You Know What Really Grinds My Gears?

[AndyC]

Somewhat related to bumper stickers - the Ichthys, otherwise known as the Christian fish symbol. Personally, I don't mind when people put these on their cars. As a means of declaring your religious beliefs (if you're into advertising personal things), the fish is pretty classy. It's simple, it's subtle, and it's been used for that purpose for a very long time. As a symbol, I like it better than a cross. And unlike bumper stickers, fish usually come as little chromed-plastic trim pieces that look better on the car.

However, what makes me roll my eyes and groan is seeing a Christian fish on a car with "JESUS" spelled out in the middle of it. I want to pull these people over and explain what a symbol is. The fish stands for Christianity. Fish=Jesus. It is a well-known symbol, and spelling out its meaning inside it is moronically redundant.

And the excuse that "some people might not get it" makes it no less dumb. First, give people a little credit. Few things annoy me more than stupid people who express a low opinion of other people's intelligence. Second, the whole point of the fish symbol, at least historically, is that certain people wouldn't know what it meant. It's a sign believers have used to recognize one another since the days when Christians were still an oppressed minority. You want something subtle and cool, use a fish. You want something clear and obvious, use a cross or spell out "JESUS." But don't put the name on the symbol. And please don't stick a cross on the fish like a little periscope.

If you must put anything in the fish, the Greek word for fish, ΙΧΘΥΣ, is traditional and holds significance of its own.

And while I'm at it, people who use clever Ichthys parodies annoy me as well. Not only is it rudely, and very broadly mocking what other people believe, it is specifically mocking one of the more tasteful and unobtrusive ways people can advertise their beliefs, if they feel compelled to do so.

For the record, I do not feel such a compulsion. My spiritual beliefs are not for sustained, indiscriminate broadcasting to strangers. I consider that undignified, tacky, and even rude.

Now Indy is going to say that he has a fish on his car with both "JESUS" and a cross on it, and I'm going to feel all chagrined.  

[Chainsawmidget]

Now Indy is going to say that he has a fish on his car with both "JESUS" and a cross on it, and I'm going to feel all chagrined.

Indy's got the entire last supper painted on the side of his van, man!

[Kaseykockroach]

Anime fans.
Just....Anime fans.

[The Gravekeeper]

Anime fans.
Just....Anime fans.

Are we talking the full-on Japanophiles who believe that anything that comes out of Japan is golden, or the people who just happen to like anime?

[Kaseykockroach]

The former.

[ghouck]

I have two bumper stickers on my car.  One is about pooping and the other is about pirates.  If you don't like that, we can take this argument outside.

I have been known to put bumper stickers on other people's cars, just for fun. My favorites are "I (heart) midget porn!" and "I F%^&ed the chick from Hansen". I also modified a guy from work's sticker, it used to say "I (heart) my bad-ass attitude". I changed the word "bad" to "gay". He was mad.

[Mr. DS]

I really like the Cthulhu fish with tenticles and feet for the record.

[Mr. DS]

People who call up requesting I fax something and give me the wrong fax number.  Usually they call up wondering why they didn't receive their fax.  Then I get into a p!ssing contest over whether or not they gave me the right number.  Um hello there, I read it back for you twice. 

[Doggett]

People who call up requesting I fax something and give me the wrong fax number.  Usually they call up wondering why they didn't receive their fax.  Then I get into a p!ssing contest over whether or not they gave me the right number.  Um hello there, I read it back for you twice. 

You might need to explain a 'fax' to our younger members ?

 

[Mr. DS]

People who call up requesting I fax something and give me the wrong fax number.  Usually they call up wondering why they didn't receive their fax.  Then I get into a p!ssing contest over whether or not they gave me the right number.  Um hello there, I read it back for you twice. 

You might need to explain a 'fax' to our younger members ?

 

Gather round kids.  You see back in a land before time there was a thing called a Fax machine...

[ulthar]

More vehicle mayhem:

Calvin urinating on < insert logo >

A testicle filled scrotum hanging from a bumper or trailer hitch.


Really. These are just examples of our trend toward the lowest and basest behavior...what happened to class and decorum in public?

[Mr. DS]

More vehicle mayhem:

Calvin urinating on < insert logo >

Dude totally!  I think I may have brought this up somewhere in the thread but I can't remember.  Yeah, you'll really show all Jeff Gordon and Yankees fans by having Calvin urinate on their logo/number.   

[The Gravekeeper]

The former.

Ditto. But I don't much care for anyone who becomes that obsessed with anything.

[El Misfit]

People who call up requesting I fax something and give me the wrong fax number.  Usually they call up wondering why they didn't receive their fax.  Then I get into a p!ssing contest over whether or not they gave me the right number.  Um hello there, I read it back for you twice. 

You might need to explain a 'fax' to our younger members ?

 

Gather round kids.  You see back in a land before time there was a thing called a Fax machine...

I know what a fax machine is, we have one.

[indianasmith]

Now Indy is going to say that he has a fish on his car with both "JESUS" and a cross on it, and I'm going to feel all chagrined.  

I have two bumper stickers on my car.  One says "Fire Nancy Pelosi"  (now thankfully obsolete).  The other simply says:  "Peace, Love, Artifacts."

Now, my old Silver Bullet - an 88 Subaru Station Wagon - was largely held together by bumper stickers.  Among the gems I displayed there:

"I'd rather be historically accurate than politically correct!"
"Do Not Wash.  Car is undergoing a scientific dirt experiment."
"Drive any closer and I'll flick a booger on your windshield."

There were others, but those three were my favorites.