Funny. Not.

So, I've had my truck for just over 48 hours.  We're still in the honeymoon phase.  It's actually kind of nice. (I uploaded the picture I promised to my Snaplog).

I'll also admit to being a bit surprised - not necessarily in a positive way - how people seem to actually apply stereotypes or other personality traits to others simply based on the vehicle they drive.  I've had more than one person use the word "redneck" to me.  Others seem surprised....why, I don't know.  Watching the reactions of others has actually been enlightening.

I was talking about it today with somebody at work.  He asked me if I drove the truck to work today, and I said, "Yes, I got here early today so I backed her into one of the spots up front."

Now, this guy is an IT engineer and to my knowledge isn't aware of my history.  Regardless, he explained to me that trucks are usually "he".  He said dogs are "he" and cats are "she" and gave a number of other examples that seemed to make sense to him where masculine or feminine pronouns are used to describe objects.  I explained to him that I really don't care what pronoun others use to describe their vehicles, but that this truck was most definitely a "she".  I joked that the truck was actually a lot like me - stylish lines but strong, firm but supple, more under the hood than meets the eye.  He liked that.

Over the course of my life I've owned a brand new Corvette C5, a Mercedes-Benz, a new Ford Expedition, an Infiniti, a Honda Accord, an Intrepid, a Chevy S10 Blazer, a Volvo 740, an old Ford Crown Victoria - I've had lots of cars over the years.  Most recently I owned a 2001 Volvo with 155,000 miles, and my beloved 2004 Toyota Camry with 185,000 miles.  Some of them have been "fun" vehicles (like the Corvette).  Others have been practical, or filled a specific need.  Regardless of what any of us drive, the minute we allow ourselves to be defined by our vehicles,

I do my research before making major purchases, especially for my vehicles.  I feel good about this - the truck itself, the price, the dealership, the experience in general.  I'm not sure I can say that about every car I've ever bought.  But in the end this truck will do what I need it to do, and it will do it reliably, comfortably, and well.  It will tow boats, it will drive in crappy weather, it will move furniture....so I suppose if any of that makes my neck more or less red than it was at the beginning of the week I'm ok with that.

Back to these stereotypes.  If I put them all together, someone who drives a pickup truck is a southern dude who own guns, spits, has bumper stickers, doesn't seem very smart, and is just....well... a redneck. I realize some think this is funny.  I don't.

It's bigger than simply applying traits to vehicles.  I saw one friend on FB recently who said she was concerned because she was thinking too "male" lately.  WTF is that supposed to mean?  When does anyone stop being concerned about those kinds of silly things and just do what they want to do without worrying what others think? 

Apparently, I've had a long day.  I'm glad tomorrow is Friday.  Maybe I'll go out and look for something to run over with my truck....