National Attitudes to Cars?
Discussion
It is noticeable that, generally speaking, the British like to own a new (German if possible!) car, preferably with big wheels and scraping the floor. They also like to keep the car clean and view it as an extension of themselves.
It is also noticeable that our near-neighbours the French generally like to own a French car until it dies, never clean it and, when it gets dented, don't repair it unless it can't be driven.
Why is there such a difference and is it true?
Are there any other national stereotypes of car ownership?
It is also noticeable that our near-neighbours the French generally like to own a French car until it dies, never clean it and, when it gets dented, don't repair it unless it can't be driven.
Why is there such a difference and is it true?
Are there any other national stereotypes of car ownership?
Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 23 June 20:21
MC Bodge said:
It is noticeable that, generally speaking, the British like to own a new (German if possible!) car, preferably with big wheels and scraping the floor. They also like to keep the car clean and view it as an extension of themselves.
It is also noticeable that our near-neighbours the French generally like to own a French car until it dies, never clean it and, when it gets dented, don't repair it unless it can't be driven.
Why is there such a difference and is it true?
Are there any other national stereotypes of car ownership?
What do you expect from a nation of people with no spines that eat snails, frogs and raw meat! We have more pride as a nation, British pride, land of hope and glory etc..... The French national symbol is a chicken! Nuff said!It is also noticeable that our near-neighbours the French generally like to own a French car until it dies, never clean it and, when it gets dented, don't repair it unless it can't be driven.
Why is there such a difference and is it true?
Are there any other national stereotypes of car ownership?
Edited by MC Bodge on Thursday 23 June 20:21
ts.In Continental Europe they prefer saloons over hatchbacks, hence why the Citroen C5 looks like a saloon even though it is a hatch. Hatchbacks are seen as utilitarian and saloons as more prestigious where as we prefer hatchbacks and see saloons as the old man version of a car. Australians like utes, especially Toyotas, but they do prefer Australian cars over foreign ones (even though Holdens are just rebadged Daewoos now). Walk into a Ford dealership and they'll try to talk you into a Falcon over a Mondeo, for example. Then there are Americans with big pickups as well. In Saudi Arabia you need a white SUV, again probably a Toyota.
It's a peculiarly European trait to prefer manual transmissions over autos.
It's a peculiarly European trait to prefer manual transmissions over autos.
alcovrugbyfan said:
What do you expect from a nation of people with no spines that eat snails, frogs and raw meat! We have more pride as a nation, British pride, land of hope and glory etc..... The French national symbol is a chicken! Nuff said!
So, the French drive French cars and we, being Proud Brits, Rule Britannia and all that drive.....greeneggsnsam said:
Well that's because of the way we are taught to drive. In America many don't even know how to drive manual cars because it's not part of the standard test.
I've heard that the best way to avoid getting your car stolen in America is to have a manual because thieves don't know how to drive them. I have a friend who's Russian but now living with her family in Israel. When they went on a family holiday in a motorhome she had to do all the driving because she was the only one in the whole family who could drive a vehicle with a manual transmission. It's not just an American thing. Consumerist society is very much an anglo-american trait I find. Completely wadded Frenchies will happily drive around in an old BX if thats all they need. Cars are just a consumer good, not a status symbol.
BTW, Is it a British trait to repair every minor blemish on a car? My coffee table has a scratch on it, my freezer has a dent in the door and my face has a big scar on the forehead. We don't, as a rule, make things perfect when they get visually damaged.
BTW, Is it a British trait to repair every minor blemish on a car? My coffee table has a scratch on it, my freezer has a dent in the door and my face has a big scar on the forehead. We don't, as a rule, make things perfect when they get visually damaged.
cheadle hulme said:
BTW, Is it a British trait to repair every minor blemish on a car?
It would seem that way. I have a fairly ordinary car that is now a few years old and I find it quite liberating to not care too much about it. Mechanically it is in good condition, I've looked after it and it still drives well, but when somebody dents or scratches it in a car park, it doesn't bother me.
It would be different if it were a 'special' car and I like to keep the motorbikes clean-ish and rust-free, although I'm far more interested in the riding and driving than the outward appearance.
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