Travelling Storage: The Birth of the 'Cardrobe'
It’s the future I tell you
On my recent searches through the mysterious world of the internet, I came across an interesting UK survey that was released by insurance company ‘1st Central’ which appears to suggest that we are entering a whole new world; the world of the ‘Cardrobe’. It does not take a master of lexicography to realise that what I am referring to is using your car for storage purposes. Of course, using your car for such reasons is no new phenomenon, but the results suggest a serious surge in popularity. Considering the usual vigour I often possess when I throw myself into the dazzling world of ‘car-culture’, it is time to unleash my brain on this little wonder!
Firstly, let’s take a look at these stats:
- 47% of people leave clothes in their car all the time
- 1.8 million people use their car to hide things from their partner (often expensive items)
- 682,000 people leave something belonging to their ex in their car because they can’t stand throwing it away
- Men are twice as likely as women to hide something from their partners in their car
- Men are more likely to leave sports equipment in their car
- There is an estimated £1 billion worth of football boots stored on people’s driveways
- 18% of people cannot drive without driving gloves (20% 18-24 year olds), most likely due to celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Rihanna being photographed wearing them
- Some interesting items often found in cars include: feather boas, rubber gloves, gas masks and tutus!
Straight off the bat, it would appear the best way to check to see if your other half is being unfaithful is to have a look in their car. Who knows what manner of evidence you may discover? You never know, you might even find that photo of them and their ex-partner that they just couldn’t bring themselves to get rid of, because that trip to the beach was just too special and too memorable!
On a similar note, if you think your loved one may be hiding a fancy gift for you for birthdays, anniversaries or Christmas, you know where to look!
If as a result of this article being published there is a significant increase in the number of domestic arguments and relationships coming to an end, I said nothing. This wasn’t me. Blame the survey!
Now this data has been published, I will say as a word of warning, perhaps move your expensive sports equipment out of your car. Now the world knows of the potential value stored in our cars with, lets be honest, easily breakable windows… Well, you know where I am going with this! Do remember, these things are not necessarily covered in your car insurance. The windows may be repaired, but the contents will be lost forever!
The results of this survey has also given me the perfect excuse for some automotive based propoganda to slyly insert into popular culture. Considering the rise in driving gloves as an example, why don’t we pay Rihanna and Lady Gaga to I dont know, be seen WEARING A SEATBELT and actively NOT TALKING ON THEIR PHONES or even PAYING THEIR INSURANCE. If they can make driving gloves popular, the driving possibilities are endless! Lady Gaga can improve road and driving safety, because after all, she was born this way…
But on a more serious note, the ramifications of leaving so much in your car can be costly, in more ways than one. As I said before, car insurance only covers the car, not the contents. And the more stuff you pile up in your car, the heavier it will become and the more fuel you will therefore need to use. And what does fuel cost? Money. At a time when money is not exactly growing on trees, do we really need to be spending more for no real reason.
If anything, the message to take away for this is to tidy your house a bit and find room for the contents of your cardrobe. Tidy house, tidy mind. Tidy house, emptier car. Emptier car, cheaper running. Cheaper running, more money. You see where I am going with this I am sure!
They may need a little clear out
As much as I may attempt to think logically and sensibly, car clutter, cardrobe, whatever you want to call it truly defines the character of your car. So many times in the past I have written about how cars are not just machines; they have their own culture, identity and personality. In my case, my car has a pair of walking boots in the back that never leave. I am aware I could take them out and only use them when I need them. On the back seat too lies a blanket. Why do I need a blanket in my car? I do not. Alas there it remains.
Without trying to get too philosophical here, the car is the extension of the self. It helps to define the identity of its driver. The possessions contained within such therefore hold great significance, even if just subconsciously. The football boots, my walking boots or even the cherished memory of a past relationship all comes together to reveal the true character. The car is after all a home from home. The commuter may well spend almost as much time in their car as they do in their own home. So why not transform your car into more of a living space?
It all makes sense really.
Maybe new cars should have wardrobes installed in them in the future. Or maybe they will be transformed into a fully habitable life pod. Like a house boat. A house car.
Not exactly what I mean but you get the idea!
Don’t forget to follow my antics on Twitter @lewisglynn69
Keep Driving People!
Peace and Love!
Level 2, 9 Help Street
Megan says:
My husband is notorious for leaving clothes and gear in the car. The worst one to date was when he forgot to remove the fishing bait – squid – from the boot after a fishing trip and it stayed there for a week. The smell lingered for months…
August 11th, 2015 at 6:36 am