Dear Tom and Ray:
If a mechanic is not wearing a wedding ring, is that a true indication of his marital status? I think my mechanic is HOT, but I'm wondering if he doesn't wear a ring because working on cars would destroy it. Depending on your response to the ring issue, I'm also concerned that if he took me up on a date offer, but found he didn't really like me, I'd be out an awesome mechanic. What do you think? Should I go out on a limb and risk losing both my pride and my great mechanic?
-- Rachel
Tom: Absolutely! You can't pass up the possibility of a lifetime of happiness just because you might have to find a new mechanic!
Ray: How about an evening of happiness?
Tom: That would be a tossup.
Ray: You're right about the ring, though. Most mechanics don't wear wedding rings when they work. Mostly because it's unsafe.
Tom: A ring can get caught on things under the hood. And then, when you need to yank your hand away quickly to avoid getting your fingers chopped off by a moving fan blade, you can be in big trouble, like the guy at our shop we call "Ocho."
Ray: The other reason mechanics don't wear rings is because they get all
scuffed and banged up from working on cars. Most of us take them off when we get to work, and put them in a safe place in our toolboxes.
Tom: I've got a whole drawer full of wedding rings in my toolbox.
Ray: So, you need a different way to determine whether your HOT mechanic
is available, Rachel. Here's what I'd do ...
Tom: Does it involve deception?
Ray: Of course! Tell him you've been hearing a little creaking noise when you go over speed bumps. Tell him it's been worrying you. And when he reassures you that it's nothing serious, just a creaky bushing or something, you say, "So, you'd feel safe letting your wife drive this car?"
Tom: And if he says, "Well, I don't have a wife," then you say, "OK, would you feel safe letting your girlfriend drive this car?"
Ray: And if he says, "I don't have a girlfriend," you say, "Want one?"
(Car Talk is a nationally syndicated column by automotive experts (and brothers) Tom and Ray Magliozzi. Write to them at the Car Talk Web site.)
4 Comments
By Carla H on May 3, 2009 8:41 AM
this is one of the best Q&A from the Car Talk guys, ever! (not to discount the great advice on REAL issues they usually cover)
but yeah. Sweet :-)
By Miki Moto on May 3, 2009 9:30 PM
This is THE BEST question EVER posted here. There are some Master Tech's out there that are uuber hot! How do I know this? I married one! Uh huh! (but I didn't use that cheezy line - ha! ha!)
By Kat on May 4, 2009 1:52 PM
Dating advice from two Real guys - I love it!! Who knew reading NW Autos would be so beneficial!?!?
By dave on May 7, 2009 9:44 AM
Great Advice. Everything about life involves risk. If this gal feels that strongly about her mechanic why not take that chance and your advice in how to ferret out her coveted information was right on.
There is nothing wrong with probing with a strategic use of words.Recently , I told an office lady I bet her boyfriend tells her often how beautiful her eyes are as they are very defined and something I am sure most people notice right away.
She told me actually her divorce was final last month and she is just getting back into the dating scene.
We are going on our second date this weekend.
I risked her reacting negatively that I got that out of some old 1950s pick up line book and hit pay dirt.Not that i didnt mean it.She has these jade green eyes and they are simply delicious.
All women like to be told their eyes are beautiful and I did well on my risk/reward gamble.
So kudos to you guys to tell that gal to go for her mechanic if he is available.Hope she writes back and lets us know whether your advice was a success..Happy endings are too rare these days.
Keep up the good work.