Almost everyone has an automobile. I recently turned sixteen, and I now have the ability to drive a vehicle by myself. There are countless types of transportation, and it’s amazing how many human traits and personalities you can see in the automobile realm. You see, every person has, by default, a personality. Likewise, every car has certain distinguishable traits (I suppose you would call it a carality?). Now, I do have certain likes and dislikes in automobiles that you may not agree with, but for most of these comparisons, I think you will be able to spot the similarities.
For starters, let’s look at the minivan. It’s hardworking, but not too flashy, and it’s probably light-colored. There are usually some juice or food stains on the upholstery, left there by the kids when they were younger (or maybe there are still kids around to do that). There may be some dents and scrapes of paint on the outside, left there by kids riding their bikes around it, or from a teenager backing into a mailbox on their first day of driving. Despite these outward appearances, though, it doesn’t break down that often, it can be fun to drive, and it’s just one turbocharger or paint job away from being a swagger wagon.
Next, we take a look at a classic antique car. Whether a ’69 Camaro, a Model T Ford, a 1970 Lincoln, or a 1950 Rolls Royce, these smooth rides have unlimited charm and style. You have to take care of them to make sure they stay new and shiny, but their grace on the road and the feeling of old times you get when riding in one make them unique, and they will repay you for all of your love and hard work you pour into them.
Then, of course, there’s the sports car. Ferraris, Lambourghinis, Vipers, Porsches, Corvettes, Aston Martins, and Bugattis. They are slick, smooth, and fast. Dual exhausts, convertible tops, chrome packages, spoilers, you can turn them into anything you want. However, for all their looks and g-force, they do have their downfalls. One little dent in the fender can cost a fortune to fix, and their gas mileage is usually a number that wouldn’t let you legally vote.
So how do these cars apply to people? Well, look at your parents. They usually don’t dress fancy or act flashy, but they are very hardworking. They may have some scars from past accidents, but you can learn from them and avoid the same mistake. And best of all, they are both dependable and trustworthy. The antiques? Those would be your grandparents, or the older generation that so many young people avoid and shut out. They are classy and refined, and they can teach you a whole lot, if you’re willing to take time and listen. They might be hard to take care of and understand at first, but with time, they will repay you for your time and energy.
Finally, I’m sure we all have a friend or two that we could easily compare to a sports car. Loud, proud, and in-your-face, they like doing things with speed and sizzle. But one minor setback, one failure, and they could spend weeks getting out of the hole they dug for themselves. Plus, just like their vehicle counterpart gets lousy miles-per-gallon, the more you spend time with these friends, the more you end up spending, both in money, pride, and sometimes your very sanity.
There are other comparisons, of course. Some people are trucks; working hard all the time, performing dirty tasks, and lending a helping hand whenever you have a sofa that needs to be moved. Some are like those beat-up junksters that end up being someone’s first car. They get things done, and they work okay on most days, but their issues and undependability make you wonder if they’re really worth it. Others are Formula-1 cars; they are only good at one thing, but they excel at it with all their being, making you wish you were as skilled as they. And don’t forget the police cars, tow trucks, and ambulances. These people sometimes have the hardest job, because they have to fix you up and straighten you out when you mess up or break down. But if they do their work properly, you’ll be just fine afterward. The only question that remains is, which automobile are you? Would you enjoy driving it all the time? Would you break down in emergencies? That’s something each person has to find out for themselves.
