What Do You Say....

[rspears]

I woke this morning to light drizzle, and the radar map showed that it was going to be spotty showers until early afternoon so I decided to wait until about noon before leaving the house, and also opted to attend a little car show put on by our community as part of their Festival of the Trails - we had the Santa Fe, California and Oregon Trails that were coincident here before splitting towards their destinations. Now this is only the second year that they've done a car show as part of the event, so it's one of those open to just about anything that drives - hot rods, rat rods, classics and late model performance. So I wasn't too surprised when I looked up to see a little 2001 Porsche Boxster S start backing into the spot next to the '33, though there were a couple of "SEROUSLY?" comments, along with "What's he think he's doing?" But, it's not my show, not my rules, and not my place to say Boo to the guy, but the organizer did come over and point out, "The rain was gone until THIS guy showed up!", good natured razzing.

So this guy gets out of his Porsche, claims a spot under my canopy to get out of the rain, looks out at the cars parked, getting wet once again and says, "So is this your RAT ROD?" The silence was deafening, and I think the temperature dropped about ten degrees when he glanced back over his shoulder to be sure I heard him.

Now the guy is still alive, and he drove away at the end of the show with no impairments that he didn't arrive with, but what do you say to a guy like this? Rat Rod my A$$!!

[sharpmark]

there are a lot of people in this world who know nothing about our hobby roger.
you just met another one of them!!!!

[36 sedan]

So this guy gets out of his Porsche, claims a spot under my canopy to get out of the rain, looks out at the cars parked, getting wet once again and says, "So is this your RAT ROD?"

Yeah, that your Kia?

[36 sedan]

there are a lot of people in this world who know nothing about our hobby roger.
you just met another one of them!!!!

I don't think it would matter wether he knew anything or not, some people just can't help themselves.

[rspears]

Yeah, that your Kia?

Oh how I wish I'd have been that quick!

With a chill I told him that the term "Rat Rod" is not one that's received very well when someone spends a lot of time and money trying to build a nice car, and his reply was something like, "Oh, then what's a Rat Rod? I've heard that term, but don't really know what it means...."

Needless to say, we're not new best buddies.

[Henry Rifle]

If you don't know what a term means, best not to use it. I think my Daddy told me that once or twice.

[johnboy]

there are a lot of people in this world who know nothing about our hobby roger.
you just met another one of them!!!!

What he said.
I couldn't have put it better myself.

It's just a total lack of knowledge on his part.

[randyr]

I think I would have asked him if his "Boxster" was one of those little VW kit cars.....

[Whiplash23T]

And just maybe while the man took shelter under your canopy, you could of politely taken the time to explain the difference between your car and what a " rat rod " is. Educating him while the rain kept him there was sadly missed. Another way of approaching it could of been asking him to explain to you the difference between his genuine Boxer to a plastic copy on a VW floor pan. If non of those approaches work then a well placed hit on his head with the base ball bat that you keep down beside the drivers seat would of worked absolutely brilliantly...

[34_40]

Like 36 sedan, my first thought was "Yep, see you brought yours too!"

[rspears]

And just maybe while the man took shelter under your canopy, you could of politely taken the time to explain the difference between your car and what a " rat rod " is. Educating him while the rain kept him there was sadly missed.....

There was nothing missed, Mark, but thanks for the constructive criticism. I answered the young man's question by explaining that a Rat Rod is usually a vehicle constructed mostly just to draw attention, often by hanging a bunch of useless junk on it just for shock value, like toilet seats for driver & passenger, rusty metal everywhere, etc, etc and then pointed out one across the way for visual reference. While he then understood the difference, he retained his haughty attitude in his designer denim jeans and black tee shirt that was definitely not from the underwear aisle, all accented by his Italian loafers sans socks....

I was not uncivil to the young man in any way, but my initial reply to him made it obvious that he'd applied a term that I did not care for.... but at least he didn't say "Is this Rat Rod one of those Kit Cars?"

As the day progressed I think that he was a little surprised at the number of people who stopped to ask questions, made nice comments, and the smiles that were generated when I opened the door and had someone "try it on for size", which became instant photo ops, all while he stood around watching people look at cars. A couple, who had a nice late model performance car there which won one of the trophies, dropped by to ask about the build process, and after a few minutes I had the wife in the car, left hand on the wheel, right on the shifter, perma-grin in place saying "Oh yeah, I need one of these!" as the husband got his "Oh no, Thanks a lot, buddy!" look, but all in good fun. I love those moments, along with an occasional little kid if they're really showing interest.

[Zandoz]

Sounds like you took the high ground and took the opportunity to educate...all any educator can do. It's up to those being educated to learn...or not.

[jerry clayton]

Use the opportunity ------tell him how he can gain points at an auto show--all tires and wheels with valve stems and lettering clocked at same angle----Screws all lined up, polish compound cleaned out of center of Phillips screws ( oh, don't know who Phillip was?) hood and trunk coil springs ( as well as suspension) cleaned/polished on the inside and between coils,no grime/dirt in the key slot for trunk lock, hose clamps all clocked, steering wheel centered, ash tray empty/clean, glove compartment contain gloves-not recharge cords for phones,etc----

[Matthyj]

I know what you mean, when asked if my car was a "kit car" I always reply "No, kit cars come with instructions" and I haven't found any yet, its a replica body". When the late models show up makes me want to say, "So what lot did you pick it off of, and hows the payment?"
Wait till you get your roadster out and save me a nickel every time somebody says "Nice T-bucket" (nothing against t buckets, it just isn't one) Or "Nice coupe".
Educating the ignorant is sometimes a tougher lesson for the educator than the learner.

[jerry clayton]

The difference between IGNORANCE and APATHY is I DON'T KNOW and DON"T GIVE A SH--


some of those dudes actually think they are being nice to the poor folks that can't afford those imported fart can pieces of crap