Austin360 blogs > Digital Savant > Archives > 2006 > December > 18 > Entry
How’s that hybrid?
I drive a Prius and have for the last two years since I was desperate to replace an ailing Hyundai with something that wouldn’t fall apart like a dry blueberry muffin.
So far, so good. I’ve put an enormous amount of miles on it (I’m past 85,000 miles; I got it in November ‘04 with 14,000 miles on the used car). I saved a lot of gas money when the price of a gallon hovered near $3. And I’ve gotten used to the quiet little car and its quirks (loud beeping when I’m in reverse, a sometimes distractingly bright screen that recently needed replacing and was luckily under warranty).
Still, even with gas prices settling back down, I get at least one or two people a week asking me how I like it. It usually happens when I’m bent over reaching to get something from my car or when I walk into a restaurant or some other business where the car is the furthest thing from my mind.
Waiter: So how do you like it?
Omar: The restaurant? Looks clean, I guess.
Waiter: No, no, the hybrid! You get good gas mileage?
Omar: Oh yeah. It’s good. I commute about 100 miles a day. It’s, you know (shrug), it’s good with gas.
Waiter: Yeah, I’ve been looking at a hybrid. (Wistful look. Sometimes a sigh.)
I’ve answered the question so many times that I’ve sort of run out of things to say. I’m looking forward to the day when hybrids are so commonplace that they’re not seen as curiosities. I wonder if people with kids have to answer for them:
Gas station attendant: So, how do you like ‘em?
Parent: The gas pumps?
Gas station attendant: No, no, the kids! You have kids right?
Parent: Yes. Two.
Gas station attendant: How’s that workin’ out for ya? Are they pretty safe?
Parent: They haven’t killed anyone, if that’s what you’re asking.
Gas station attendant: Yeah, I’ve been thinking about having a few. I don’t have a wife or a girlfriend or anything, but still, kids look like a lot of fun. (Wistful look. Sigh.)
Parent: Sure. Yeah. Well, I need to go.
Gas station attendant: I baby-sit sometimes…
Parent: Gotta go! See ya later!
Instead of just telling people that hybrids are good and quiet, I should spill the real secrets of hybrids. That they run on devil oils. That they turn you into a smug jerk. That they’re so quiet you frequently run over birds and old people. That the best restaurants in town have “hybrids only” parking spaces that they don’t even want the rest of you to know about. Also, hybrid owners meet once a week to figure out ways to flatten the tires of all the F-150s in town.
If you’re a truck driver and we haven’t gotten to you yet, don’t worry. You’re on our list.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Austin, Gadgets
Comments
By Daisy
December 19, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Deciding to own uncommon, eyecatching things (like a Hybrid or z-coil shoes) comes with a certain willingness to talk about those objects. What amazes me is the length some people go to in their curosity. For instance, I have very long hair. For some reason people feel they have the right to touch my hair as they are commenting on it. Others will start braiding it. And I don't even want to think about all the gum I've had to cut out when children have touched by hair. It would be nice to have some standard comeback for these situations that don't make one sound like a jerk!
RESPONSE FROM OMAR: I wish I had enough hair for someone to braid, but that's just me. Sorry to hear about children with gum: they are a menace.
By sandra
December 19, 2006 5:35 AM | Link to this
My boyfriend bought a Prius recently and is loving it. The best part is that he figured out how to disable that horrible beeping noise when it's in reverse. I was about ready to never ride in it again. Now it's great, nice and quiet and the best car ever. I can find out how he did it if you want.
RESPONSE FROM OMAR: I knew there was a way to disable it, I'd just been too lazy to do it. This guide looks fairly straightforward. I'll give it a try tonight. Thanks!