How do you handle?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
How do you handle?
Guys who blatantly accuse you of owning a vette as a way of compensating for something? Most of the time I just roll my eyes and walk away, but I have this one guy who just throws in those little jabs and what I really want to do is punch him in the mouth, but can't do that. So how do you guys handle the idiots that just won't give it a rest or they just throw out the jab at just the wrong time and it gets on your last nerve? Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Denver CO
I haven't encountered this yet, personally, but it would depend on what they thought I was compensating for. I'd ask nicely just what it was they thought I must be lacking in, and then demonstrate why I have no reason to be particularly dissatisfied with whatever that is. You could then end the discussion with a jab of your own, noting that Vette ownership does a great job of mitigating jealousy, and might be able to help them with theirs.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I really haven't experienced that (unless its my teenage daughter on rare occasion being sarcastic about my "mid-life crisis" car). 
IMO ignoring the guy is the best course of (in)action. When it gets down to it his skewed perception is his problem...not yours. Why worry about him? I guess if some guy was really needling me about owning a Corvette and I felt the need to prove something, I'd invite him to ride with me at the track. I think he'd find out the only things my Corvette compensates for are a lack of excitement, not having a good time and my need for speed. Of yea, I'd also have him bring a barf bag...I've had some passengers literally get sick to their stomach after riding shotgun on a road course...and with any luck he'll need it.
IMO ignoring the guy is the best course of (in)action. When it gets down to it his skewed perception is his problem...not yours. Why worry about him? I guess if some guy was really needling me about owning a Corvette and I felt the need to prove something, I'd invite him to ride with me at the track. I think he'd find out the only things my Corvette compensates for are a lack of excitement, not having a good time and my need for speed. Of yea, I'd also have him bring a barf bag...I've had some passengers literally get sick to their stomach after riding shotgun on a road course...and with any luck he'll need it.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 314
From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
Personally, I could care less what someone thinks about why I own a Corvette. It isn't worth my time to explain to that person WHY, if they can't figure it out for themselves.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,655
Likes: 5
From: Brea CA
ah..
Guys who blatantly accuse you of owning a vette as a way of compensating for something? Most of the time I just roll my eyes and walk away, but I have this one guy who just throws in those little jabs and what I really want to do is punch him in the mouth, but can't do that. So how do you guys handle the idiots that just won't give it a rest or they just throw out the jab at just the wrong time and it gets on your last nerve? Thanks
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 261
Likes: 2
From: Boise Idaho
I think the best thing to do is be happy. I had a gal actually say that to me at a party once. We ended up going out for a month; I dumped her because she was nuts, likely because she was truly miserable inside. The text book psycho nearly every guy has one of in his closet (if you didn't, then consider yourself lucky).
In my experience people who say stuff like that are the ones compensating by trashing you because they are hollow inside.
In my experience people who say stuff like that are the ones compensating by trashing you because they are hollow inside.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 1
From: Forestville CA
I just laugh at people that say that type of stuff and tell them it's not a mid life crisis car, it's a mid life celebration car. I then will usually ask them "What have you done to celebrate your life lately?" Most are completely out of words at that point. The fact is that I give about 1/5th of a rat's a$$ what other people think about my car. I enjoy it. Enough said.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08
I usually agree and tell them I have been experiencing the mid life things since college...(many years ago). The compensation thing....maybe true...... but who cares?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 53,282
Likes: 3
From: God Bless America
Tell him you ARE compensating for something; an addiction to pure American muscle car performance and this car is the best cure you have found. Then tell him he obviously doesn't own one or he would understand....smile and walk away.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,446
Likes: 314
From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 187
Likes: 43
From: Northern VA
Whenever someone suggests that any of my toys (like my Corvette) are part of some mid-life crisis, I usually respond by saying that if you're my age (mid-50s), and you don't have a really nice car or boat in the garage, or something similar, then it may not be ME who is having the mid-life crisis . . .
