Manners of Luxury Car Drivers

I was quite surprised when I first moved to the area where I live now because the rate of foreign cars is very high. In the region where I was born and raised, I would see only a few Porsches a year, but here, Porsches are everywhere.

My parents, who come once a week to look after my children at home, often said this in the beginning:

“People around here, just because they drive a Benz or Porsche, park irresponsibly and their driving manners aren’t good.”

And I had to admit, well…

There are always cars parked on the street in front of the local supermarket (even though there is a proper parking lot), and street parking is quite common in other places too. Some drivers even stop right before traffic lights with their hazard lights on, and sometimes public buses get stuck because they can’t pass through. Seeing scenes like that, my parents say the manners are poor.

Because It’s a Porsche

Of course, there are drivers of domestic cars who have poor manners and park irresponsibly too, but when it’s a luxury car like a Porsche, people tend to look at them through tinted glasses. They think, “Just because they drive a luxury car, they act all high and mighty…”.

Recently, there was news about a Porsche causing a traffic accident on the Hanshin Expressway, resulting in the other driver’s death, and on the internet, people pointed out:

・Why specifically name Porsche? If it were a domestic car, it would be reported as a “passenger car.”
・Instead of sensationalizing it was a Porsche, the focus should be on investigating the cause of the accident.

(I was even contacted by a TV station for an interview because I run a Porsche blog, but I politely declined.)

Improving the Image of Porsche Drivers

In reality, most Porsche drivers obey traffic rules and drive with restraint. It’s unfortunate that the image of Porsche drivers is tarnished by a few individuals.

On the other hand, something like this happened:

Once, when I was driving with my parents on a narrow road, a Benz came from the opposite direction. We realized that one of us had to wait to pass, and the Benz stopped to give way. My mother was very happy and said, “Wow, I feel honored to have a Benz give way to us!” (laughs)

That made me realize that luxury cars stand out when driving badly, but good driving also leaves a strong impression on others.

So, I thought if I actively give way and drive well, it might help improve the image of Porsche drivers! (Though I don’t have that much influence, so it’s purely self-satisfaction.)

Feeling this way, I’ve started to actively give way while driving.

・When passing oncoming cars
・When cars are coming out of convenience store or supermarket parking lots
・When cars are merging

If there’s no car behind me, I just go ahead, but otherwise, I try to give way as much as possible.

Kindness Comes Back Around

When I give way, the other drivers usually bow, wave, or flash their hazard lights to thank me, which makes me feel “I did something good.” Also, the time spent giving way is only a few seconds, so it doesn’t delay arrival by 5 or 10 minutes, probably almost no difference at all.

So I’ve come to think it’s better to drive with a spirit of mutual courtesy and enjoy the drive.

Since I started giving way more often, something strange has been happening.

Parking spots at stores, convenience stores, and parking lots open up quite frequently.

Recently, I passed by a usually full parking lot thinking, “I probably can’t park here,” but just then a car left, and I was able to park successfully. Even at convenience stores where parking is usually full, one spot was open, and at supermarkets, a spot near the entrance became available…

It might just be coincidence, but I feel like the kindness I show by giving way is coming back to me. (Maybe it’s just my imagination though.)

Anyway, these days I want to always drive safely with plenty of room and a spirit of mutual respect.