Are we 'sad'? What is 'sad'?
Discussion
I know this has probably been done before, but it's the first time I've really noticed the way people have responded to my interest in cars in this way.
However, I fail to see what is 'sad' about liking a car with a bit of glamour and enjoyment about it. I fail to see why having that bit of spice in your life should suggest you don't have one, and why it should suggest so much.
I'm saying this because a lot of my friends (my age) have (despite their massive debts), gone and got £10k loans for brand new blandwagons worth half that, then come up to me telling me that sports cars are 'pointless' and 'stupid', and that 'when I join the real world I'll realise this'.
Bear in mind that these aren't the laments of middle-aged parents, or pensioners, but 21-year-old graduates. They're sounding like my Grandad did, and they are calling me 'sad' as a result.
As a result, I've stopped talking cars with most people unless I know they're interested (ie PHers), but today, I flicked on Trasha and there was a woman complaining about her biker husband. Apparently he was sad for liking motorbikes, he was sad for talking about motorbikes, he was sad for hooning, he was sad for knowing about how motorbikes work, and he was sad for riding his motorbike on holidays.
It got me thinking - what is 'sad'? Sorry, but to me, a 21-year-old rambling on about fuel economy, saying a 1.6-litre Focus is 'too fast for the road', 'thirsty' and 'a big engine' is rather sad. Spending £10k on vertically-depreciating white goods is, to me, immensely sad, especially when you've got another £10k of debt and two credit card overdrafts.
Compared to all that, I think spending my money on cars with a bit of glamour, that look good, sound good and make people go 'wow' is actually quite cool.
My friends were getting me down because they were all sounding like old people and it was rubbing off on me. Now I've realised this I seem to have had a massive new lease of life, but I ask you - what makes me 'sad'? I fail to see it.
Why are we sad for wanting to enjoy an aspect of life that many others find boring? Sounds more like envy to me.
Or am I wrong?
However, I fail to see what is 'sad' about liking a car with a bit of glamour and enjoyment about it. I fail to see why having that bit of spice in your life should suggest you don't have one, and why it should suggest so much.
I'm saying this because a lot of my friends (my age) have (despite their massive debts), gone and got £10k loans for brand new blandwagons worth half that, then come up to me telling me that sports cars are 'pointless' and 'stupid', and that 'when I join the real world I'll realise this'.
Bear in mind that these aren't the laments of middle-aged parents, or pensioners, but 21-year-old graduates. They're sounding like my Grandad did, and they are calling me 'sad' as a result.
As a result, I've stopped talking cars with most people unless I know they're interested (ie PHers), but today, I flicked on Trasha and there was a woman complaining about her biker husband. Apparently he was sad for liking motorbikes, he was sad for talking about motorbikes, he was sad for hooning, he was sad for knowing about how motorbikes work, and he was sad for riding his motorbike on holidays.
It got me thinking - what is 'sad'? Sorry, but to me, a 21-year-old rambling on about fuel economy, saying a 1.6-litre Focus is 'too fast for the road', 'thirsty' and 'a big engine' is rather sad. Spending £10k on vertically-depreciating white goods is, to me, immensely sad, especially when you've got another £10k of debt and two credit card overdrafts.
Compared to all that, I think spending my money on cars with a bit of glamour, that look good, sound good and make people go 'wow' is actually quite cool.
My friends were getting me down because they were all sounding like old people and it was rubbing off on me. Now I've realised this I seem to have had a massive new lease of life, but I ask you - what makes me 'sad'? I fail to see it.
Why are we sad for wanting to enjoy an aspect of life that many others find boring? Sounds more like envy to me.
Or am I wrong?
Just remember it's a free world, each to their own, whatever etc. You like cars, your mates don't. Move along. Some people like standing at the end of railway platforms or at the end of airport runways, writing down train or plane numbers. Does nothing for me, or I suspect many on PH, so whatever floats your boat, great.
My true friends realise that it's what makes me happy. My 'other' friends (I like to call them Hollyoaks girls, as they all look like they should be on the set, but drive you crazy) all say "oh you are sad". My response...."This is my hobby, I enjoy, and it is my interest. What are YOUR hobbies?"
Their reactions are generally..."urmmm, going out?!"
I choose never to discuss cars to my friends - except when they ask, and even then it's very general. If I do something absolutely amazing (meeting Mr Ruf), I explain briefly what it means to me and, as I said above, my true friends are simply glad that I'm happy.
You should respect people's interests - whether it be gardening, stamp collecting, or cars. Sadly, many people do not.
Their reactions are generally..."urmmm, going out?!"
I choose never to discuss cars to my friends - except when they ask, and even then it's very general. If I do something absolutely amazing (meeting Mr Ruf), I explain briefly what it means to me and, as I said above, my true friends are simply glad that I'm happy.
You should respect people's interests - whether it be gardening, stamp collecting, or cars. Sadly, many people do not.
I think it's a real pity that almost any individual who exhibits any enthusiasm for almost ANY subject is nowadays described as "sad". I think it reflects poorly on the person making the accusation rather than the person being accused.
As for me, I am one of those PHers who has (and may even still do from time to time) observe aircraft and note their identity. This activity is not an end in itself, but more linked to the fact that I just like aeroplanes and it provides a focal point for that interest. I also construct model aircraft kits, read lots of books on aircraft and watch videos and DVDs on aircraft. Does that make me sad?
I have lots of other interests besides aircraft so I like to think I'm reasonably well rounded.
As for me, I am one of those PHers who has (and may even still do from time to time) observe aircraft and note their identity. This activity is not an end in itself, but more linked to the fact that I just like aeroplanes and it provides a focal point for that interest. I also construct model aircraft kits, read lots of books on aircraft and watch videos and DVDs on aircraft. Does that make me sad?
I have lots of other interests besides aircraft so I like to think I'm reasonably well rounded.
Oh, each to their own of course, but if I eliminated all that I have been called 'sad' for I wouldn't have much of a life left. I wouldn't listen to any music (I'm 'sad' for liking the lyrics and listening to guitar riffs and drum solos), I wouldn't look at and appreciate art or design, I wouldn't like cars, I wouldn't be on the internet, I wouldn't take holidays anywhere other than packed and faceless coastal resorts, I wouldn't do any sports, I wouldn't watch the Grand Prix...
In short, if we weren't 'sad', we'd be even sadder.
Odd concept, this 'sadness', if you ask me.
In short, if we weren't 'sad', we'd be even sadder.
Odd concept, this 'sadness', if you ask me.
Different strokes for different folks matey, who cares what they think?
Each and everyone to their own mate. There will always be someone who will have the opposite view to what you do. A lot of my people I know think I am mad for spending money on sports cars and like your friends have graduated and taken a loan getting a £10-15K blandwagon. But they can still say "flash git" and other things when I come by in the Griffith or when some of the richer people we know (who have the full facility of the bank of myummy and daddy) pull up in Fezzas and Mercs. But given the chance they will jump at the chance of a drive in them.
But my reply is I don't need a car with more than 2 seats, I have no need for cavernous luggage space, I don't mind not having PAS or AC.
You'll find that everyone has a like or a passion that someone else will criticise as sad. I find it quite sad that people I know move out of home to go 2 minutes down the road and then moan about having no money and how other people have a better car etc. But then they have their own space and I don't. I did and chose to give it up.
As for friends who are critics, none of my friends ever really criticise my love of cars. They express concern when I get an unexpected bill and I use a lot of cash to recitfy the problem. But never because I like cars.
But everyone has their own thing that flips their switch.
But my reply is I don't need a car with more than 2 seats, I have no need for cavernous luggage space, I don't mind not having PAS or AC.
You'll find that everyone has a like or a passion that someone else will criticise as sad. I find it quite sad that people I know move out of home to go 2 minutes down the road and then moan about having no money and how other people have a better car etc. But then they have their own space and I don't. I did and chose to give it up.
As for friends who are critics, none of my friends ever really criticise my love of cars. They express concern when I get an unexpected bill and I use a lot of cash to recitfy the problem. But never because I like cars.
But everyone has their own thing that flips their switch.
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