People tend to stereotype Mercedes-Benz owners as arrogant people. That is certainly not true, of course, but I’ve always been conscious of it. This awareness of what people think of Mercedes-Benz owners has in many ways affected me. I remember when I was dreaming and shopping for my “new” car, I didn’t want to tell people that I was looking at Mercedes-Benz models because I didn’t want to give the impression that I was bragging or had money. My close friends knew that I wanted a 190E, but they were actually against it suggesting that I get a BMW E36 model or—their recommendation to me—an Acura Legend. Why? Because, unlike a Mercedes-Benz, a 3 Series or a Legend is not an “old man’s car.” Oh, yeah, that’s another stereotype of M-B and another reason why I didn’t want to tell other people that I wanted one, lest they think that I’m trying to be mature and sophisticated.

It’s kind of strange that some social stereotypes that people impose on M-B have instilled guilt feelings within me. I can’t be open about my love and enthusiasm for M-B cars. I’m afraid (if that’s the word) that people will think I’m being pretentious, insulting them or their cars, trying to be sophisticated, or just flat out bragging by talking about Mercedes-Benz. I sometimes get embarrassed when people ask me what I drive—I usually say that I drive a car. If they then ask me what kind of car, I just say a sedan. When people do find out that I drive a M-B, they might make comments like, “wow, rich kid” or “wow, when did you become so rich?” or “why didn’t you just get a Honda?” I remember once I asked my friend to go to this place with me, and he responded, “I don’t have any money; I’m not as rich as you, Mr. Mercedes-Benz.” Arghhh!

I remember in another situation, I was about to leave campus when I saw some friends chatting on the parking lot. I was in my car by then and was about to leave, but I decided to park near them, BUT not so near that it may seem that I’m trying to show off my car and screaming, “Hey, look at me, I drive a Benz!” Well, when I went to greet them, most appeared to ignore me and I couldn’t help but think that it was because of my car. To them, I was some sell out, capitalist pig who just love money and image. By the way, these people have socialist views and are against the “ruling rich.”

When I used to work in Glendale as a bookkeeper, I actually parked on the side street because I was kind of embarrassed, for a lack of a better word here, to park in front of the office where everyone could see it. I didn’t want my boss or co-workers to think that I’m trying to show off. Yes, people think all M-B owners are show-offs. Heck, I was kind of embarrassed to look at my professor when he passed me on the way home from a field trip our class had. If I looked at him and he saw me, then he might think that I’m showing off—and that might affect his view of me when grading comes around. I tend to be very conscious of these things.

I take pride in my car; I worked hard for it and dreamt about it for almost two years (researching, shopping, saving, deciding, and waiting for the next big repair on my Samurai to spring up). But all these stereotypes have really made me feel guilty and even prevented me from talking about M-B cars. If I tell people that I have a M-B, then I feel like that I’m boasting. People really tend to judge you and it’s a bloody shame. I know if I bought a brand new Honda, people would react differently—even supportive. But I bought a MERCEDES-BENZ because I’ve always loved Mercedes-Benz. I love how they look, how they are built, how they are engineered. And I love the ambiance of their presence. I could care less about the image they project, the chicks that they attract, or the respect they may elicit from other rich people. Ok, the chick part is a bonus, hehe. Owning a Benz is not about money . . . sure, I treat my car like if it were worth a million dollars, but that’s only because I love it. I only wish other people would understand that and not think all M-B owners are arrogant, shallow, “I’m better than you because I drive a Benz” kind of people. And also, I wish they would stop thinking that all M-B people are too much into their cars. Actually, we are, but for DIFFERENT reasons. The only people who I can be open about my love for M-B are my close friends from high school; they’re either car enthusiast or just know the real me.

And, oh, this is a great site to rant about Mercedes-Benz! Now, how to save my pennies for that E500. . . .