[DMCForum] Re: Top Gear...

["cruznmd" <racuti1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I won't debate how Germans feel about driving. I wouldn't know. I've 
never asked one.

However, I don't think you should make a blanket judgement about how 
Americans feel about driving. The attitude you describe is very 
1970's.

Have you even looked at the cars we produce lately? Have you looked 
at the cars Cadillac is putting out? Have you seen the new Ford GT, 
the new Mustang?

Actually, your stereotype does still exist among some drivers here. 
How could it not? Our nation is so much bigger with more diverse 
geography and different driving conditions than what exists in the 
comparatively small nation of Germany by itself. Some folks enjoy a 
soft, quiet cruise on a straight road, some prefer a twisting, hilly 
road with a sticky sports car. Some prefer climbing in the 
wilderness in an SUV. Cars are also culture and status symbol here. 
Although I don't subscribe to this particular frame of mind, many 
people here own radically expensive, luxurious, fuel-guzzling SUV's 
and never take them off the pavement. Painting us all with the same 
broad brush doesn't do justice to the image of the famous Europeon 
tolerance I'm always having thrown in my face.

Lastly, driving is part of our everyday routine because we don't 
have your public transportation infrastructure. For us, it's part 
chore, part pleasure. I drive 16 miles to the train station and ride 
another 40 on the underground, but I'm not typical. I'm lucky to 
have the Metro. I do it because that's where the work is, and 
affordable housing is where my house is. That's just the way it is 
and I'm sorry if it doesn't mesh with your sensibilities.  

As for your comments about Bill Robertson, that's for him to 
address. He's a big boy.

Rich A.
#5335

--- In DMCForum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "myper1995" <myper1995@xxxx> wrote:
> I've been lurking on this list for some time but I'd like to make a
> comment.
> 
> Content22207: Most Europeans, and especially Germans, do not view
> driving the same way Americans do. They see driving as a separate
> activity, one to be enjoyed in and of itself, not necessarily a 
normal
> part of their daily lives. For many the last thing they desire in 
an
> automobile are traits the majority of Americans seem to view as
> desirable. The plush, air-conditioned, road isolated, floating on 
air,
> "lazy boy on wheels" characteristics that drive the American auto
> market are not something shared by much of the world and are not
> considered to be admirable engineering in motor vehicles. 
> 
> I must say you also exhibit an appalling amount of ignorance about
> many other subjects automotive beyond this one but from what I've 
read
> you don't respond to facts well. Therefore I see no point in 
debating
> them with you.

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