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Have you ever had your car spat upon??

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Psych_Prof, Sep 10, 2010.

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  1. Psych_Prof

    Psych_Prof New Member

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    Ha. Not even. In fact, it's early enough in the semester that I've given hardly any grades at this point. Plus, I seriously doubt anyone knows what I drive. And then, there's the fact that I've given my share of F's, but my '96 Tercel never got spat on.
     
    #41 Psych_Prof, Sep 10, 2010
  2. Michaelvickdog123

    Michaelvickdog123 New Member

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    You anywhere near a Ford/GM/Chrysler plants?

    When Toyota was taking some lumps this past Winter, it was revealing to read the Detroit free Press (online). The HATE expressed by pretty much all of the posters - for foreign made cars - was pretty scary. I wonder whether it's really directed at the hybrid cars, or more generally, at foreign built vehicles. Do Ford Fusion hybrid owners report similar incidents...although with far fewer of them on the road, the frequency will be much less.
     
    #42 Michaelvickdog123, Sep 10, 2010
  3. PriusSport

    PriusSport senior member

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    That's the nut streak in this country. There are nuts on the right and nuts on the left.
    Unfortunately, the media only listens to the nuts on the right, maybe because that's where the money is.
     
    #43 PriusSport, Sep 10, 2010
  4. Psych_Prof

    Psych_Prof New Member

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    Not to belabor the topic--maybe it interests me as a social scientist--but just a few more thoughts on the topic of Prius hating:

    Prior to this week, I would've guessed, like some of you pointed out, that this type of hostility toward hybrids and green technology was a thing of the past. But then, after my incident this week and after reading some of yours, I have to wonder. I strongly suspect that attitudes still vary widely, and are largely a function of geographical location. As is apparent, I live in a fly-over state, and on a college campus, there are clearly all types passing through. Of course, one has to allow for the possibility that the incident with my car had nothing to do with the fact that it's a Prius. It becomes harder to explain away, though, considering I've worked there for several years and have never had a problem with my older car. I drive this one to campus for just over 2 weeks, and it gets vandalized.

    Anyway, thanks for the moral support and for sharing your own stories, although I regret to hear that other (and worse!) things are happening to other people.

    In the final analysis, a big ol' WHATEVER to the Prius haters out there. I love my car!! :)
     
    #44 Psych_Prof, Sep 10, 2010
  5. Michaelvickdog123

    Michaelvickdog123 New Member

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    Which then possibly suggests that your's was an accident, and not intentional?

    Back in my youth, I was known to lob a few good ones....and occasionally, was not keenly aware of where my lobs might land. :rolleyes:

    Personally, while some Prius owners have (no doubt) been the subject of hate, I'm sure many others are just a tad phobic, and bring up the "hate" as soon as they get cut off in traffic, or someone gets too close in traffic. Hard to say what's hate, and what's just rude, or careless behavior?
     
    #45 Michaelvickdog123, Sep 10, 2010
  6. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    A good read is The High and the Mighty by Keith Bradsher, the marketing of the SUV, esp. by Clotaire Rapaille (he is a GOOD read). I think of the classic Star Trek logic vs emotion....Rapaille calles it "reptillian"....in real life, logic often loses. :( The new car purchases may not be quite as bloated, but the public still wants a vehicle they will be "respected" and kick-a$$ performance.

    With that last thought, you can't reason with a lot of people...if they "think" with their crouch, they are going to buy the lifted 4x4 pickups...but this same mentality goes into rude driving at the Prius and vandalism.

    So much of current events is not thinking but feeling, emoting, hating.

    I see America declining when so many behave like spoiled brats, just like the Roman Empire many centuries ago.
     
    #46 Chuck., Sep 10, 2010
  7. cycle11111

    cycle11111 New Member

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    Possible he was a plain old nut, but I have faced the glaring look "of what is that silly white car" from more than one person driving a truck the size of a small apartment building.
     
    #47 cycle11111, Sep 10, 2010
  8. Psych_Prof

    Psych_Prof New Member

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    There's a plant sort of near where I live, but I'm not right on top of it. But like I said, I never had problems all the years I drove my (Toyota) Tercel. Who knows.
     
    #48 Psych_Prof, Sep 10, 2010
  9. Psych_Prof

    Psych_Prof New Member

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    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Psych_Prof
    Anyway, thanks for the moral support and for sharing your own stories, although I regret to hear that other (and worse!) things are happening to other people.

    I don't see how the fact that it wasn't larger-scale vandalism suggests that it was an accident. That said, of course it could've been an accident, and it'd be nice to think that. Yet, if you had seen what it looked like, it was pretty clear to me that it wasn't an accident. Put it this way: About the only way it could've been an accident is if someone found themselves in the middle of a full-scale coughing/sinus attack, was suddenly so incapacitated as a result that they had to lean on the side of my (!) car for physical support, and deposited their biohazard all over my window (when the ground was right beneath them the whole time). And, there were multiple "gobs." Hmmm....

    Absolutely, and your point is well taken. No one wants to believe they're the victim of hate. In the final analysis I'll never know, but if it looks like a duck...
     
    #49 Psych_Prof, Sep 10, 2010
  10. Michaelvickdog123

    Michaelvickdog123 New Member

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    Only takes one nut.
     
    #50 Michaelvickdog123, Sep 10, 2010
  11. Michaelvickdog123

    Michaelvickdog123 New Member

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    You, of all people, should realize that it's hard to draw any conclusions based on one event.

    I was cut off by a black dude today. Should I assume all/many black dudes dislike Prii? I've never seen a black dude in a Prius, so should i assume that hate somehow played a part? NO, I should not. However, if this became a regular thing, then I can start to formulate a theory...:cool:

    But you're probably right, somebody spit on your Prius because they hate your car. Maybe you cut them off earlier while driving to campus? Whatever. ;)
     
    #51 Michaelvickdog123, Sep 10, 2010
  12. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Yup, pretty shocking. One "downfall" of the silent Prius when it is still on, is that passerbys dont realize the car is on and someone is it. The car is silent, therefore it is off, therefore nobody is in it.

    And I do feel most of the hate in my area is because of political opinions about it.
     
    #52 2k1Toaster, Sep 10, 2010
  13. MERIDIAN

    MERIDIAN Junior Member

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    #1: I wouldn't make too much of it because nobody had the balls to do it while someone was around.
    #2: There are only Prius haters because gas is cheap, when gas got close to $5 a gallon I had a whole lot of those haters all of a sudden getting curious and asking me questions about the Prius because they were seriously considering burning their wrecks for insurance money(couldn't sell because no takers).
    #3: HOV envy, in my last venture in the HOV lane-the Prius was the dominant species and many in number, this kills the SUV slaves but who cares. They're just a blur out the window as I whiz by.
     
    #53 MERIDIAN, Sep 10, 2010
  14. mainerinexile

    mainerinexile No longer in exile!

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    There is no political warfare here in this forum. In fact, we are glad to welcome you, our first Republican Prius owner, to PriusChat!:)
     
    #54 mainerinexile, Sep 10, 2010
  15. priustexasbob

    priustexasbob Member

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    oh this is just great. I've had my Prius for exactly one week and I read this. I live in an ultra conservative, right wing, bush loving who could do no wrong college (Texas A&M) town. I haven't heard of anything afoul, but ya never know
     
    #55 priustexasbob, Sep 10, 2010
  16. Psych_Prof

    Psych_Prof New Member

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    Thanks for the lecture. < / sarcasm > But hey, since you took it there... actually, it's impossible to draw any conclusions based on one event. And, if you'll take a moment to notice, I didn't. My tone in this entire thread has been speculative, at most. Note the following (all quotes mine):

    *****
    "I'm aware of the negative stereotypes of Prius owners and irrational hate for the car among some, so my best guess is that this was somehow related. But what do you all think?" (bold added for emphasis here -- notice the speculative tone with which I started this entire thread)

    "Of course, one has to allow for the possibility that the incident with my car had nothing to do with the fact that it's a Prius."

    "That said, of course it could've been an accident, and it'd be nice to think that."

    "Absolutely, and your point is well taken. No one wants to believe they're the victim of hate. In the final analysis I'll never know, but if it looks like a duck..."
    *****

    Please refrain from lecturing me in my own field. Your comment was not impressive.
     
    #56 Psych_Prof, Sep 11, 2010
  17. Erikon

    Erikon Active Member

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    Meh, put a gun rack on it and they'll love ya!;)
     
    #57 Erikon, Sep 11, 2010
  18. vday

    vday Member

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    Still have my hub caps and Toyota symbols as well after 8 months:)
     
    #58 vday, Sep 11, 2010
  19. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Would some NRA window stickers help protect it in this area?

    Sorry, can't lend you mine. I can't safely display them here, but might need them in a place I'll be visiting.
     
    #59 fuzzy1, Sep 11, 2010
  20. priustexasbob

    priustexasbob Member

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    LOL, yeah the NRA sticker might help.
     
    #60 priustexasbob, Sep 11, 2010
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