Anyone know what that bumper sticker is supposed to mean? I saw it the other day and can only think of two possibilities:
“Don’t make fun of a person driving a car this crappy, because your kid might be driving it.” This is possible, but unlikely because of the phrasing (“your daughter might be in here,” not “your daughter might be driving it”) and because it was on a fairly nice, new-looking car. Would make more sense if it was on a junker.
A veiled thread: “Don’t make fun of us, because we might have kidnapped your daughter and be holding her hostage in this car right now.” An unlikely sentiment, but it can certainly read that way.
What do you think? One of the above, or something else entirely? Is this a pop culture reference that went over my head?
It dates at least from the 70s, when 1940s/50s-era dad-type person would laugh at the panel van (shaggin’ wagon / fuck truck) surfer vehicle with airbrushed surf culture art on the sides, crushed velvet interior, and mattress in the back.
My gut feeling is they mean 2), as skeevy as it is. I don’t see how it can be 1); surely I would probably be able to recognise my daughter’s car.
Given the sticker was on a fairly new-ish car, a possible 3) is that you are not to laugh at the occupants of the car who look freaky or shabby in appearance because they may have in fact formed personal relationships with your daughter and have her with them in the car at that time.
Martiju got it in one. Back in the late 1960/early 1970 when vans were becoming popular this bumper sticker and the ever popular If you see this van rocking
don’t bother knockin
were almost a requirement on to drive said vehicle.
Not about kidnapping, it is about don’t make fun of my shitty van, 'cause I’m having sex with your daughter in it tonight.
Honestly, this sticker is at least thirty years old and has nothing to do with either road safety in old junkers or potential kidnapping. It’s just a bit of teenage male sexual bravado: You drive a Beemer and I’m in a $2000 car, but hey! I’m shaggin’ yer daughter!
Wow, I’ve been pondering over that bumper sticker since yesterday, and that explanation never once occurred to me. I don’t know if I’ve just marked myself as incredibly naive or pure-minded or what. Thanks guys.
Huh. I’ve seen pictures of it on old jalopies in the 30’s driven by guys with, like, racoon coats, in which I assumed it meant “Don’t laugh, one of the twenty people crammed into this car making fools of themselves might be your daughter!” - I’ve also seen the same thing, same vintage, with “Don’t laugh, your roomate could be in here!” painted on it. I didn’t think there was really a sexual connotation.
I personally had a 1969 Chevy Van with no windows, paneling, shag rug, killer speaker system and on the rear painted-out window, that sticker that my girlfriend bought for me and said I really must have.
How cool is that?
