Sandy, 22 from Airdrie, Alberta writes…

Me and my boyfriend have been steady for close to 3 years. He has had two different cars during those years, and is now interested in buying another. My problem is he always buys gas guzzling sports cars with big engines, and I don‘t agree with this. When he told me about the high performance car he was seriously considering this time, I told him I was uncomfortable with his decision because the car is an environmental abomination. He won’t take me seriously, and no matter what I say it has no influence on what he wants to buy. I do my part by recycling and other conscious decisions, I think he should be thoughtful of his environmental footprint too, but he has shown no interest in caring no matter how many times I bring it up. How can I persuade him to make the right decision?

Dr Thatslife has this to say….

Oh pull out the violin why don’t you? The guy is obviously a motor head and fast cars are his hobby, why don’t you leave the fucking guy alone? I’d LOVE to see your lack luster half baked list of environmental efforts. Lots of talk and “consciousness” with next to zero achievements under your belt. Oh look, you recycle your pop bottles, WOW! Installed a low flush toilet? Holy shit Batman! Bought a compact car with the power of a windup toy (because you couldn‘t afford a better one)? Whoop-dee-doo Sandy. You‘re my fucking hero.

You may think you’re some champion savoir of the planet – but I bet the shirt off my back you do fuck all for the environment beyond whatever has the least amount of impact to your personal comfort and convenience. If you really did what it took to make a considerable difference, you’re life wouldn’t even REMOTELY resemble its current form. The changes would be so radical you’d be sucking your thumb, crying yourself to sleep each night. Companies want you to think that just because you bought their “reduced packaging” clothes detergent or bought an Energy Star big screen TV that the world has been saved, but they’re all empty gestures that amount to a spectacular cavalcade of bullshit. What I mean by all this Sandy, is if you’re going to be pestering and imposing on others about your supposed views, walk the fucking walk.

I find it fascinating the only effort you can attest to doing is recycling, something everyone has been doing for the past 20-something years. Farts from the cows that hectares of land had been clear-cut for that make up those burgers you shovel into your gullet harm the world just as much or more than whatever car your boyfriend decides to buy and cruise around with.

“How can I persuade him”? Persuade him with what? Dangle the idea of some hack car with a hairdryer engine he can show off to all his car enthusiast friends? Wow, great… you really know how to let a guy enjoy his youth and manhood. I can just imagine the other ways you impede on his enjoyment. Not every guy has the privilege of a hobby they’re passionate about; DON’T give him the guilt trip on what makes him happy. You live in a small town, I can’t imagine there’s much (if anything) to do, don’t take away what keeps his sanity. Otherwise you’ll end up with one grumpy motherfucker – and rightfully so. Can I be any clearer on this Sandy? Leave him the fuck alone.

If you want to go on an environmental crusade, that is fine, I respect that. But just like religious nuts, you can’t force your views on others. You have no right to. They will make the decisions that you were allowed to make at your own time, on their own. Wow, I feel a lot better after that tirade.

That’s life.