Her: "God, I TOLD you to.." Him: "B*tch, I'm fixin' it!"
I’ve always said it. Relationships are like cars. How, you ask? Very simple, lemme break it down for ya! 
So you finally decide that it’s time you get a car. You save up, do the research and figure out what model you want. No detail is overlooked, from the color, to the engine size, the credibility of the brand and the overall smoothness of how it drives. So you take yourself to the shop and test-drive your ideal vehicle. Once you are pleased, you make the decision to commit in financing or leasing this automobile, or if your paper is stacked like that, you may even be able to purchase it on the spot.
The first few months, you do what you need to in taking care of this prized possession. You get your quarterly oil changes, maybe even detailed here and there and keep it spic and span clean. But as time goes on, you slowly get wrapped up in everyday life and now you are not maintaining the car as much as you once did. You take the trusty and trued car for granted in hopes that it will still carry you from point A to point B (even though you know you haven’t gotten an oil change in almost 2 yrs, never mind any types of annual maintenance). Soon this once beautiful car that meant so much to you, has devalued even quicker than you imagined until it’s just a heap of metal put-putting through life until the day it conks out on you.
Guess what? Same goes for your relationship. This isn’t just simplified to love-relationships. This goes for friendships and family as well. When you don’t cherish your relationship and make an effort to maintain it…it will fall apart. How many times have we seen lovers split because of claims that “He stopped doing what he used to do” and “She doesn’t take care of herself like she used to”? How many times have we seen friendships fall apart because one person made more of an effort to reach out, while the other party involved couldn’t return a phone call? I call it a lack of caring in general. If we had the foresight to see that our car would give out on us smack dab on the middle of a highway in the freezing winter, most of us would have taken care of the issue right than and there. But nooooo….instead, we hope and pray that even though we have done absolutely nothing to assure the dependability of this vehicle, it will still take us to where we want to go with no issues.
Relationships with one another cannot exist happily this way. I’ve seen friends who have purchased a new car and got it taken away from them in the same year from being straight reckless. While some have had their auto for over 10 yrs and did the annual maintenance to ensure it would last a long time. Heck, some people even cry when they have to purchase a new one as their old car was valued so much to them.
All in all, people and items are completely two different things, but I’m sure that for those who put so much effort into shining and upgrading their latest ride, put the same love and care into the people that mean something to them, they would see there can be nothing but smooth cruising for the long road ahead.
14 Comments, Comment or Ping
lincolnanthonyblades
Ladies & Gentlemen, Do You Agree Relationships And Cars Is A Proper Analogy? If Not, What's A More Apropos One?
Also, What Are Some Things Necessary To Maintaining Successful Relationships?
Jan 20th, 2012
Jason
As I always say, damn even said it here a time or two… If your car (relationship) has you on the bus (fighting) more then driving, time to get a new damn car (relationship). Analogy fits to a point… Many cars don't last and you get a new one, some last a life time but it takes a hell of a lot of care. Some find their old baby and restore it later in life, etc…
Jan 20th, 2012
NurseJilly
Great post Susan!!
Jan 20th, 2012
lincolnanthonyblades
Co-Sign!
Jan 20th, 2012
Kam
"How many times have we seen friendships fall apart because one person made more of an effort to reach out, while the other party involved couldn’t return a phone call? I call it a lack of caring in general."
This right here is why I don't hesitate to cut a friend off. Some people like to abuse friendships by using their friends at their connivence.
Great Post.
Jan 20th, 2012
Paul B.
Great post. I find myself using car analogies a lot too. Unfortunately, just as not all cars are made equally, so are relationships. You can't treat an Acura, Benz, or Lexus like a Kia or a Ford, and if you have a Ford mentality trying to drive a Benz, you'll be on the bus permanently. If you complain about the work and price of the upkeep for it, you simply aren't ready for it. Stick to your lane.
Jan 20th, 2012
Tudor
Well sometimes it's best to test drive a different brand. How will you know how the Honda drives if you don't give it a try. Those things go for ever! You may be surprised. Who wants to lose their mind wondering how they're going to buy the parts to fix it. Name isn't everything.
Jan 22nd, 2012
Amanda Scott
Exactly what I was gonna write too! Great point
Jan 23rd, 2012
Independent Woman
THANK YOU SUSAN!
Jan 23rd, 2012
ATLienSince82
My fav poster Susan! More pics! lol
Jan 23rd, 2012
Michelle
Love the post but for some reason this seems like a gold digger bible lol
This speaks to me lol
Great post btw!
Jan 23rd, 2012
Mabl
I think that relating relationships and cars is perfect . . . maybe too perfect. What do you say for that person that loves to lease? Or always wants the next model (a la Kelsey Grammer)? You can be a great lease owner, taking care of a car (relationship) so well that when you drive it back to the lot it's almost better than it was when you first got your hands on it. What happens when the car is a person? There are people that roll like that cherish, cherish, cherish . . . then BOOM! they need to trade. I don't have any theories, just throwing it out there.
I think cherish was the best word to summarize how you take care of things you want to last. A lot of people don't realize that friends and lovers need to be cherished as much as mom's, baby sis, and their offspring (some unfortunates don't even realize those people need to be cherished!)
Jan 23rd, 2012
J.P.
I was thinking the same thing.
Jan 24th, 2012
msjordan11
lol my gosh…anyone who knows me knows that I'm the furthest thing from a gold-digger so in no means did I mean that people need to gifted with valuables in order for a relationship to last. I simply meant, that you need to put in the time and value into something you cherish in order for something positive to come out of it.
Jan 28th, 2012
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