Co-worker Hypocrisy

[Priapus]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 29 2006, 08:15 AM) [snapback]311054[/snapback]</div>

Pah, I thought this was a 'discussion' forum... good snub efusco I'll think twice about posting new topics next time. Actually, hardly anyone replies to my topics anyway [/b]

Siding with Evan on this one. It's a Fred's topic. Perhaps "Fuel Economy" since we're talking about the consumption of other vehicles. For that matter, perhaps "Other Vehicles." Andyou'd be surprised, I think, if you knew the access stats of hits in the vraious forums. You will get more visibility in Fred's.

Also, just ask your co-worker what has changed. And then remind him that he is exactly like those moronic Americans he hated but a few weeks ago. It's not hypocrisy unless he continues to complain; if he's no longer complaining, then he clearly switched sides. Which means that you now have full permission to hate him in the same way that he used to hate us. Carry on and have fun with it.

[SW03ES]

I don't get it, just because he complains about the state of things and about Americans driving around in big SUVs, why shouldn't he purchase a BMW 328 that gets 30MPG? He's still selected an economical car, he hasn't gone out and purchased an Excursion or something like that. He just wants a little fun in his car, no problem with that. The diesels aren't the same.

You only live once, and sometimes you have to do/buy what YOU want.

[Marlin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 29 2006, 06:20 AM) [snapback]311028[/snapback]</div>

On a recent trip to Florida with his family he came back apparently disgusted with the overconsumption of petrol by the American public, driving everywhere in gigantic SUVs.
[/b]

You want to hear something disgusting? How about how your coworker consumed at least 345 gallons (1305 liters) of fuel just so he could fly from the UK to Orlando to go see Mickey Mouse. That's assuming a family of 3. With a family of 4, he gets credit for 460 gallons (1740 liters).

A 747 consumes 60,000 gallons of fuel to fly from London to Orlando and back. Assuming a full load of 524 people, that's 115 gallons (435 liters) per person.

Those SUVs of those Americans may consume more fuel than his cars, but he more than made up for it with his trip to see Mickey.

[geologyrox]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wildkow @ Aug 29 2006, 11:38 AM) [snapback]311129[/snapback]</div>

p.s. Asshat? I like it!
[/b]

I'm not sure where I found that first, but I saw it a couple of times and decided I liked it too =P

[Godiva]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 29 2006, 05:20 AM) [snapback]311028[/snapback]</div>

He claims that as long as half of America is driving around in 15mpg SUVs, it doesn't make any difference what he drives.

[/b]

Does he still complain? If so.....

Yes, this would make him a hypocrite.

It's the equivalent of the juvenile whine "But MA, Everyone doesn it."

Can you get your co-workers to join you in nicknaming him "The American"?

[molgrips]

Whatever the case your friend can always blame it on Bush.[/b]

Oh, he enjoys that. Or Blair, or anyone...!

He's still selected an economical car,[/b]

Not really. 30 is UK mpg remember. There's not really an excuse for driving a car that doesn't get at least 40, or if you can afford it a diesel that does 50. We don't have smog problems and our diesel is much cleaner, so to my mind trading higher NOx and particles is worth it for the reduction in CO2.

He could've got exactly the same car with a smaller engine, but because he wants to zoom around he is making excuses for himself, justifying his petty desires.

Interestingly, he also complains about the fact that many of the people who work here are of rather substantial girth. Losing weight requires a certain amount of denial which he doesn't seem to be able to exercise himself.

Can you get your co-workers to join you in nicknaming him "The American"?[/b]

Unforunately, they are most likely to congratulate him on a cool car. No-one cares about saving energy in emissions apart from me it seems. One guy is quite environmentally conscious, apart from his cars. He used to drive land rovers everywhere but has now got rid of them. I wonder if it's cos I ribbed him about it?

[njkayaker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Aug 29 2006, 08:01 PM) [snapback]311365[/snapback]</div>

The diesels aren't the same.
[/b]

The BMW 330D is, apparently, quite nice with excellent performance. Diesels engines drive differently than gasoline but the current diesel engines have excellent driving characteristics.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Aug 29 2006, 08:01 PM) [snapback]311365[/snapback]</div>

You only live once, and sometimes you have to do/buy what YOU want.
[/b]

This comment means that you can't complain about "gas guzzelers".

[fshagan]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 30 2006, 02:42 AM) [snapback]311504[/snapback]</div>

Not really. 30 is UK mpg remember. There's not really an excuse for driving a car that doesn't get at least 40, or if you can afford it a diesel that does 50. We don't have smog problems and our diesel is much cleaner, so to my mind trading higher NOx and particles is worth it for the reduction in CO2.
[/b]

Just because you aren't choking on the smog, you think your higher NOx and other particles are not going into the atmosphere? Where do you think they go? Oh, Spain, perhaps. And isn't NOx part of the problem too ... by destroying the ozone layer, you are accellerating warming, aren't you?

I live at the coast, and never see smog. There's a prevailing breeze that pushes any bad stuff inland. But I know that what I do HERE, even if I can't see it, can harm something over THERE.

The first step is to look at yourself, and try to reduce your harm to the environment. Anyone who DOESN'T do that has no room to criticize someone driving in a SUV. That soccer mom in that 15 MPG SUV who takes her family camping instead of wasting fuel in a jet may be doing better than your friend in the overall scheme of things.

[NorwoodIV]

At some level, he has to pay for his choice. Fuel is obviously much more expensive in the UK. His "petty desires" do come with a personal fiscal price.

Citing Americans with their SUVs is just a poor excuse to justify the car he probably wanted all along.

We all draw the line on our environmentalism at some point. Some recycle, some don't. Some eat beef, while others avoid it for the social and environmental costs associated with raising cows.

If he's screaming down the road with whale skin seat covers, and a baby harp seal hat, you can beat him down.

We are going to be okay here. The ozone layer is repairing itself because my wife and her friends no longer use fire extinguisher sized cans of hair spray. Who needs the Montreal Protocol when you have Aqua Net Lite?

[SW03ES]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(molgrips @ Aug 30 2006, 05:42 AM) [snapback]311504[/snapback]</div>

He could've got exactly the same car with a smaller engine, but because he wants to zoom around he is making excuses for himself, justifying his petty desires.[/b]

Smug alert!

Petty desires? Oh please. Live your life and just leave your friend alone.