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
Car shows are gatherings of enthusiasts and their vehicles—typically rare, vintage, or heavily-modified examples—put on display to showcase the love, care, and labor that gearheads put into their rides. The number one rule for any event, such as a car show, convention, or exhibit, is to use your eyes, not your hands. There’s no reason you should be touching another enthusiast’s vehicle without prior explicit permission.
Be Mindful of Your Surroundings
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.
Dress Appropriately
If you must sport your jewelry, consider holding your hands behind your back when approaching a vehicle, and be mindful of your distances. 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: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
