Car Show Etiquette

[nissangirl74]

Spring is right around the corner (it's already here if you live in the Southwest) and that means it is time for car shows. Thought I would post up a refresher course for anyone who isn't the know because if you break the rules, you could end up with a broken nose (I've seen in happen).

1) Don't lean on the car. #1 problem I see at events.
2) Don't open the doors.
3) Don't rub the paint.
4) Don't pop the hood.
5) DON'T SIT IN THE CAR.
6) If you lean in the car to get a closer look, that's ok, but don't bang your keys or your bag against my paint.
7) Don't stand next to my car and smoke. Cloth upholstery absorbs that smell like a sponge.
8) If you are at a car show with a n00b, explain the rules to them before you get there.
9) Keep your kids off our cars. I don't want their boogers and fingerprints on them. Don't let them climb on it either!
10) Don't tell me I've ruined my car by modifying it. If I want more power, that's my business, not yours.
11) Don't tell me the cars that aren't modified are too slow. Somethings are too precious to alter.
12) Don't slam the brand. If you aren't a fan of ***insert make/model her***, that's cool. Our collection is none of your concern and we won't buy/sell based on what you think is cool.
13) Don't tell me what my car is worth. You have no idea. Seriously.

Car shows are great opportunities to make lifelong friends who share your passions and interests. They are also opportunities to make enemies if you don't abide by the rules.

Let's keep this going. What would you add to the list?

[Ace2cool]

This needs to be a homepage article. Seriously. Along with the story of the woman who was determined to open the trunk.

[Jesda]

I like to troll by asking people "why didnt you buy a minivan they have way more room"

[Florida240sx]

There's Jesda lol

[Bubba1]

Great list, Bex. I volunteer at a weekly cruise night/car show. All are so true. I cringe when I hear people do #12. Amazing how insensitive people can be. I never disparage a person's car as we appreciate their coming. That's the single quickest way to have them not want to come back, plus people tend to eavesdrop.

A few add-ons.

14. Keep the food/drink away from the cars. I saw an idiot trip over his own feet spilling a coke all over the hood of nice car. He was lucky the owner of the car was nice.

15. Don't ever jokingly tell an owner what the make of their car stands for. Like Ford means "Fix Or repair Daily"", or Fiat stands for "Fix it Again Tony"? Do you honestly think they haven't heard that before? You end up looking like an a-hole.

16. If you bring a dog, bring a pooper scooper, you slob. And keep the dog away from the cars. You might think it's cute if your dog relieves itself beside a person's pride and joy, but the owner won't appreciate it if you don't clean it up.

17. When leaving a car show, be patient or leave earlier. People spend hours at the show but if we delay you a minute or two letting groups of cars out in turn before them, they honk/curse/yell at the volunteers which will pizz them off and result in you sitting longer. My buddy and I direct traffic at the cruise nighst. There's always a huge rush to leave at the end of the show, and my buddy's been hit twice by angry impatient attendees in their cars feeling they've been sitting too long to leave.

[frapjap]

Was HE hit? As in, his body?
Press charges?

We should print these rules on a poster and put them at the Carlisle tent.

[Bubba1]

Was HE hit? As in, his body?
Press charges?

Yep, hit him in the body both times, but these were low speed impacts, so luckily no injuries. No charges.

[nissangirl74]

another one...

18. Don't assume that any of the above is OK if the car in question is not pristine. Some people drive their cars to shows while "in-progress". Don't assume that just because someone's car is sanded down to bare metal or the only interior components are the dash and a driver's seat, that it is any less precious / awesome / important.

[Bubba1]

another one...

18. Don't assume that any of the above is OK if the car in question is not pristine. Some people drive their cars to shows while "in-progress". Don't assume that just because someone's car is sanded down to bare metal or the only interior components are the dash and a driver's seat, that it is any less precious / awesome / important.

Yep.

19. don't do burnouts at car shows or when leaving. It not only sprays debris at people and cars those people care about, but most of the idiots who do it can't control it and something bad frequently happens as a result.

[numbnuts240]

unless there's a designated area, or mutual understanding. we have a rather large annual show here, where at the end, while everyone is driving out down road, the drivers are free to leave their marks if they choose to. it's understood that if you stop and let the line ahead of you get away, you plan to destroy the lungs of every spectator that decided to line that road.

[nissangirl74]

I know this is probably relative to the area you live in; however, it is still never appropriate:

20. If you're a fan of American-made cars, please do not slam the imports and vice-versa.

We were at a show with predominantly old American muscle car guys in attendance, and I overheard an older "gentleman" say, "What the hell are those damn Jap cars doing here? We don't need anything made by a bunch of gooks at our event." He was standing right beside Alice and Marilyn when he said it. How in the hell he has made it through his life with an attitude like that without someone rearranging his jaw is beyond me.

[Bubba1]

I know this is probably relative to the area you live in; however, it is still never appropriate:

20. If you're a fan of American-made cars, please do not slam the imports and vice-versa.

We were at a show with predominantly old American muscle car guys in attendance, and I overheard an older "gentleman" say, "What the hell are those damn Jap cars doing here? We don't need anything made by a bunch of gooks at our event." He was standing right beside Alice and Marilyn when he said it. How in the hell he has made it through his life with an attitude like that without someone rearranging his jaw is beyond me.

Good one.

Unfortunately some folks still live in the 1960's, especially when it comes to car shows, back when there was no substitute for cubic inches and Japanese cars were small and tinny. Of course, kids driving around now in fart canned, slammed civics with giant windshield banners to remind themselvses they're driving their mom's hand-me-down Honda, just fuels the old fart gripes.

[nissangirl74]

That's a valid point.

[themadscientist]

Can't really enjoy car shows. Mostly it's because I really don't like what most people do to their cars and I have a hard time keeping my trap shut and the other is all the great points listed. I've smacked people off off of cars that aren't mine simply on principle.

[nissangirl74]

The first year I went to SEMA, we passed a guy that was leaned up on one of the cars on display in the hall, talking on his cell phone. I thought Greg was going to have a fit. Ironically enough, he knew the owner of that car. Took a picture of the guy, sent it to the owner. He was not pleased.

[Bubba1]

The first year I went to SEMA, we passed a guy that was leaned up on one of the cars on display in the hall, talking on his cell phone. I thought Greg was going to have a fit. Ironically enough, he knew the owner of that car. Took a picture of the guy, sent it to the owner. He was not pleased.

I see a-holes occasionally at car shows, but to be fair, they represent a tiny minority of the people that attend car shows, and those folks usually end up getting ejected. Even at NICOfest Carlisle, I fondly remember the Audi jerk and his Jersey shore entourage. They were clearly the exception, and ended up providing us some legendary laughs.

[nismo212]

What happens if one were to, hypothetically, start instant detailing someone's ride or urinate on that person's ride out of joy

[Bubba1]

What happens if one were to, hypothetically, start instant detailing someone's ride or urinate on that person's ride out of joy

Depends on whose ride gets urinated on. In your case, what happened was applause and cheering.

[numbnuts240]

and gratifying bladder relief.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Should probably be a rule... with an asterisk of course.

Be careful where you urinate.*
*Unless that's on Nala's car.