my, what babes in the woods this week's crop are!

first, we have "jealous", the boy who writes with a distinctly feminine voice, so in touch with his feelings. but i ask, "jealous"? of what? of not having a biological mother who spends no time with him? this letter makes no sense. apparently, college students today are not merely "confused" but stupid as well.

second, we have "tape", the young condominium owner who hasn't the courage or social grace to speak to his neighbor. he and his neighber seem to be of the mind: yours is yours, and mine is mine. apparently lost on both of these young people is the notion that condominium ownership means common areas, which means share and share alike, which means joint and mutual cooperation, which means communication, which means tact, diplomacy and respect. who raised these two mindless animals?

third, we have "cinderella". gracious me! a princess in our midst! pardon, your highness, criticism shall cease at once. with no detail as to the kind of "hypercriticality", one must wonder whether perhaps princess actually deserved the criticism or whether perhaps princess feels entitled to that to which she is not entitled. it is not my intent to suggest that mistreatment is okay. nor is it my intent to victimize a victim. that said, it is also entirely possible that princess doesn't do as good a job as she thinks she does.

fellow readers, i am certain you have noticed that i have skipped over "scooter". i save her for last because i find more sympathy for her as she lays out her case plainly as economical. even so, one could suppose an overbearing husband, or one could suppose a husband who knows his wife. why, just this morning, i watched a woman talking on her mobile phone park her vehicle across two parking spaces. in other words, "scooter" may be a terrible driver and would therefore likely be an even worse motorcyclist. and while she alleges economic sensibilities, her real reason could be vanity. after all, she doesn't want a scooter. she wants a vespa. and aren't vespas just the cutest rides?

prudence must feel generous today, or i am being stingy. nevertheless...

yours truly,
nanny

re Scooter Mama: no, there is no economic logic. See my calculation in another thread. It would take her 40 years to break even at current prices.

thank you for sharing your fiscal analysis. and of course, "scooter" would break even much sooner if she exchanged her automobile for a scooter. and of course, most people do nothing of the sort. you've firmed in my mind the idea that "scooter" wants to do this out of vanity.

yours truly,
nanny

marcparis:

re Scooter Mama: no, there is no economic logic. See my calculation in another thread. It would take her 40 years to break even at current prices.

It might not payoff in the short term money wise, but anything we all can do to reduce our gas usage & emissions is a good thing.

Well, the reason the bike is not free is that it uses resources. Gas and emissions are not the only environmental concerns. An unnecessary scooter is wasteful too. And the cost analysis is proof of that.

Exactly. How much energy does it take to produce the scooter? I would not be surprised if the shipping of the scooter from Italy to her home consumed a good deal of any potential savings.

She just thinks it would be cool to be on a scooter in Rome with Gregory Peck. I know I do.

Oh, wow, the LW wants a Vespa! Well, obviously she's EVIL!!!!! Now, if she wanted a Jag or a Ferrari or a big honking Hummer, that'd be alright. But a VESPA? Just who does she think she is, anyway?

Sheesh. Somebody's been taking their grouchy pills, that's for sure.

Marc, I haven't seen your analysis. However, I do agree that getting a scooter to go 3 miles is probably not fiscally responsible. Sure, she'd use less gas, especially if her other vehicle is some tank like a Hummer or Durango.

She'd have to buy the scooter, She probably won't want to trade in her car. She have extra insurance on the scooter. Unless she already has a license and gear, she'll need a helmet (at a minimum) and lessons before she gets a license.

I considered a scooter once, too, but decided that what I'd be saving in gas was far outstripped by the expenses involved. Especially since I already had an economical car to begin with. Also, in bad weather (rain, ice, just plain freezing, strong wind) I'd want to go in my enclosed car anyway, to avoid having to take a change of clothes with me every day (adding to my laundry expense.)

catseye:

Oh, wow, the LW wants a Vespa! Well, obviously she's EVIL!!!!! Now, if she wanted a Jag or a Ferrari or a big honking Hummer, that'd be alright. But a VESPA? Just who does she think she is, anyway?

Sheesh. Somebody's been taking their grouchy pills, that's for sure.

No, she's not evil, and it's not because she wants a Vespa. Let her say to her husband: "I really want a scooter, I think they're cool, I love the way I feel on one. I know they're less safe than a car, but I'll mitigate those risks."

Instead of which she makes up some BS about wanting to save gas.

If saving gas were the only concern, then she should get a hybrid car like the prius. Unlike a scooter, these can be used in the rain without getting thoroughly soaked.