Jealous Non-Hybrid Owners

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Proco @ Sep 8 2006, 04:23 PM) [snapback]316547[/snapback]</div>

What about two Hybrids?

I get no trash talk to my face, but I know that there must be some folks who are angry at me, and others, when we drive our Hybrids.

 

I'm jealous now when I see Prii on the road because I'm 2500 miles away from my Prius and driving around a stupid rental car!

 

I just refer to myself as one of those commie fagot treehugger
hybrid drivers, up front, and that shifts the conversation right away.
.
_H*

 

Yeah, I've had people come up at gas stations and make comments. Most however just want to ask questions about the car and seem interested. I do have one friend who owns two SUVs and he keeps saying "well, the prius doesn't have good road feel"...... well, even though he may be right, who cares???

I really like just about everything about this car!! I'm going out now to give her a fresh wash and wax!!

 

being surrounded by grad students and the occasional postdoc, all of us pretty much used to a slightly lower standard of living than most, i do get a lot of envious comments. but it's not malicious envy. it's more of a "wow, what a cool idea! i think i'm going to get one when i graduate and get a job" or "wow i wish i could be getting that kind of gas mileage right now, that would be great!" i've taken all of my coworkers out in the prius at some point while making a lab lunch run, and they all got a real kick out of it.

i also get a couple of comments every now and again about being the grad student with the hybrid, and how that was a smart choice.

of course, my immediate research group is a really great bunch of folks, and i avoid all the snobby, negative jerks in the department at all costs- so all the people i'm voluntarily exposed to are pretty nice.

 

I find that most people who come up to me either at the service station or mall parking lots are curious. They ask about mileage, the room inside, the price. When I mentally step back and listen to myself talking, you might think I sold Prii for a living.

I try to give them the positive info without sounding too much like a commercial. It's tough as I'm very happy with the car and want to share my enthusiasm.

 

They don't call this the Motor City just because the American car companies are here. It's also because the vast majority of us are total car fanatics. I get a lot of people, even auto company people, come up to me and just think that the Prius is so darned cool. Ironically, over the past few weeks as gasoline prices have come down so dramtically, I've had even more people coming in to the store that I'm shopping in asking out loud who's Prius that is out in the parking lot. I'm of the opinion that a lot of people are now convinced that gas guzzling is passe. They now know how volatile gasoline prices are and are moving towards conservation. A definite, subtle shift in their thinking and I'm really happy that it's happening.

 

I have never noticed anger or envy, just curiousity. People have legitimate reasons for not buying a Prius (initial expense, not enough room for their needs, etc.) but most don't seem worried about its reliability. As a high school teacher I do know that most of the students think it is cool! (SMUG alert!)

 

I had someone ask me yesterday how I liked my "little battery car." I thought he sounded kind of condescending but smiled sweetly while I told him that I loved my baby and was getting 51 mpg on my current tank. I tried not to sound too smug. <_<

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Hopeful Future Prius Owner @ Sep 7 2006, 11:16 PM) [snapback]316146[/snapback]</div>

The Prius isn't a Ferrari LOL, its a $22,000-$29,000 car. Its a mid model car, like a Camry or an Accord. Do you think people are green with envy over Camrys? No, nor are they over the Prius.

If they wanted one, they'd buy one.

 

In my six months of ownership, I've run across three types of people:

1) interested in technology and think it's a good idea, but "not the right car" for themselves (mostly my engineer colleagues).
2) actually considering the purchase of one and want to know more (one or two).
3) no knowledge of the Prius, and no interest either...they think it's a crazy little plug-in golf cart or something (the marketing guys). I actually had a guy ask me if I am able to take it out on the highway, too.

The last group is by far the majority. I think most people don't really care about the Prius...it's just another car on the road. I get the impression that Prius owners are like Star Trek fans...they're way too into it, and they appear just strange to everyone else.

Jealous? I doubt it.

- Doug

 

Precisely.

 

Well I'M jealous. I don't have mine yet. Soon!

 

The only strange comments I get are when the gas prices are increasing. They say something like "I guess you're happy that you have a hybrid." I usually respond with "Not really, I have to buy gas too."

I hate to admit it, but my sister asked me about plugging it in, but then she killed me when she asked if it could go on the highway. (Maybe she was adopted)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pirateprius @ Sep 9 2006, 03:54 PM) [snapback]317100[/snapback]</div>

Awwww, c'mon pirate...betcha didn't try TOO hard not to sound smug! B)

 

jealousy is an outdated concept that has no place in the contemporary world of cars

(just as lust is an outmoded concept having no place in hypersexed contemporary American society)

:blink:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jack Kelly @ Sep 11 2006, 07:53 AM) [snapback]317696[/snapback]</div>

I do not know about that, Jack. Seems to me that MOST jealousy is a form of insecurity. MANY forms of "lust" are much more basic...almost Darwinian, in a sense...lust to procreate, lust to better oneself, lust to achieve SOMETHING. I think, deep down, MOST discoveries and inventions come from some form of "lust," as I do NOT believe ALL lust is sexual.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Sep 11 2006, 12:30 PM) [snapback]317765[/snapback]</div>

That and the fact that a lot of people use the word 'jealous' when they really mean 'envious' or 'covetous'.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Sep 9 2006, 09:17 AM) [snapback]316916[/snapback]</div>

:lol: bad boy

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Sep 11 2006, 09:30 AM) [snapback]317765[/snapback]</div>

To me, largely a semantic distinction. My Webster's makes lust sexual by definition in its first usage; "an overwhelming craving" second. I call your non-sexual "lusts" "drives", as this adds the element of conscious (or even sub-conscious) WILL, something projected onto "lust" only in the most species-improving, Darwinian sense.

And, I might ask, what is more "basic" than insecurity? Do you not live in the same Age of Identity as me?

If not, please point out the Exit door from mine.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jack Kelly @ Sep 11 2006, 03:11 PM) [snapback]317986[/snapback]</div>

"Semantics" is the correct word. English is a living language. While you have that dictionary out, look up "connotation" and "denotation." The former is how words are currently used and understood, the latter is what the dictionary says. I mean, good god...how many more people "lust" after some OBJECT...and let's not let THAT go any further...consider that rhetorical and use your imagination! (And, ya wanna talk strict usage...should have been "...Age of Identity as *I*...look THAT up in yer Funk & Wagnall's!)