| I recently returned from a fun-filled car show with | | | | and follow them. Make sure they know that there |
| my shiny black Mustang GT, I pull into my garage | | | | are some things that are to be seen, and not |
| and got ready to put my car under its custom | | | | touched. Also, children like to get in cars and |
| fitted car cover, only to discover a couple of new | | | | pretend they are driving, so make sure they |
| scratches on my paint, plus a sticky, gooey full | | | | know these cars are not to be sat in. |
| handprint on the front fender. How did all these | | | | 4. Watch out for your loose clothing, especially |
| scratches get on my car? Who left their sticky | | | | items with zippers |
| gooey handprint all over my car? It makes me | | | | Many car shows are held at times of the year or |
| wonder if it is worth taking my car to car shows, | | | | locations where a light jacket might be needed. If |
| when it comes back with signs of inconsiderate | | | | you have on a jacket, or any other loose fitting |
| car show attendees not realizing what the proper | | | | clothing, be aware that dangling zippers can cause |
| etiquette is while attending a car show. | | | | damage if they rub up against a car. You may |
| Now, the vast majority of car show attendees | | | | need to give yourself a little more buffer |
| realize that the cars are to be seen, admired, | | | | between you and the car, just to make sure that |
| gawked at, visually inspected, and examined by | | | | your clothing doesn't come in contact with the |
| the discerning eye, but not touched, leaned | | | | paint. |
| against, bumped, rubbed, or handled in any way. | | | | 5. Watch out for the dangling disasters (handbags, |
| Someone who has spent hours and hours waxing | | | | cameras and other items on a strap) |
| and polishing their car knows that one careless | | | | Items that are hanging over your shoulder or |
| onlooker can leave a mark that destroys those | | | | around your neck seem to be drawn like a |
| hours and hours of TLC. | | | | magnet to the car. If you are doing a lean-in, |
| So, it is with this in mind, that I propose a set of | | | | always grab that handbag or camera, and make |
| Car Show Attendee Etiquette Rules: | | | | sure it isn't swinging loose where it might |
| 1. Look all you want, but please don't touch. | | | | accidentally hit the car. It is best to not have |
| Some people just can't resist the temptation to | | | | anything hanging from around your neck or on |
| touch! Especially something that is shiny. It draws | | | | your shoulder, since that will eliminate the potential |
| them like a magnet. They just have that urge to | | | | for an accidental slip. |
| rub their hands across a nice shiny surface. Or, | | | | 6. Keep all dogs and leashes a few feet away |
| you get the person that just can't seem to stand | | | | While it is quite common to see dogs on leashes |
| up without leaning on something, so they put their | | | | at car shows, it is important to keep the dogs |
| hands on your front fenders and lean on your car, | | | | and the leashes a good distance away from the |
| like they are at the OK Corral and leaning on the | | | | car. If you have a dog, make sure it stays on the |
| corral fence. Well, proper car show etiquette | | | | leash, and that an adult or older youth can control |
| means that you don't touch anything that isn't on | | | | the dog. Don't let the dog leash get so close to |
| your own body! Look all you want, for as long as | | | | the car, where if the dog decides to make a |
| you want, but, just resist that urge to touch or | | | | quick turn, it could scratch the car. Also, be aware |
| lean on the cars. You should always ask | | | | that dogs like to jump into cars, so keep the dog |
| permission before you touch anything. | | | | far enough away from any open doors to avoid |
| 2. Don't rub against the car when leaning over to | | | | that temptation. |
| inspect something | | | | Plus One: Be mindful of the things you say |
| There is often something in the interior of the | | | | There is one additional etiquette rule that is as |
| car, or in the engine compartment, that deserves | | | | important, but doesn't deal with harming the cars. |
| closer inspection. Something has caught your eye, | | | | This one deals with watching what you say about |
| and you want to explore it a little closer. That is all | | | | a car. Although you might have your own likes |
| fine and dandy, as long as you can do it while still | | | | and dislikes of various makes, models, colors, |
| obeying rule #1 above. But, here is the kicker... | | | | styles, etc., you need to keep in mind that the |
| You need to make sure your pants or other | | | | owner of the car you are looking at likes his or |
| items aren't rubbing against the car when you are | | | | her car, and you should be respectful of the time |
| doing a lean-over. Belts, rivets, snaps, and other | | | | and effort he/she has put into getting it ready for |
| clothing items can cause expensive damage to | | | | the car show. It's like Mom always says, "If you |
| the paint. You also need to make sure you aren't | | | | can't say something nice, then don't say anything |
| getting too close to the car when you are walking | | | | at all". What is more than acceptable is a nice |
| around it, so that you don't rub up against it. | | | | compliment to the owner about something |
| 3. Keep an eye on your younger children | | | | specifically you like about the car. That goes a |
| Car shows are great family activities. I have | | | | long way to making the overall car show a great |
| always enjoyed going with my sons and daughter | | | | experience for the lookers and the shiners. |
| to car shows and enjoying the beauty of the | | | | With these very simple and common-courtesy |
| show. However, it is so important to make sure | | | | thoughts in mind, you can attend a car show, |
| younger children understand that they aren't | | | | taking in all its beauty and having a fun-filled day, |
| supposed to touch the cars. This takes just a | | | | without leaving your mark that you were there. |
| moment or two of eye-to-eye contact and | | | | It's like Leave-No-Trace camping, where you |
| instruction, and then the good ole follow-through | | | | leave the campsite with no trace that you were |
| to make sure they understand the instructions | | | | there. It is Leave-No-Trace car show attending. |