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.
Respecting 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.
Additionally, 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.
Respecting the Event
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.
If you bring your kids to a car show, be sure to keep an eye on them, particularly around vehicles. It only takes one tossed rock or toy, a bump into a fender, or a spilled soda to damage a show-car finish.
General Etiquette
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. Rather than make a degrading comment, find something you like about the build and keep it moving.
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.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
