Cruisin' Downriver etiquette tips
By Mike Schaffer, The News-Herald
All social gatherings have their dos and don’ts.
At dinner parties, you aren’t supposed to talk with your mouth full.
Neither are you supposed to go through your host’s medicine cabinet.
The same can be said for cruise nights and car shows which, like
other social gatherings, have their own set of rules to be followed.
One of the biggest no-nos at Cruisin’ Downriver is doing burnouts, or
hole shots, along Fort Street. Even though enthusiastic crowds may
encourage such activity, remember you are still driving on a public
street and local law enforcement will ticket you.
Also, keep in mind that those wanting to see you break the law likely
don’t have a hot rod of their own or they wouldn’t be sitting along the
side of the road.
Once you park your car and begin visiting one of the many car shows
set up along the Cruisin’ Downriver route, one of the first things to
remember is this rule: If it isn’t yours, don’t touch it without
permission.
Car owners that have traveled from near and far to Cruisin’ Downriver
have spent untold hours and large sums of money to get their vehicles to
look as perfect as they can.
Rings, bracelets, watches and other jewelry can and will scratch
paint.
Even a dirty hand run across a vehicle can scratch paint; if nothing
else, it will leave fingerprints.
The same can be said for belt buckles, zippers and even buttons on a
shirt. They can cause harm to a paint job.
Another rule: No eating or drinking near the vehicles. Soft drinks
and other beverages spilled onto paint aren’t a good thing, especially
on a hot summer day. Neither are mustard, ketchup or the like.
Carpet and interior surfaces soiled with liquids or food could be an
expensive to clean or replace, and at the very least require many hours
of work to properly clean.
Smoking is not only hazardous to your health, but it can be fatal to
a paint job or interior. Hot ashes can burn the paint in a matter of a
few short seconds.
Hot ashes from a cigarette dropped on carpeting or interior surface
will not only burn a hole in the surface, but if unnoticed, the hot
ashes could easily result in a fire.
Like any cruise night or car show, children should be included since
Cruisin’ Downriver is a family event. However, a close eye is necessary
to ensure that no harm comes to them or that they do not harm someone’s
vehicle. Also, be sure to dress children in bright colors so they do
not get lost in the crowds.
Pets are best left at home. An excited dog could easily cause great
damage to a vehicle.
Something you should do at Cruisin’ Downriver, or any cruise night or
car show, is ask questions. Most owners of vehicles love the
opportunity to talk about their pride and joy. |
