I’m writing a book about driving at the moment, and was
intrigued when I stumbled upon a press release that claimed a person’s name
could have a direct bearing on the type of car they drive.
The research from MoneySupermarket.com shows that while
Stephen Fry famously drives around in a black taxi and Jess Ennis was handed
the keys to a brand new Jaguar following her success in the Olympics, people
named Stephen are most likely to drive a Land Rover, while Jessicas are most to
likely drive Ferraris.
Prince William and Kate Middleton thrilled crowds around
Buckingham Palace on their wedding day when they went for a spin in a blue
Aston Martin belonging to Prince Charles. However, drivers named William are
most likely to get behind the wheel of a Ferrari, while Kates prefer the elegance
of a Maserati. Elizabeths are most likely to drive a Suzuki, while drivers
called Charles are most likely to drive a Mazda.
Meanwhile, celebrity magazines claim Justin Bieber and Harry
Styles share a penchant for fast cars. The analysis shows men named Justin are
most likely to drive Porsches; not worlds apart from Justin Bieber's real
choice of motor, a Fisker Karmer. However, while Harry Styles has recently been
seen driving a white Ford Capri he bought on eBay, most UK Harrys prefer the
Bentley.
Damiens and Vincents are most likely to drive a Porsche,
while Jades and Garys have the greatest affinity with Ford brands. Moving
off-road, Bruces and Donalds are more likely to own Jeeps, while Nigels and
Rogers prefer Land Rovers.
Those who topped the charts for souped-up Subaru drivers were
called Shane, Dale and Carly, while those most likely to drive Skodas are named
Norman, Roland and Valerie. The names most commonly associated with Jaguars are
Bernard, Malcolm, Audrey and Janet, while those named Jeremy are most likely to
drive an Aston Martin; taking after Top Gear’s Mr Clarkson himself!
Do you share one of these names, and if so, do you follow
the trend? Or is it all a load of nonsense?
Maybe it’s actually your social outlook that affects the
car you drive: the size of your wallet, your age or the number of children you
have. Or maybe you want to give people a certain impression in the car that you
drive. (You can find out what your car says about you by taking this very scientific, test.)
When we look at a car, we instantly make certain
judgements: taking in age, colour and whether it’s in good nick. We also do this
with other humans; we can’t help it. It’s the way we process information about
people. But this can also be dangerous, because people often leap to the wrong
conclusions.
Some people drive great big fancy cars/wear expensive
designer gear, but maybe inside they are insecure, depressed and hurting.
Others drive battered wagons/wear Tesco clothes but that doesn’t necessarily
mean they are inadequate/unworthy.
While certain vehicles seem to attract
certain types of behaviour (what comes to mind when someone says “Audi driver”,
for example?), there is always more to a person than what they look like or
what car they drive.
The make or model of car you drive does not define who
you are as a person. But what you do, say and think when you’re behind the
wheel does. Do you revert to type when you’re driving? Do you behave in a way
you wouldn’t if you weren’t encapsulated within a metal shell?
Would you drive the way you do if God was in the
passenger seat (He is, by the way, seeing as He’s omnipresent and all that)? If so, you auto know better!
Read more from Joy in the next issue of Sorted magazine.
