A Cavalier’s Steed

The cars we drive say a lot about us.

Alexandra Paul

Ever had a conversation with someone where the person came to an absurd conclusion that you wish could dispel, but in reality kind of agreed with them? A few weeks ago I was discussing the origin of the words Caballero and chivalry, and how they related to the Old French chevalerie. The all originated from the Latin caballarius which simply means ‘horseman.’ The person looked at me and smiled before opening their mouth.

So guys have been using their rides as a status symbol since the Romans?

I am not sure if my poker face held, but for a split second time froze while I had to keep myself from openly applauding his thought process. In a way he was right, but not in the way he thought. My reply was a simple one.

Riding a warhorse doesn’t make you any more a warrior than carrying a sword.

I have always stated how we need to extend who we are to everything we do and everything we own. I have mentioned this about the clothes on your back and the roof over your head. So why should it be any different when we talk about the ride you use? The reality is that your ride doesn’t make you any more of a gentleman than your suit does. Yet so many men put on a suit thinking it makes them gentlemen, just as they buy a car thinking it will change them magically into something else.

This is a social trap that men will fall into at some time in their lives. Getting a bike or a sports car won’t turn you any more adventurous than getting family car will turn you into a family man. Yet men will buy the sports car or the bike thinking that they are challenging the status quo. They will buy the soccer mom/dad SUV or the electrical/hybrid thinking that practicality will give them maturity and responsibility.

There might be something positive to say about practicality, but then again, if we only thought about practicality, we wouldn’t dare to do anything in life and we’d all be wearing jogging suits every day. There is something positive to say about daring, but if your boldest act in life is what car you drive, you should reconsider why you bought it.

The reality is that you are you, and the best you can do is work to make a better you. Your car should simply reflect who you are. There is nothing wrong with driving a sports car, or a hybrid, or an SUV, or a pickup, or even, dare I say, a minivan, just as long as that is who you are.

PS: Word to the wise to all Gents out there. Trying to convince your significant other that a 2 seater sports convertible could be called a family car is a losing battle that will haunt you for years.