How to Recognize a Girl Car
Dear Tom and Ray,
I recently helped my son buy his first car, a beautiful 1991 Toyota Camry. Lately it seems I can't go anywhere without seeing these cars, so I thought that was a pretty good selling point. Anyway, when I told a guy I work with what car my son bought, he nodded knowingly and said, "Great car, but it's a girl car." I know men are much more hung up on those kinds of things than women are, not just with their cars but in everything they do, say, wear, eat--you name it! It's these ill-defined yet well-understood principles that keep my husband from ever wearing pink clothes or pleated Dockers, from ever going to the mall alone with another guy. They can go to a bar alone together, but not a restaurant. And God forbid a guy should drive a girl car!
So, I ask you, since my son has obviously flubbed that one, what are the criteria by which one can distinguish a girl car? And, while we're on the subject, what other things should my son know about this stuff?
By the way, though, don't use my name, because I don't want my son to know I've exposed him...
A. D.
