Surreal Conversation

[NeilySan]

So last Friday afternoon I pulled into a petrol station in Wooton Bassett to fill up the Europa. When I entered the garage to pay I found myself queueing behind a spotty kid ( I am getting on now and, therefore, anyone below the age of 25 is by default a "kid" ;-) wearing a cammo jacket. What follows is the surreal conversation that then took place :

Kid [gazing out at the forecourt] : I like your car.
Me : Uh, thanks.
Kid : I've got one of those ...
Me [quickly glancing out at the Corsa with his girlfriend sitting in it] : Really ?
Kid : ... on Need For Speed
Me : Oh.
Kid : It's really quick. Isn't it ?
Me : yes, it is.

Never thought I would find myself comparing a physical and tangible car with a virtual one in a computer game. Still, the kid seemed pretty proud of his virtual car ?!?

[pthelazyjourno]

I think it's nice. How often would you interact with said spotty youth otherwise - probably never?

I had a chat with some hoodied yoof in a petrol station a little while ago about the engine in mine - he was really polite and friendly, and was nice to have a chat with a fellow petrol head (albeit one that looked 15 years younger and seemingly not old enough to drive!!).

Surprised by how positive the reaction from people in their teens has been. Apart from a couple of girls who told me to "fix the exhaust"!! Guess it is a bit noisy.

[NeilySan]

Philip,

Agreed !
:-)
I hope my tone came across as surprised, yet pleased. The kid was polite and I guess it takes some confidence / courage to strike up a conversation with a stranger about their car.

[hueandcry71]

You should have replied "ive got one of them" - looking out the window at his girlfriend.

Him "oh really"?

You "oh yeah, on Sims". That would have messed his head up.

[CocoUK]

Haha! I might have to get a copy of Need for Speed!

A good few years ago (bloody ages!) when I was at college a mate slipped quite naturally into conversation that he had found a part-time job as a sky-dive instructor. Of course I was quite surprised & impressed by this & asked a few questions about the role all of which were answered in detail. It was sometime later that it dawned on me that he was referring to The Sims computer game... Virtual Reality/Reality - the lines are blurring!

[Thorburn]

Not that unusual, I remember the Elise was one of my favourite cars back in Gran Turismo 2 back when I was 15. Had to wait 8 years before I finally got one for myself though.

Although the representation of it in Need For Speed Shift was a bit off, particularly the 'close ratio' gearbox which improves acceleration AND top speed....

[fatwomble]

Thorburn said:

Not that unusual, I remember the Elise was one of my favourite cars back in Gran Turismo 2 back when I was 15. Had to wait 8 years before I finally got one for myself though.

So young

[Phil-CH]

The reason I actually fell in love with Lotus was the games I played back on the Amiga (Lotus Challenge). Of course, back then it was the Esprit and once production stopped in 2003, I focused on the Elise which prompted me to then get an Exige.

[dal2litrefrogeye]

reminds me of a time when a young lad was gazing at my 1970 mk1 escort in a petrol station, he then comes up to me and asks , whats it called ? so with my tounge in cheek, I reply Eric , he takes two steps back looks round it folds his arms and with a knowledgeble look says "so thats a Ford Eric ! " im now on floor crying with laughter , and he says " ya done me " , Im not one to name cars but I have to admit it has been stuck with it ever since

Edited by dal2litrefrogeye on Wednesday 17th August 19:00

[HairbearTE]

I misread this thread as "Surreal Conversion" and opened it up eagerly anticipating Hemi-engined elise or such nonsense! Am a bit dissapointed now tbh!

[NeilySan]

Hemi would be too heavy !
Of course it may be possible in Need For Speed ;-)

[Thorburn]

fatwomble said:

So young

Am I? 27 next month, had the car 3 and a half years now. Still, never had to pay £7400 for insurance