Car shows are one of the highlights of the summer season, allowing enthusiasts to showcase their labor of love to fellow gearheads. While auto shows should be enjoyed by attendees of all ages, demographics, and walks of life, there are certain unspoken rules of etiquette every guest should follow—whether you’re popping in as a viewer or setting up a camp chair behind your immaculately-restored ride.
Respect the Vehicles
The number one rule for any event, such as a car show, is to use your eyes, not your hands. There’s no reason you should be touching another enthusiast’s vehicle without prior explicit permission. Many enthusiasts spend years perfecting their vehicle’s finish and details, and doing anything that may mar that finish—like standing on bumpers, rubbing your hands across freshly-corrected paintwork, or sitting on upholstery—is highly frowned upon.
Be Mindful of Your Words
Have you ever heard the adage, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”? There’s a lot of truth behind this statement, especially when it comes to judging another’s hard work. As many seasoned enthusiasts like to say, “You don’t have to like it, so long as they do.” Rather than make a degrading comment, find something you like about the build and keep it moving.
Supervise Children
Many enthusiasts recall attending car shows as kids and cherish those memories for a lifetime. However, equally as important as instilling passion at a young age is teaching responsibility and respect for another’s belongings—like the six-figure restoration project your kid is using as a jungle gym. If you bring your kids to a car show, be sure to keep an eye on them, particularly around vehicles.
Ask Permission Before Taking Photos
Some enthusiasts can be a bit sensitive about picture-taking, so before you snap a photo—especially if the builder is sitting in earshot—ask their permission to pull out your cellphone for a couple of snapshots. Once approval is given, it’s best to snap the photo quickly and move on.
Be Mindful of Your Belongings
So you just picked up some fresh jewelry, a crispy watch, or a custom belt buckle you’re dying to show off at the local car show—for the sake of everyone in attendance, leave them at home. Brushing against paintwork with jewelry, belts, or watches is one of the easiest ways to damage a pristine paint job, leading to thousands of dollars in scratch repairs.
Follow Venue Rules
Typically, venues have designated areas for eating, smoking, and drinking—away from the cars. If so, adhere to the rules and keep the greasy snacks, sugary sodas, and sloppy sauces away from paintwork and interiors.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
