Why don't you just...

[SuperBuickGuy]

three times in two days I've had people comment the "whydon'tyoujust...." (buy a new Corvette, get a miata racecar, etc). And I've responded with "whydon'tyoujustshoveyourheadupyourassquietly" .... I don't get it... they seem to think I'm rude

[TheSilverBuick]

Well if you got and wore the gold chains they wouldn't ask such questions.

[cantvalve16]

Well you have to admit they have a point. Why, oh, why don't you live your life exactly the way "they" think would be best? I mean, you really are going about things the hard way. So many cars that don't always work. It takes a fully equiped shop to repair/improve them. And then when you are done, there is no warranty. What kind of stupid loser goes about things this way? Why don't you just....

Oh, ya. Because there is an intrinsic reward from taking a steaming heap from junkyard to glory. A confidence built from skills aquired and hurtles overcome. But mostly, two 8 inch wide black marks that bob and weave for 200 feet because I attemped to flatten the throttle pedal. Ya, because it's fun.

[oldsman71]

they want you to quit working on your old stuff?

[pdub]

The best thing I've ever found, and it comes from all of the trainer/brain training I've been exposed to, and it's simple. Too simple. I didn't make this up, I was taught this in a brain class:

If anybody asks you a question, be it "Why don't you," or whatever, it doesn't matter about the nature of the question. If you don't like the question, look them straight back in the eye and say, "Why do you ask?"

Shuts them down every time. They're paralyzed by that comeback. End of awkward conversation. It works every time. Trust me.

[SuperBuickGuy]

The best thing I've ever found, and it comes from all of the trainer/brain training I've been exposed to, and it's simple. Too simple. I didn't make this up, I was taught this in a brain class:

If anybody asks you a question, be it "Why don't you," or whatever, it doesn't matter about the nature of the question. If you don't like the question, look them straight back in the eye and say, "Why do you ask?"

Shuts them down every time. They're paralyzed by that comeback. End of awkward conversation. It works every time. Trust me.

oh Pdub, that's a dangerous response for a car guy - because then you'll get why, starting with the Creation of earth and slowly going to the invention of the automobile, with a brief stopover in the "but the ___ (government, big oil, democrats, republicans, aunt edith) kept them from building it"..... yep, they'll tell you exactly why, which is why you have to be specific as to the destination, manner, and duration of your advice back to them.

[pdub]

oh Pdub, that's a dangerous response for a car guy - because then you'll get why, starting with the Creation of earth and slowly going to the invention of the automobile, with a brief stopover in the "but the ___ (government, big oil, democrats, republicans, aunt edith) kept them from building it"..... yep, they'll tell you exactly why, which is why you have to be specific as to the destination, manner, and duration of your advice back to them.

Well, then go to Plan B. "It's none of your business." It works in The South. It's rude, but effective.

[kyhunter89]

Why don't you go fxxx yourself? Is seriously my normal answer.

I get "why mess up an all original car"... because it came with 160 horsepower.

[kyhunter89]

Why don't you go fxxx yourself? Is seriously my normal answer.

I get "why mess up an all original car"... because it came with 160 horsepower.

[Thumpin455]

Somehow I dont get that anymore. It used to be in the 90s people would ask me why I dont go get a new car and sell off all that old junk that I have to work on all the time. Now they look at my yard and say things like the guy here today did... "Wow, there are lots of valuable cars here once they are all finished."

My mom used to bug me about selling all the old stuff and buying a "nice new car" but she is also the person who tried to pressure me into buying a 76 Volare with a slant six with an orange and cream colored interior because it was "neat" and "snazzy." She is also the person that bought an 84 Buick Skyhawk with no options for $4500 when it had 140k on it.

When I got asked that before I would explain that it is cheaper for me to have old stuff. No car payment, low insurance because I dont need full coverage, lower taxes and plates, and no depreciation after paying about 6x more than it costs me to build a car out of a rusty cowl and section of roof. One friend says I need to cull the herd because it costs too much to have 40 cars sitting around. I havent spent one thin dime on the 79 TA that has been sitting on jackstands in my dads shed since 1988, but I am going to, and it is rust free, complete, and has no mice in it. Then you have the parts thing that has allowed me to do things VERY cheap.

Besides, its fun to play with this old junk, even if sometimes I end up working on it on a cold winter night trying to get the beater going after some part rusted off it in the salt.

[yellomalibu]

... because the journey IS the destination.

- and walk away.

[Bob Holmes]

Well if you got and wore the gold chains they wouldn't ask such questions.

[Bob Holmes]

I get the "why don't cha" all the time.

To hell with them!!!

[antmnte]

Why dont you just KICK EM IN THE JIMMY ! They will leave you alone !

[Thumpin455]

Why dont you just KICK EM IN THE JIMMY ! They will leave you alone !

Then they can sue you, or at least have the cops arrest you and cite you for assault. Insults are still acceptable forms of retaliation.