Girls and cars

"vorspringing" (vorspringing) 04/19/2014 at 15:07 • Filed to: None

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As a girl, with a car (and probably 2 real soon now) -

Honestly, I don't give a shit what you look at. If you want to look at models draped over and ruining the clearcoat on the latest hypercar, have at it. I'm perfectly capable of surfing right on past those NSFW posts. I have a good friend who models and has done exactly those kind of shoots - the last thing I would ever do is tell her she shouldn't do something that will advance her career, and yes, from a purely aesthetic standpoint the photos are really good. And I've given her the "please be aware of where you're putting your shoes and don't hurt the car" speech. ;)

What does piss me off, at actual events as opposed to online, is those comments you think I can't hear. "That car gets a special once-over from the tech guys (heh, heh)." "Yeah, they check the driver for loose items." (from last Sunday's autocross)

Really, guys? Am I supposed to be flattered or something? I'm at an event because I want to see what my car will do and because I love cars in general. I grew up working on cars. I shouldn't have to prove my car cred over and over because I happen to be missing a Y chromosome.

Someone mentioned Cars and Coffee as a more family/female friendly event, and I'd agree. It's a lot more welcoming environment - I've taken my mom and dad as well, and they loved it as much as I do.

As far as the environment here on Oppo, I chose a generic username here because I wanted to be taken semi-seriously. Seems to have worked, but almost everyone seems to think I'm a guy. Sorry to disappoint. ;)

jkm7680 > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:10

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If somebody would have made comments such as those to my Lady Friend. Heaven help his soul.

C&C does seem to be a rather neutral event. There's a good mix of guys, and girls.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:11

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I usually view having two cars as a gateway drug to having far too many :)

Which two do you/will you have?

Firewrx234 > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:11

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What do you autocross? And what's your new car you're looking to get?

vorspringing > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 04/19/2014 at 15:12

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My DD is a 2013 Audi TT, negotiating to buy a 1981 E21 320is 5spd as a project car

Joe_Limon > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:12

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:-/ I have been missing out on oppo a lot recently. Are there any other new/prominent members?

vorspringing > Firewrx234 04/19/2014 at 15:14

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Autocrossing my 2013 TT, negotiating to buy a '81 e21 320is 5spd as a project car. Will probably autocross it too, eventually. :)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:16

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I am really sorry to hear about you being mistreated at events. That kind of sexist/pervy shit should never be tolerated. Fortunately, Oppo doesn't.

vorspringing > jkm7680 04/19/2014 at 15:18

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The vast majority of people at the events have been really awesome, which is why the asshattery kind of got to me. :/

jkm7680 > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:21

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Yeah, I'm surprised that they just flat out said it. No restraint, no self control at all.

6cyl > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:21

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Looking forward to updates about the 320is. An e21 is definitely on my short list for my next summer/project car.

vorspringing > 6cyl 04/19/2014 at 15:22

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I'm supposed to go check it out tomorrow - will keep everyone posted.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:30

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Preach on brosis! I feel the same way about posts and topics that don't really catch my interst, be they nsfw or not, I simply click past them and that's it.

yamahog > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 04/19/2014 at 15:32

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....um, the same oppo where someone told me they'd like to throw acid in my face?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > yamahog 04/19/2014 at 15:34

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Who said that?

yamahog > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:43

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Also woman (also chose generic username, somehow that means you're a dude on the internet, but I'm not exactly keeping it a secret.) Also don't mind models taking whatever gigs they want, but I'm even attracted to women and I'm just not a fan of the NSFW chicks n cars thing. Love April Fool's posts though . I do mind nonconsensual objectification, and all the other shit that comes my way either on the motorcycle, in the Jeep, or the daring and salacious act of walking around while female. And no boys, it's not a compliment.

Let em know you heard it with an eyeroll or whatever your favorite "you disappoint me" face is. Because it is a disappointment when grown men can't fucking act like it.

yamahog > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 04/19/2014 at 15:46

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http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/people-like-yo…

vorspringing > yamahog 04/19/2014 at 15:51

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Unfortunately, it was one of those comments after I'd walked past, and I'd just been called back to the car so I couldn't really turn around and glare easily. I picked up 2 seconds on that run though, apparently anger is good for my times.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > yamahog 04/19/2014 at 15:54

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That shit is not cool.

yamahog > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 15:54

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yamahog > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 04/19/2014 at 15:57

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Clearly an exception to the general population, and for the most part you all are like a progressive hippie commune compared to my former favorite football blog, but still. Grrrrrr.

EL_ULY > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 16:00

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you are an Opponaut first buddy :]

I personally do not want special treatment because of me being made out of mostly blue cotton and polyester lol :]

vorspringing > EL_ULY 04/19/2014 at 16:02

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LOL - thanks

Sir Halffast > yamahog 04/19/2014 at 16:34

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People have been banned for less. Wouldn't hurt for the velvet banhammer to come out of hiding. Sorry that was one of your oppo-impressions. I've been here a long time, though mostly lurking recently, and I've seen a lot of shitty things said, but never threats. I hope For Sweden or someone with mod privileges saw that and does something about it.

yamahog > EL_ULY 04/19/2014 at 16:36

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And cookies!

Sir Halffast > Joe_Limon 04/19/2014 at 16:36

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I'll second that. Family/Work/School haven't left me a lot of Oppo time.

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 04/19/2014 at 16:59

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Too bad about the shitty comments at the autocross. You'd never be treated like that at one of my events. People would get one warning and then barred from future events.

vorspringing > Boss2452stolemylunchmoney 04/19/2014 at 17:21

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It didn't rise anywhere close to the level of something I'd complain to the organizers about - it pissed me off, and is a relatively harmless example of the kind of stuff that I run into as a woman interested in cars, but it wasn't like they tried to cop a feel.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 17:25

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Boss, big fan of E21s. Sharkiest of the 3-series :) plans for it? Recommission, restoration, modification or a bit of all of them?

vorspringing > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 04/19/2014 at 17:37

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Mostly restoration - I don't want to mod it too much, although those rally spec cars are pretty sweet looking. :)

Boss2452stolemylunchmoney > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 17:47

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Yes yes, but this is a culture that needs more diversity and we need to set examples to people of how to create an inclusive environment. I mean... If they liked you, maybe it would have been better for them to try to talk to you about your obvious shared interest and not make snide remarks that you're entirely unlikely to find endearing.

Ferrero1911 > vorspringing 04/19/2014 at 18:41

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I'm also a woman, and I have a decidedly male screen name. Ferrero is my car's name, not mine. In my experience most men are happy that a woman is interested in the same things they are interested in, but they don't really know how to deal with it either (these are the ones that are kinda awkward at first, they don't want to say the wrong thing). And then there are those guys that will always be dicks, just like anywhere in life. I like yamohog's advice of giving your best "I heard that glare" and moving on. They may not let you know it, but they'll feel like jerks. I've always wanted to take my car to autocross, I really need to get on that.

vorspringing > Ferrero1911 04/19/2014 at 18:53

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Awkward I can deal with - heck, I'm plenty awkward myself. And my experience has generally been the same, in that the majority of guys are absolutely thrilled I'm interested in cars. There are always those few who are a little too testosterone-addled to think straight, though, and I think that's the type I ran into last weekend.

And yes to autocross - it's a blast. :)