Page 39 - 2019 Auto Show Guide

Certain car body styles can
also be quite revealing.

If you drive a convertible, psychologists say you
are more likely to be energetic, active and out-
doorsy. And they say those who drive 4x4s want
to be masters of the road, people who won’t al-
low anything to get in their way. However, if that
pickup is tricked out with special headlights and
‘look at me’ gear, it may mean you’re compen-
sating for a lack of power somewhere by making
up for it in the truck. Again, contrary to popular
belief, confident and self-assured people don’t
drive the biggest, flashiest vehicles. Psycholo-
gists say that actually, the bigger and more at-
tention-seeking your car is, the less confident
you actually feel.

What you put ON your car can also say quite a
bit about you. If you deck your vehicle out with
bumper stickers for sports teams, it means you
like to feel like part of that crowd. If it’s always
a winner, or typically the underdog, by exten-
sion, you are, too. And if the sticker is political,
it means you’re outspoken, and quite often, sat-
isfied at being an “outsider”, part of a righteous
minority, which compels you to share it publicly.
If it’s an honor roll sticker, psychologists say put-
ting that on your car is less about how proud you
are of your own child, and more about establish-
ing your superiority by comparing yourself to
others, and making sure others know it.

Finally, what your car looks like on the
inside can say quite a bit, too. No matter what
you drive, the way you maintain it, inside and
out, gives people insight into your personality. If
it’s a mess, people may assume you are as well. It
may also tell others that you’re super-busy, scat-
tered, or just don’t care.

The bottom line, everything about the vehicle
you spend your time in reveals quite a bit about
who you are, and what drives you, so to speak.

37 ANNUAL ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW 35
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