the BMW 3-Series (a little closer to affordability for me, anyway).

So what does your car say about you?

Sophistication? (Mid-priced European import, dark colour)
Fun? (Bright yellow or orange convertible sports car)
Adventuruous? (4x4 with a removable hardtop, complete with mud spatter)
Mid-life crisis? (Entry-level Porsche Boxster, cherry-red)
Soccer mom? (Massive, fuel wasting SUV with a single passenger)
Hardworking, salt-of-the earth contractor? (Heavy-duty pickup with a tool box, complete with rust patches)
Broke? (2002 Chevrolet Cavalier with scratches on the bumper and a massive dent in the hood)

Yes, dear reader, these are stereotypes. Yes, dear reader I judge people whom I see based on their image before I know them. So does 99% percent of the human population on planet earth. Again, if you don't like it, you will have to get used to it. Or perhaps accept it. Or at the very least acknowledge it.

What I don't do is continually apply these stereotypes to people after I get to know them (unless they're deserved). Hopefully most people are of the same mindset; there is a big difference between judging and being judgmental.

I'll leave you with this one thought: sometimes stereotypes exist for a reason. But, be open-minded anyway.

(Maybe the guy driving the penis-on-wheels midlife crisis cherry red Porsche Boxster is just free-spirited. Or perhaps colour blind)