You drive a Mercedes: Do you sometime feel obligated to act "wealthy?" - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Godfather · #1 01-02-2003, 05:19 AM

Simple story: I go down to Hollywood for business, I stay at the motel 6 on...I forgot the street, but it was a terrible place to stay! The room was not good, the TV was messed up and I had to fix it, and....well ok it sucked.

Anyway, they had "complimentary valet parking." Great...my $50 room had valet...how great can it be. Anyway, I give the guy my keys, and off he goes. I don't tip. Then after I went up in my room, I come back down 5 min later, get the car, go eat w/ my buddies, come back, but this time I give the guy $5.

I felt that if I didn't give him anything, or too little, he'd probably think "rich stingy mofo!"

Then at the car wash. I let the homies wash my ride b/c it was too dirty and I was too lazy to wash it myself. I give the guy 2 bucks. I'd give only 1 buck if I drove something else, but no I give 2.

Well in my case, money is tight, so I'm tight on how I tip. But do people expect you to pay up just b/c you drive a benz?

Now that was just for tipping.

And what about when you drive, b/c you drive a Mercedes people think you gotta be uptight and have your windows rolled up. Shooot...not me

So I guess this thread could be called the Mercedes driver stereotype really

elau · #2 01-02-2003, 12:53 PM

As for tipping for valet. I generally go with the $2 as I leave them my car and $2 when I pick it up regardless of what car I drive.

I don't believe there is any type of image you have to project just because you drive a benz. As a matter of fact, I think people who drive a benz will probably tip less. That's why they can afford to drive a benz - being frugual.

Lebenz · #3 01-02-2003, 01:04 PM

Would you define what "act[ing] wealthy" means?

Holson Adi · #4 01-02-2003, 01:10 PM

I definitely don't

I tip just the same no matter what I drive.

Most people don't really look at my old MB as a rich-man's car anymore. Well... I've ment some people who still think I am super rich for owning the $3000 MBenz....
til I tell them how much it cost me. Then they just walk away..

el presidente · #5 01-02-2003, 01:30 PM

Nope.

shanta · #6 01-02-2003, 02:16 PM

People don't think I am wealthy and I don't act like I am wealthy either. Seeing how I am young, black and gifted most people think that I sell drugs or something and for the most part I act like it because I love to play of peoples ignorance’s.

I don't tip anyone, not because I can't afford but because for the most part I don't feel the need to. The only exception is this is at a restaurant. I always tip at a restuarant.

Oh, I never valet park either!!!

The Godfather · #7 01-02-2003, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shanta
Seeing how I am young, black and gifted most people think that I sell drugs or something and for the most part I act like it because I love to play of peoples ignorance’s.

LMAO

Park your car w/ valet and say "Foo, you best not mess w/ my car. I'm a pimptress, and if I see something wrong, Im gonna make you my *****!" LOL

Nah but seriously, sometimes people expect me to throw money around just because I drive a benz. Sad really. Oh and I went to a bar w/ that one hottie the other night, and she says "Oh nice car, you get it detailed often?" And that was it

No mention on "ohhh must be expensive." That was refreshing

OR mayby it's my bling bling chrome that makes people think I'm a high roller

- Dr. ///AMG

84300DT · #8 01-02-2003, 04:09 PM

in my clattering diesel, no ... in an S500 maybe :p (in my dreams!)

akry · #9 01-02-2003, 04:27 PM

IMO, to tip or not to tip doesn't really define by what car one drives, but rather base on what kind of service one received. I sometimes don't tip in restaurant, too as they have such a lousy service, I just want to eat as fast as I can, and get out of there..... But with a good service, I usually give 10% or so of the amount billed as tips.....

And NO, I don't trust valet parking at all.... LOL.... I rather park the car myself, give a buck or two to them as "tips" for "watching my car".... LOL... :p :p

Holson Adi · #10 01-02-2003, 05:43 PM

hehehe yeah when I become so unbelievably wealthy I think I would find the nicest 300D and just drive around in that! There is something about the 'uncool', old, 'unfashionable', slow, smoky, and noisy W123 that I really like.

I'm content to have a 500E and a Ferrari 355 to be the nicest cars I'd own if I became rich one day... or maybe even forget the 355. I know that this will most probably change once I have all that money though....

#11 01-02-2003, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulC
I usually open the trunk and toss bottles of Grey Poupon into the crowd. Works every time.

If only Grey Poupon came in those little squeeze packets!

The Godfather · #12 01-03-2003, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sflori
If only Grey Poupon came in those little squeeze packets!

They do in Europe

none of that weird "French's " crap we got here

md21722 · #13 01-03-2003, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulC
Here in Appalachia, any MB is roundly regarded as the conveyance of snooty, wealthy carpetbaggers. When an angry and resentful crowd of locals surrounds my 190E, I usually open the trunk and toss bottles of Grey Poupon into the crowd. Works every time.

Hmmm...... Where do you live in Appalachia???

Freestyler · #14 01-03-2003, 08:39 AM

Wherever i go in my shiny lowered 300E w. AMG mono's, peoples expression seems to say "Ooh poor guy. He can't afford a new car. -Must be out of a job.."

I'm serious! There's really not much 'exclusiveness' in driving an old Benz in this part of the world. And you are definately not considered "rich" for doing so.
There are A LOT of older MB's on the road here. So people are used to see them on every corner. They don't think much about that this car did cost $145000 back in '86.

On the other hand.. When i'm driving my -almost just as old Miata (de-badged/brilliant black/tan leather/full body kit/turbocharged) people go nuts and gather around it in the gas stations! "Is that a Ferrari Daytona?" - "What do you do for a living?" and the ladies go absolutely crazy over it :-)
In the US it would be considered "a poor mans sports car" or a "girly car".

I guess it all depends on what's normal and what's not in the part of the world you're in.

Freestyler

Bruce B · #15 01-04-2003, 11:30 PM

I've known many people who some would consider "wealthy", fact is, they just have more/bigger bills than the rest of us. I just try to be myself, as do they.