Please Stop Climbing into My Black Toyota Camry
Originally published in The Higgs Weldon in 2017, sometime around the summer, boy that feels like so long ago
Driving in New York City is not easy. There are endless distractions: constant traffic, streets full of crazed drivers, construction, pedestrians everywhere, and overzealous cops with quotas to fill. When I drive I have to be present and completely focused, which is why it would be a great help if people stopped trying to get into the back of my new Toyota Camry looking for rides.
The first time it happened I was startled, but I understood — my car happened to look like one sent by a car service. The second time I figured maybe my license plate is close to that of a commercial driver’s who was on a route in the area. But the third time, come on, not everyone who drives a black compact sedan is available to chauffeur you around.
I get it, lots of Uber, Lyft, and other independent cab drivers have similar looking cars; that’s not out of obligation, rather it’s because hard-working people trying to make an honest living tend to buy affordable, reliable, non-flashy cars. Try finding a new car with an MSRP under $22,000 with mileage as good as the Camry’s. You won’t find one, that’s why we all have them. Look at more than the shape and color of the car before you decide it’s there for you — there are clues…
