How to express your driving aptitude without being ****tish?
Discussion
It's well known (or maybe common conjecture) that most English people believe their driving standard to be above average.
As we sit here atop our advanced driving high horses, we believe (in many cases correctly), that our driving standard is indeed better than average, if only because we take the time to think about it and try to develop our skills.
This is not a thread to argue about what it is to be 'advanced' or what the definition of average is as it's been done to death.
How does one go about explaining to a layperson that you can actually drive more proficiently than most without coming across as a complete dick?
As is evidenced by the tone of my post, its rather hard for me to explain my problem without already sounding like a pompous tt. Im really not. Promise.
As we sit here atop our advanced driving high horses, we believe (in many cases correctly), that our driving standard is indeed better than average, if only because we take the time to think about it and try to develop our skills.
This is not a thread to argue about what it is to be 'advanced' or what the definition of average is as it's been done to death.
How does one go about explaining to a layperson that you can actually drive more proficiently than most without coming across as a complete dick?
As is evidenced by the tone of my post, its rather hard for me to explain my problem without already sounding like a pompous tt. Im really not. Promise.
TooMany2cvs said:
WetPaint said:
How does one go about explaining to a layperson that you can actually drive more proficiently than most without coming across as a complete dick?
Umm, why would you want to?I'm basically The Stig- let the driving do the talking... The best thing about this is it feels good when somebody is compelled to compliment your driving unprompted, just because it was particularly smooth, or you pulled off an epically good parallel park.
I don't see why you'd want to have a conversation about it anyway, some smartarse is inevitably going to start going on about how they've had no accidents, points, crashes etc in xx years, and that they never speed, which of course can only mean that they are an exceptionally skilled driver... Considerably better than you because you've had points, or you've only been driving x years etc etc.
I don't see why you'd want to have a conversation about it anyway, some smartarse is inevitably going to start going on about how they've had no accidents, points, crashes etc in xx years, and that they never speed, which of course can only mean that they are an exceptionally skilled driver... Considerably better than you because you've had points, or you've only been driving x years etc etc.
Edited by BritishRacinGrin on Wednesday 22 October 02:30
WetPaint said:
How does one go about explaining to a layperson that you can actually drive more proficiently than most without coming across as a complete dick?
As is evidenced by the tone of my post, its rather hard for me to explain my problem without already sounding like a pompous tt. I'm really not. Promise.
A few thoughts:As is evidenced by the tone of my post, its rather hard for me to explain my problem without already sounding like a pompous tt. I'm really not. Promise.
1. 'Better than average' does not equate to good. Average is not a particularly exceptional level of driving aptitude.
2. Criticising a man's driving skill is pretty much akin to criticising their love-making techniques. It's just not done. In any case, the testicular filter installed as standard means that any criticism comes out as 'blah blah blah' by the time it actually reaches the brain.
3. If you have to explain to someone that your driving is better than most then you're doing something wrong. Done properly it should be wholly invisible because it all happens around you rather than to you.
StressedDave said:
3. If you have to explain to someone that your driving is better than most then you're doing something wrong. Done properly it should be wholly invisible because it all happens around you rather than to you.
Not if you're doing the Edited by Pints on Wednesday 22 October 10:29
Nobody knows then
Its not about bragging or criticising other people at all.
Say somebody offers to lend you their car. How do you put their mind at ease and explain that you are competent enough that you are unlikely to crash their car without external influence. That statement in itself sounds big headed and arrogant, but you know what I mean.
I guess you could take them out in your own car and 'let your driving do the talking' but im still interested to know how you might go about explaining it modestly.
Its not about bragging or criticising other people at all.
Say somebody offers to lend you their car. How do you put their mind at ease and explain that you are competent enough that you are unlikely to crash their car without external influence. That statement in itself sounds big headed and arrogant, but you know what I mean.
I guess you could take them out in your own car and 'let your driving do the talking' but im still interested to know how you might go about explaining it modestly.
WetPaint said:
Nobody knows then
Its not about bragging or criticising other people at all.
Say somebody offers to lend you their car. How do you put their mind at ease
If someone is offering to lend you their car I'd imagine that would show in itself their mind was at ease with your driving. Otherwise they wouldn't be offering. Asking for it is different and I wouldn't think in most cases boasting about driving prowess would help the cause.Its not about bragging or criticising other people at all.
Say somebody offers to lend you their car. How do you put their mind at ease
And who says you're a 'better' driver than anyone else anyway? EVERYBODY thinks they're a great driver.
WetPaint said:
Say somebody offers to lend you their car. How do you put their mind at ease
If they've offered, it's already sufficiently at ease.If you think you need to beg, then they're not going to.
WetPaint said:
and explain that you are competent enough that you are unlikely to crash their car without external influence.
Umm, the driving test does that bit. It's avoiding the "external influences" that's the bit which takes skill, practice and experience.TBH, I'm reminded of the old adage about being better to keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool, than open it and prove it.
Remember the old joke about "watch this" being the last words of many drivers who have gone on to die in a fireball immediately afterwards?
I know it's an extreme example, but you can be sure that, the day after telling someone you're an "advanced" driver, you'll have a bump.
I always think that modesty should prevail in these matters.
Or, alternatively, you could post instructive threads on advanced driving in a motoring forum under a silly anonymous name so that everyone (foolishly!) thinks you're a driving god!
I know it's an extreme example, but you can be sure that, the day after telling someone you're an "advanced" driver, you'll have a bump.
I always think that modesty should prevail in these matters.
Or, alternatively, you could post instructive threads on advanced driving in a motoring forum under a silly anonymous name so that everyone (foolishly!) thinks you're a driving god!
Even just expressing an interest in driving runs the risk of sounding like Alan Partridge.
I suspect that many people think that driving is innate and easy, don't realise their own limitations and wouldn't consider that they could have anything else to learn.
As has been said, probably best not to declare yourself a great driver(even if you are or think you are) as you are only setting yourself up for a fall.
Just try to drive well and some people may notice.
I suspect that many people think that driving is innate and easy, don't realise their own limitations and wouldn't consider that they could have anything else to learn.
As has been said, probably best not to declare yourself a great driver(even if you are or think you are) as you are only setting yourself up for a fall.
Just try to drive well and some people may notice.
Edited by MC Bodge on Friday 31st October 22:45
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