Confession
I have a confession to make to all of you. I just hope that you can find it in your hearts to forgive me.
My confession is….
I have a French car.
Yes, I, Dave, have a French car. The same Dave that constantly shows my distaste for the French attitude to Israel, Jews, the US -in fact the world at large. The same Dave that makes fun of the French “culture.” The hypocrisy of it all! SHAME ON ME!
But if the truth be known, I bought the car almost three years ago, before my disdain for (almost) all things French had fully evolved. The car – a Citroen Xsara – met all my requirements for a car – safe, affordable, and stylish. It seemed like the logical choice.
However, the car has caused us great distress over the past few years. In short, the car battery dies every morning, unless you disconnect it the night before! How is that for inconvenient? To make matters worse, we discovered this just after the warranty for electrical-related work on the car had run out.
Then, a few days, ago, even after connecting the battery, the car would simply not start. At all. I was convinced it had been reading my blog, and decided to stop working for a French-mocking Jew. But I knew this was not possible..after all, the car has no access to a computer, and does not know my URL.
So my wife took the car to the garage, and it was discovered that the starter had blown. The mechanic (whom we trust) told us that when this happens with most cars, the whole engine is rendered useless. He praised the Xsara, saying that the damage was relatively minor, and that, although Citroen is generally not known to be a good brand, the Xsara is a very good car. He also told us that the problem of the dying battery is related to the car alarm, and not the car. He then slapped us with a $600 bill.
The moral of the story? Cars do not read blogs.
And if you are still disappointed in me for having a French car, I redeemed myself when I chose a Ford Focus as my new company car, over the more stylish, safer and larger Renault Megane.
Filed Under: My Charmed Life
About the Author: An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.
When I visited Israel last year I noted there were a LOT of Citroens! And I mean, *everywhere* I looked I saw one! I remember thinking it was odd because I think I have only ever seen one maybe ONCE in my life here in Canada, and that was a good 20 years ago.
Hi David
Mazol tov on the new car.
I have a Megan, but I wish i could exchange it with a Ford. You made the right choice.
BTW. Have You FlexiPik’d Today?(:-)
Mr F. Pik,
That is twice in two days I have been blessed with your presence. We should get together at some point.
How is Herzliya life treating you?
Ford?
Henry Ford was a bad an anti-semite as they come. Prior to WWII he was responsible for the dissemination of the ‘Protoclas of the Elders of Zion’ in the US. B’nau Brith took him to court and forced him to withdraw his support for the text. But the damage was done.
Also the Ford Foundation was responsible for funding a lot of the anti-Israel hate literature distributed at the Durban S.S. hate fest.
Point taken, Harry, except I do not believe that the Ford motor company can still be held accountable for their founder’s actions. The French, on the other hand, are still acting despicably.
I was reciting history, not advocating any one choice or other. In fact, during WW2, the Ford dealership next to my Dad’s kosher butcher shop gave him some extra consideration in keeping his car going so he could make deliveries.
Dave,
You said,
“Point taken, Harry, except I do not believe that the Ford motor company can still be held accountable for their founder’s actions.”
Unfortunately, the Ford Foundation (with lots of money from Ford), provides money to Palestinian NGOs that are openly rabid Anti-Israel/Anti-semitic.