I was dropping off my car to the dealership for routine maintenance. The nice gentleman in the service department was taking down my info and asking a series of car-related questions regarding the maintenance history. Ah…here comes that sense of dread creeping up my spine. For some inexplicable reason I feel this compulsion to be enthusiastically knowledgable about cars for gender-related reasons. It’s supposed to be a “guy thing”. I felt a large sweat drop forming on my forehead as Mr. Serviceman asked me if the {whatever} fluid-carbonator-propulsion-sensor had been rotated. I stared at him blankly for a moment and then a sense of total peace washed over me as I opened my mouth and spoke the unfiltered, unashamed truth, “…yeah, I don’t know. I’m not really a car guy.” 

It felt so freeing to say that out loud with no trace of fear. And it is the truth. I do not now nor have I ever given a rats behind about cars. To me they are a necessary evil, a means of conveyance. I don’t care what kind of car I have. I don’t care what kind of car you have. I don’t care about the details of any cars engine. I don’t care how fast it goes and how quickly. I have never understood people who see their car as an extension of their personality and/or a status symbol. 

I *do* try to be a good steward and take care of this machine so that it can keep us safe and have good longevity, that’s just being a responsible adult. I do the maintenance, I keep it clean, I have insurance & registration, I do all the things. And I do know very basic car mechanics, the baseline of things I need to know to own a vehicle. But if I had the option I would get rid of both our cars tomorrow. I would love to not need one. I would walk, bike, and take public transit. I would rent a car when one was absolutely necessary. 

Addendum:

I guess I *do* understand someone who is into cars as a mechanic or a collector. If you enjoy working on cars and building them then I can at least empathize with that. I can also understand someone who is into rare, antique cars. The drivers (pun intended) being that of building, making, engineering, history…all cool topics.