“It’s just a handbag” … For the record I would not dream of marginalizing any product used for storing belongings.  Some handbags just get the job done, storing belongings for a few dollars.  Many add style and flair.  They are an extension of one’s personality.  If you look hard enough, it is not difficult to find some commonality in us all.  That is part of my frustration.  I wanted to express the sentiment of how we (car care enthusiast types) live in such a unique environment that feels more like isolation.

Often there are social media posts from vendors and hosts regarding a car show with a PSA encouraging spectators to not touch the cars.  I appreciate and have been one of those people who issued those reminders.  But I find it concerning how this is even such a concern that it must be addressed as often as it is.

For the record, this is not a common experience at these events.  But it does remind me how the general public views cars which is in conflict of how us individuals who are more particular about our paint than most people.

“What scratch?  It’s just a car.”  Perhaps you have heard this before too.  It is okay to nod your head with a smile or grin. How about, do not touch my car.

Funny to some people, but not to me.  This inspired a therapeutic writing session that you are reading right now.  I get that this person might not care that some stranger is marking words on his or her car.  But I find it incredibly inappropriate for people to put their hand prints, markings, lean on, door ding, and etc a stranger’s car.  My pet peeves to some, have become all to common.

“Well they should have…”  If it does not belong to you and you do not have a rapport with this person, how hard is it to be more respectful towards another human’s property.

One of the few times I was only moderately uber careful where I parked, someone dinged my car.  Not the worst or most noticeable mark, as half of my friends probably would not notice and some would think I am crazy even if they did notice.  Honestly each time I look at it there is some sadness.  But my most frustrating moments come from the realization the person who dinged my car, not only probably did not care or feel remorse, but had forgotten the experience in his or her life.

Someone posted on a public forum about his ongoing relationship with the dealership staff.  This story is according to him recount.  They were aware of his ongoing request to not wash his car.  After an extensive paint correction and long term ceramic coating service performed by a high-end detailer, he needed to take his car to the dealership.  There was a history of acknowledgement his car does NOT go through the automatic car wash.  This time they forgot his instructions and washed his car, leading to scratches.  The service manager acknowledged their error in person and in writing.  When it was relayed from his detailer the recommendation and cost to have the damage repaired and ceramic coating re applied, this dealership took a 180 degree stance.  They balked on the compensation and denied responsibility to the point of suggesting the owner caused the damage.  Many of the responses involved attacking the owner for caring so much about the damage to his car, that did not belong to the trolls.  Though I often teach my clients to be more thorough in communicating the Do Not Wash message.  But I find it troubling that a simple but obvious request was overlooked without responsibility taken.  I find it even more troubling how someone who invested so much into the aesthetics of HIS CAR was treated by the public.

Not always the case!  The managers at dealerships have been known to push unethical service (add-ons) and get out of agreements on technicalities at values much more expensive than a $800, $1,200, or $1,600 paint correction and ceramic coating service from a detailing shop.  It’s not just a car then!  It is never about how expensive a car is, it is about it being OUR car and what our car means to US.  For those that read this and judge me or people like myself, it is okay to embrace being different.

Just me casually and proudly parking away from civilization.