the trucker stereotype

I hate to cretique this fine conversation, but being an open florum here it comes. Hobbypassion,the boys may look bad but drive a mile in thier shoes. MooseTek I love your perspective on "The Living." Rerun you live in the wrong decade, you have heart but the the wrong year.Paddletruucker,sad to say,stick with "Tom Sawyer" Krooser I like what you have to say," We do what we have to do."And Texas Nanna, God love you, because life isn't aways what you believe it's supposed to be. Bottom line is that "You drive for a living" now if you prefer to live like a sailor or have a little common respect is your call.

 

I'm still trying to figure out which is the correct stereotype?

Is it the Elvis I keep seeing or the Family Guy or the small Peewee Herman wearing cowboy boots and a cowboy hat or the one who's whole wardrobe that comes from TA and Petro? Maybe it's BJ and the Bear. That's it, I need a monkey.

I get tickled at some of the people I see trying to stereotype someone. I'm just me, someone who loves to drive in this century and not the last one. You either keep up with the times or become an old fart that complains how it use to be!

 

I was always taught to not judge a book by its cover.

 

Wicked! You have to remember,"Different Strokes For Different Folks", that is what has made the trucking industry survive. I, myself get totally decusted over the schoolboy mentality that they can drive like cabdrivers. Back in the day,when you drove a 225 Cummin's on roads that weren't interstates yet,Yes schoolboys the highway system wasn't all interstate highway road. Bottom line, someone had to deliever the product. The most intelligent friends I have are long haired with beards that have walked a mile dealing with the BS this fine country has to deliver.

 

I started driving a truck as soon as I got out of the Army.
Paid my way thru 4 years of college by driving a truck.
The other things I did in the middle, but always come back home to driving. This job/ lifestyle/attitude is something that grows on you with time.
I love my job, and love to talk to others about it.
Thus this forum.
If people are really interested in getting into this field I try to do what many others on here do, and give them accurate information about what it is they are getting into.
Oh, and yes.....I can be rather humble at times LOL.
You cannot let life, or work break you. If you keep a positive attitude then you are one step ahead.
It helps allot with shippers and receivers. Be respectful, and have a smile for all.

 

Here's my 2 cents i for one, try to uphold a good standard for myself, i keep my hair neat and short, and keep a short trimmed and neat goatee.i keep myself in decent shape,as well as wear clean clothes, (not harley davidson, or t/s clothing) i try to treat everyone with respect, yes ma'am and sir goes a long way with people, if everyone learned self respect,and disipline!!!(8 years in us army taught me) as well as respect for others it would be a good start to turning around our image, i've been in this industry since 1984, and to this day ,people i meet for the first time doesn't guess i'm a "truck driver" it starts with yourself . Take pride in you, and then you can have people respect you better!! Ok i'm off my box now lol

 

I don't say 'sir' and 'ma'am' all that much, but people know when I respect them - and when I don't - even so. I am always polite, unless I am being stomped on. Then it is dog eat dog - and I can be a very determined dog, to say the least.

I guess I'll fall into a few of the typical stereotypes, some more than others. But I'll always try to put forth the best that I can, within my own personal limitations.

 

Heh,now I get the double whammy,30 years of living with the biker stereotype and now I have this to deal with.
Oh well at least I'm used to it lol.