Muppets on SE

[tenkfeet]

yada yada yada

Feel I have to give my view.

I may have miss understood your post but I would say driving the cars , trackdays, meets, working on the car whatever ,the real life stuff is more important than the forum. I would say it is NOT an anonymous internet forum as you meet the real people behind the user names who all have a common interest and outstanding knowledge of the cars.Thats what makes it different from many other forums.

As you say people can express their views in anyway they like but I think you have to respect other people and the group as you would in any social situation . I think the mods do a great job for what is a thankless task. ( a comment worth considerable discount at a well known MP3 player retailer )

I will admit to being guilty of muppetry and expect to be slagged for it .

[Jamie84]

Fair point ,putting the legal/cops thing to the side, I am a little confused as to the bits about lotus owners being a good bunch and having a good reputation everywhere they go ...

Surly on every sports car forum there are people boasting about cars limits n stuff ? Sports cars go fast ..

I posted the other day what speed I was doing on a road, does this really "tarnish" the lotus reputation ? Where exactly is this reputation present ? knockhill? , Do people stand in groups and avoid certain car drivers ie scoobys because they drive too fast or have a bad name or break speed limits ?
I just think there is a big exaggerated fuss made bout the "lotus reputation" do you think Mr Mondeo would come on this forum and leave thinkin " bad bunch that lotus lot , I 'am gonna frown apon the next lotus I see"

Maybe I jut dont "get" the whole lotus owndership, wear your lotus with pride , serve the community, philosophy.?

Do the media frown apon certain car manufacturers because of the internet community they have ?

Fast cars have a reputation of being fast . Scoobies and evos have a reputation for being fast , Does that mean every scoob/evo driver is a complete knob who drives like a muppet ?

This whole reputaion thing is a load of bollocks if you ask me , If there is reputation wars that go on at trackdays n stuff then feel free to correct me but I find that hard to believe.

So.... I dont really know whos eyes this reputation is being tarnished ?

Is it cops you are talking about ?

Please elaborate ..

[Brian J]

Bit mystified by all this as I obviously didn't read any of the threads referred to. Good advice generally not to read threads that are not of interest:)

In the past a few guys have cropped up who didn't share the interests of the majority - but they usually then drop out quite soon.

The site still has quality threads such as the recent one on the definition of "tuts". I vote for no radical change of policy.

I worry a bit about the condescending references to young/poor people buying older Elises - I was brought up to treat poor people just the same and find it rewarding! - just like my friend who was only allowed once a year on his birthday to kick the footman. (Clarify that the last bit was a joke in case it offends the PC contingent)

Brian J

[Scotty C]

Fair point ,putting the legal/cops thing to the side, I am a little confused as to the bits about lotus owners being a good bunch and having a good reputation everywhere they go ...

Surly on every sports car forum there are people boasting about cars limits n stuff ? Sports cars go fast ..

I posted the other day what speed I was doing on a road, does this really "tarnish" the lotus reputation ? Where exactly is this reputation present ? knockhill? , Do people stand in groups and avoid certain car drivers ie scoobys because they drive too fast or have a bad name or break speed limits ?
I just think there is a big exaggerated fuss made bout the "lotus reputation" do you think Mr Mondeo would come on this forum and leave thinkin " bad bunch that lotus lot , I 'am gonna frown apon the next lotus I see"

Maybe I jut dont "get" the whole lotus owndership, wear your lotus with pride , serve the community, philosophy.?

Do the media frown apon certain car manufacturers because of the internet community they have ?

Fast cars have a reputation of being fast . Scoobies and evos have a reputation for being fast , Does that mean every scoob/evo driver is a complete knob who drives like a muppet ?

This whole reputaion thing is a load of bollocks if you ask me , If there is reputation wars that go on at trackdays n stuff then feel free to correct me but I find that hard to believe.

So.... I dont really know whos eyes this reputation is being tarnished ?

Is it cops you are talking about ?

Please elaborate ..

I need that smiley that bangs his head on the wall and turns red.

[ed]

I need that smiley that bangs his head on the wall and turns red.

Dont say i aint good to ya!

[Brian J]

Fair point ,putting the legal/cops thing to the side, I am a little confused as to the bits about lotus owners being a good bunch and having a good reputation everywhere they go ...

Surly on every sports car forum there are people boasting about cars limits n stuff ? Sports cars go fast ..

I posted the other day what speed I was doing on a road, does this really "tarnish" the lotus reputation ? Where exactly is this reputation present ? knockhill? , Do people stand in groups and avoid certain car drivers ie scoobys because they drive too fast or have a bad name or break speed limits ?
I just think there is a big exaggerated fuss made bout the "lotus reputation" do you think Mr Mondeo would come on this forum and leave thinkin " bad bunch that lotus lot , I 'am gonna frown apon the next lotus I see"

Maybe I jut dont "get" the whole lotus owndership, wear your lotus with pride , serve the community, philosophy.?

Do the media frown apon certain car manufacturers because of the internet community they have ?

Fast cars have a reputation of being fast . Scoobies and evos have a reputation for being fast , Does that mean every scoob/evo driver is a complete knob who drives like a muppet ?

This whole reputaion thing is a load of bollocks if you ask me , If there is reputation wars that go on at trackdays n stuff then feel free to correct me but I find that hard to believe.

So.... I dont really know whos eyes this reputation is being tarnished ?

Is it cops you are talking about ?

Please elaborate ..

I need that smiley that bangs his head on the wall and turns red.

Scotty, apologies - now I see what you mean.

[Jamie84]

yada yada yada

[/quote] I would say it is NOT an anonymous internet forum as you meet the real people behind the user names who all have a common interest and outstanding knowledge of the cars.Thats what makes it different from many other forums.
[/quote]


Agreed , but the thing about forums is you can choose wether to remain anonymous or not , I feel some of my posts are valid/reasonable but just because I haven't poped my SE cherry they are rendered total sh*t or hilarious, Alright looking back some may be a little daft I'll hold my hands up but I was a newbie

end of the day you should have the option to commit to SE as much as you like on what ever level you like without taking pelters for lack of commitment .....Obviously I expect a hard time as know one knows me as of yet so I dont make a fuss about it.. creating new posts complainig about the situation .....Vice versa... why bother making a "muppets" thread , Its an INTERNET forum , I cant decide how I am placed "in the group" .....and other folks cant decided who comes and goes.

Easy peasy.

[thinfourth]

Stuff


So.... I dont really know whos eyes this reputation is being tarnished ?

Is it cops you are talking about ?

Please elaborate ..

Okay as a member of the public go and stand on a street and watch the cars go past. Most cars you can make an assumption about the driver.

The rep mobile, the chaved up 206, the taxi, the bus.

Each and eveyone of these opinions is based on nothing more then a stereo type. Some will be right some will be wrong. Now where do these assumptions come from.

They come from the media, friends, experience and the net.

Now we as a group want to have a reputation as being nice people. As being nice people can get away with far more stuff then nasty people.

I drive a 7 which looks like a nice little classic car and little old ladies wave as i go past. They think i am nice person out for a nice slow sunday drive to watch bunnys. But I'm not. I can cruise through a village at 30mph in top gear and no one will bat an eyelid where as mr scoobie could go through the same village at the same speed with his nosey exhaust and nasty spoilers and get 3 complaints to the cops. Mainly as he has a reputation as an idiot.

Having a good reputation helps very much so in the real world and we want to try and keep it.

As to bragging about performance and who is fastest. venture down to the trackdays forum and see the ribbing that goes on there.

Another way to think of performance is "talk quietly but carry a big stick"

[Shug]

Okay - glad you're taking interest.

You've made a very good point to bounce off. Case history - There is a really good Subaru Impreza web-community, which SE was pretty close to when it formed. Here's what happened to them:

When just new, Scoobys were the "Enthusiast's tool" Got bought by people, used spiritedly on the road (in remote locations) and on track - public awareness, low

They got older and cheaper - the nutters got a hold of them and started driving like tits. Cruise forums get filled with idiots in them. Public awareness, higher and not positive

Now - you can buy one pretty cheap, the enthusiasts are being chased out of it. Public awareness - neds car, kinda screwed it for the real fans of them.


Guys who have been about a long time in the lotus community are seeing the same pattern and want to try and delay that. I'm not calling you a ned or an idiot, but go back to some of your posts and tell me honesly you don't sound like one...

We are talking fact here and perhaps you just need to look a little closer at what's going on around you. When you travel in groups in these cars, the reaction from the general public (we're not talking about Central Glasgow here, mind you) is very positive, thumbs up, giving us room to overtake, etc. If a group of Scoobies goes out on a run now (which happens less and less) the general public get busy with reporting a street race - and the Scooby boys are doing nothing different to us.

As for the "boasting on forums" bit. I think you're getting confused here. There aren't many people shouting about doing x mph in y location. It's juvenile and it's dumb to do so - if you honestly think otherwise, you're in a pretty lonely position on this forum.

I also think some of the difficulty you have with this place is that you think it's just another faceless forum - not so. The core group know each other and it's actively encouraged to come along and meet people. That's what makes it important to people - it's a group of real mates, not just internet pals.

Please mate - try to get your head round this instead of just thinking everyone but you is talking pish.

[mac]

This whole reputaion thing is a load of bollocks if you ask me , If there is reputation wars that go on at trackdays n stuff then feel free to correct me but I find that hard to believe.

So.... I dont really know whos eyes this reputation is being tarnished ?

Is it cops you are talking about ?

Please elaborate ..

On the whole I've found that most other road users treat us well, on road runs it's not usual for folk to wave us passed, stop and give us priority at junctions when we don't have it and generally lets us get on with our fun without interference.

I'm not sure that BMW or Merc drivers could say the same - I know that I revert into "marque sterotype eg BMW owner don't indicate etc" when I'm driving and see the same from other road users.

We wave back at kids in the back seats of car, we thank folk who go out of their way so that we can pass unimpeded, we slow down to 30mph and never go a single mph above it when on road runs and going through villages. We try not to act brash or show-offish. We are nice folk behind the wheel - thoughtfull to other road users and in my experience it get's repaid.


Mac

[s29ttc]

[quote="thinfourth"]

the chaved up 206 [quote]

Come on take it easy! Im not a chav!

[Shug]

the chaved up 206

Come on take it easy! Im not a chav!

Exactly the point - reputation

[mac]

the chaved up 206

Come on take it easy! Im not a chav!

No, no - you would never wear your jeans half way down your thighs like your arse has fainted


Jamie - the above comment works as friendly banter as it was used as an ice breaker on Monday night - I can call folk names and because they know me, have met me and understand my sense of humor, I get away with it.

It's all about knowing your audience - Take Ricky Gervais's routine in GTA - brilliantly funny - unless he's been booked by weight watchers, in which case he might just get lynched.

[MacK]

This whole reputaion thing is a load of bollocks if you ask me , If there is reputation wars that go on at trackdays n stuff then feel free to correct me but I find that hard to believe.

So.... I dont really know whos eyes this reputation is being tarnished ?

Is it cops you are talking about ?

Please elaborate ..

On the whole I've found that most other road users treat us well, on road runs it's not usual for folk to wave us passed, stop and give us priority at junctions when we don't have it and generally lets us get on with our fun without interference.

I'm not sure that BMW or Merc drivers could say the same - I know that I revert into "marque stereotype eg BMW owner don't indicate etc" when I'm driving and see the same from other road users.

We wave back at kids in the back seats of car, we thank folk who go out of their way so that we can pass unimpeded, we slow down to 30mph and never go a single mph above it when on road runs and going through villages. We try not to act brash or show-offish. We are nice folk behind the wheel - thoughtfull to other road users and in my experience it get's repaid.


Mac

Exactly, that hits the nail on the head, (where's the smiley for that? )

[Jamie84]

Bus drivers /Taxi drivers/BMW/Merc/chav mobiles , All common as muck , Expected reputation. I dont think you can catergorise (sp?) Lotus with all the above mentioned.

Id like to think that when someone see's my lotus on the road , the last thing they are thinking about is the "Lotus reputation".



I see more lambos/ferraris than I do exiges , What harmless reputations do they have apart from being flash barsteward ?