Driver stereotypes
Now, I am the last person in the world to ever be labeled as an "aggressive driver". Now anyways. I admit to being arrested years ago for street racing and having a couple of absolutely silly accidents, but we are talking quite some time ago. Lessons learned, the duckling has emerged in form of a fine swan. Now, I personally think I am a halfbreed of aggressive and defensive, which probably puts me in the norm that appreciates spirited driving. Crazy, stupid stuff waits for a closed circuit track for autoX.
However, when the "norm" drives something like an alien VX or a modded WReX, they tend to stand out, so no matter how you drive and whatever you do, your actions are most likely seen by everyone. Suddenly, simple spirited driving looks dangerous to everyone because all attention is on you. I still recall years ago going to a VX beach in the VX, I got a ticket for doing 76 in a 65. And "I" was the one getting passed the whole way there. However, all of the other cars on the road were your average, everyday vehicles. *insert eyebrow raising HERE*
Am I wrong here? Think about it.... let's switch the track just a bit just to make another comparable point. Look at street bikes for a second. Fast, agile, little bastards. Now granted, most riders ARE douche bags around here on them and are out looking for trouble and ride them like they have only moments to live (many do at that point, I am sure), but the majority of them are also young and probably have something to prove to themselves and everyone around them. There are some responsible riders as well though, so I am not judging them as a whole. They don't even have to drive in a spirited manner to instantly be labeled a55hats though. They gain auto-labeling because they are "assumed" to be one of those other morons who makes them look bad with the way they ride. One reason why I sold my bikes years ago and gave up riding altogether. It's "what you ride" and "what the other riders ride like" that gets you tagged. I get a very similar tag since I drive a WReX. Most drivers of WReXs here are young and fall into what even police like to call the "Boy Racer" crowd. So, I know for a fact that, at least with my car, I am pre-tagged.
But, back to my original point, when driving in a spirited, but not dangerous manner to anyone including yourself, do you ever stop to think exactly what other motorist might be thinking anyways? I mean, especially since we ARE in vehicles that stand out or have a "reputation" anyways. I am sure if a silver Honda Accord zipped by you doing 75mph in the fast lane on a highway, you wouldnt flinch and would probably continue singing along to a song on your radio that you dont even know the words to. However, flip that now. YOU are in the Accord and a modded car or even a VX does that. One, it gets your attention, so you probably stop pretending to sing a song you dont even know. Then, you judge (considering at this point, you are Joe Average).
I am just curious what others think. It's probably tough for us to look at it another way since we are car enthusiasts. This has been on my mind this morning since my commute today was rather eye opening and baffling. What I always considered average driving (c'mon, I get passed by 50% of the traffic on the highway and am RARELY in the passing lane.... I have nothing to prove and when I do, I take it to autoX where I can show my balls to other folks who have the balls to do the same) apparently was getting negative attention this morning, even hollered at by a UPS driver 
(for turning left behind him at an intersection that HE failed to use a turn signal so I was too close to his arse?). But ya, today was simply, odd. So far, I equate it to the fact that, no matter how "light to average" you drive, it is the car you are in that provides your judges/fellow traffickers with a first impression. I am just tired of being the a55hat that has "0" points on his ID and no dents and dings (well, tiny ones from autoX, but different story) to prove a driver worthy of the privilege. What is it that other motorists seem to find unredeeming (is that even a word?) about it? As Yoda would say, I need to meditate on this one.
Clearly, today's commute upset me a bit, which trust me, is very difficult to do, heh.
Thoughts?
Gary Noonan
'01 S/C VX / '18 Forester XT
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Originally Posted by ZEUS
