Private plates - a lighthearted question

poppasmurf_bewdley

Billy_Bullocks wrote: »

You already have.

I'm pleased you are so happy about it.

poppasmurf_bewdley

MobileSaver wrote: »

Seriously?!? As pointed out by others, a 5 supposedly representing an S is ridiculous. The vast majority of people seeing, for example, JON 5S would think the driver was called JON. A few might think it was meant to say JON'SS and I can't think of anyone who would think JONES.



For the avoidance of doubt, I was referring to your buyer as the fool. Obviously if you want to spend a couple of hundred quid on something that makes you smile then knock yourself out but several thousand pounds (for a plate that hardly anyone would realise what it was meant to say) is just silly and ridicule is rightly deserved.



The vast majority of people think good private plates are pretty cool (e.g. "VIP 1") but similarly the vast majority of people think wannabe "pretend that number is a letter" plates are just sad and pathetic and much hilarity then ensues. If you buy a plate to make people smile then I suppose it has served its purpose although almost certainly not for the reason you think.

You are entitled to your opinions. Just as I am to mine.

AdrianC

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

You are entitled to your opinions. Just as I am to mine.

...and just as everybody who sees your car on the road is.

Remember, you know what your surname is and what your vanity plate is meant to read. They don't. Nor do they much care.

poppasmurf_bewdley

AdrianC wrote: »

...and just as everybody who sees your car on the road is.

Remember, you know what your surname is and what your vanity plate is meant to read. They don't. Nor do they much care.

Which is something that bothers me not one jot. But I have to say the envy or derision really oozes out from the anti cherished plate brigade.

Billy_Bullocks

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Which is something that bothers me not one jot. But I have to say the envy or derision really oozes out from the anti cherished plate brigade.

You're putting some effort into justifying your unnecessary purchase.

AdrianC

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Which is something that bothers me not one jot. But I have to say the envy or derision really oozes out from the anti cherished plate brigade.

I'm not envious or derisive. Genuinely. Just baffled.

Perhaps you can clear up the mystery a bit...

I am assuming you need no prompts to remember your own surname. And you say that the reason for having something approximating it on your registration is not to advertise it to others, because you understand that they don't much care. So... what IS the reason?

poppasmurf_bewdley

AdrianC wrote: »

I'm not envious or derisive. Genuinely. Just baffled.

Perhaps you can clear up the mystery a bit...

I am assuming you need no prompts to remember your own surname. And you say that the reason for having something approximating it on your registration is not to advertise it to others, because you understand that they don't much care. So... what IS the reason?

Because I wanted it. Satisfied? I must say that in my experience, those who don't like cherished plates either can't have one, can't afford one or have something like a 15 year old Fiat Panda that's not worth putting a cherished plate on.

poppasmurf_bewdley

Billy_Bullocks wrote: »

You're putting some effort into justifying your unnecessary purchase.

Of course it was a totally unnecessary purchase.

But until the socialist utopia comes along and decides for us what we can or cannot buy, I will spend MY money on what I want.

AdrianC

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Because I wanted it. Satisfied?

Lovely, but why...?

Does it give you a warm and fuzzy to look at your car and go "Oh, look, that's a bit like MY NAME on the bit of legally-required perspex on either end of it!" - so, basically, vanity.

I must say that in my experience, those who don't like cherished plates either can't have one, can't afford one or have something like a 15 year old Fiat Panda that's not worth putting a cherished plate on.

<chuckle> No.

My parents used to have 5555AD on a car back in the late '70s, when I was about 8-9 years old but already car-mad. That, you have to admit, would be a decent plate for me to have. It came on a car when they bought it, it went when they sold it - absolutely zero premium to Am I miffed that they didn't keep it for me...? Not one bit. But, surely, I'd put it on one of my cars if it came into my possession today? It'd be straight for sale. No, really. I would.

I just don't get it. And nobody has ever been able to come up with anything even remotely compelling to convince me. The only reason I can see is vanity...

OTOH, there are sound counter-reasons. I got badly cut-up by some numpty in an Elk Merc a few years back. Bad move when you have a two-digit-two-letter vanity plate. It's very, VERY easy to remember and pass on to the Police.

poppasmurf_bewdley

AdrianC wrote: »

Lovely, but why...?

Does it give you a warm and fuzzy to look at your car and go "Oh, look, that's a bit like MY NAME on the bit of legally-required perspex on either end of it!" - so, basically, vanity.



<chuckle> No.

My parents used to have 5555AD on a car back in the late '70s, when I was about 8-9 years old but already car-mad. That, you have to admit, would be a decent plate for me to have. It came on a car when they bought it, it went when they sold it - absolutely zero premium to Am I miffed that they didn't keep it for me...? Not one bit. But, surely, I'd put it on one of my cars if it came into my possession today? It'd be straight for sale. No, really. I would.

I just don't get it. And nobody has ever been able to come up with anything even remotely compelling to convince me. The only reason I can see is vanity...

OTOH, there are sound counter-reasons. I got badly cut-up by some numpty in an Elk Merc a few years back. Bad move when you have a two-digit-two-letter vanity plate. It's very, VERY easy to remember and pass on to the Police.

Of course. Maybe that's why I've tried to behave myself whilst driving.

But in the meantime, just because you can't see the point is no reason to decry those who do. I'll leave you to carry on 'not getting it'!