The 5 Unwritten Rules of Car Show Etiquette – Jalopnik

It turns out that good manners don’t just apply to visiting that one aunt’s house, where you’re not allowed to touch anything and coasters must be used at all times, without exception. Manners can also be helpful at car shows. And just like your aunt requires you to take off your shoes before you walk in the door, car exhibitors would prefer that you behave a certain way too, even if they may not say so directly. However, these unwritten rules mean nothing special. It is mainly about attention and respect for other people and their property.

For example, the owners of these shows would love for you to come and look at their cars, but most of them aren’t keen on you touching their cars. That’s fair, because you don’t want your fingerprints getting all over a new wax job or scratching someone’s paint. If you bring the children, make sure they understand this rule and that you supervise them at all times. It is also appreciated if you do not eat, drink or smoke near the cars for obvious reasons. Ask permission before taking a selfie with a car and posting it to Instagram. Most owners won’t mind, but it’s best to be sure. It’s also best to keep any negative opinions about a car to yourself while you’re looking at it, even if it’s a car you no longer see at car shows. Exhibitors have feelings too.

Admittedly, some exhibitors are more relaxed than others. Some will even let you sit in the car if you’re nice enough. You’ll want to ask first before you do something like that. But for the most part, it’s best to admire the vehicle with your eyes only. You’ll want to be so discreet that even one of those CSI teams on TV wouldn’t be able to tell you were there.

Pay particular attention to rings, watches and other accessories you have with you. These objects can scratch the car’s paint. So be careful if you have jewelry. You actually want to behave the same way you would in a museum. You don’t touch the paintings and the old pottery, no matter how much you like them.

Now imagine you’re a classic car owner who’s just spent thousands of dollars painting, restoring, cleaning and detailing your classic hot rod, only to find a distracted parent with a bunch of clingy little people in tow. So try not to get offended if you are the parent and your children get nervous looks from the exhibitors.

And to be clear: we have nothing against children. Some of our best friends even tell us that they were children at some point in their lives. So we’re not saying that you shouldn’t take the little ones with you. We believe that they should be introduced to the car world at an early age, so that they can share your enthusiasm. And car shows are much better for that than a lot of the crap kid car content on YouTube. Keep a close eye on them and make sure they are very familiar with the ‘look, don’t touch’ rule.

It’s best to eat that giant powdered pretzel near the food trucks, and make sure you clean your hands thoroughly before looking at the cars. The same goes for soda or those fruit-flavored frozen drink concoctions. The last thing you want is to spill your Coke Zero on the custom upholstery of a beautifully restored 50-year-old car. Soda isn’t great for an exterior painting job either.

It’s not about eating or drinking, but we should also mention smoking here. If you are a smoker, believe us when we tell you that your non-smoking friends are not exaggerating when they mention the smell. That smell easily penetrates the car upholstery and fabrics and lingers forever. It can be difficult to get out, which is why used car dealers will list that a vehicle was owned by a non-smoker. It is very easy to tell if the previous owner smoked in the car. So put out that cigarette before visiting the vehicles.

Most exhibitors know that you want to take photos and are okay with that. After all, they are exhibiting at a car show. Some, on the other hand, are a bit funny about it. The respectful thing to do in any situation is to ask permission. This goes double if you plan to post the photo on your socials. And let’s be honest: what other reason is there to shoot these days? If the owner has a business or social media presence related to their car, they may see it as an opportunity for free promotion, but never pursue it. You don’t want to lean on the car or lie over it to pose, no matter how cool you think you’ll look.

Also keep in mind that others are taking photos. They usually only take a few seconds to take a photo, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to stay out of the way. Of course, it’s different when they get off the tripod and do a whole photo shoot or record a YouTube video. Reasonable content creators understand that the world doesn’t stop, especially in public places, just because they have to produce a video.

You come across cars where you think the owners have made questionable choices. It may insult your soul to see a vintage Corvette painted the color of Pepto Bismol. Alternatively, you may come across a car that makes you wonder if they had to push it onto the trailer because it doesn’t look like it could get there under its own power. It’s generally best to keep these thoughts to yourself. Expressing negative opinions within earshot of the owner may be considered rude. But do you know what car owners like to hear? Ask about their cars. So, if you feel comfortable, start a conversation with them about their baby. Remember, everyone is there to have a good time.

Here’s the thing about car show etiquette: You don’t have to memorize a long list of rules. It just comes down to common sense, but also being polite and respectful. As long as we all do that, everyone will have fun. And while you’re at it, check out our roundup of some Midwest car shows from the ’80s and ’90s.