As ignorant auslander I don't understand the local cultural quirks. Is it a fashion faux pas to wear sunglasses for driving? Are they reserved to mountain hikes above the clouds and cocktail sipping in a hot beach? So, any idea why the locals use hands as sun visors instead of more practical sunglasses?
The weather was perfect and I just took a fun drive in Jura and some highway km. For me, sunglasses for driving are almost like the seat belt, muscles have simply memorized the movement. During my drive I noticed people suffers with the sun just a bit above the horizon. Of course, it bothers and it's unsafe. So, some drivers make funny faces while squinting, more adventurous drivers even use one hand as sun visor, but no one uses damned sunglasses.
Just wait. We have to get used to the sunshine again.
Sunglasses?
Can't remember where I last had em.
this resonates... I have pale blue eyes (linger on...).. and have always thought that I'm a bit more sensitive to bright light than 'normal' and almost always wear sunglasses when there are no clouds in the sky
other drivers squinting does annoy me
almost as much as drivers who sit too low and are peering 'over' their steering wheel.. that really grinds my gears...
Even in winter the sun is too strong sometimes, either because it's too bright or the angle. So, are they not in the car in an easily reachable place such as the door storage? I might be just another weird foreigner
Anything that is not as you do it in a country you don't come from is generally a cultural quirk?
LOL. Somehow your post makes me wish you'd concentrate on the road a bit more.
I have sunglasses in the car, ready to grab any time. I used to wear them even in fog (yellos glasses in those circumstances). Interestingly, since I had my eyes lasered, I can stand a lot stronger sunshine than before and hardly ever wear sunglasses anymore.
My mom never use to wear sunglasses despite spending a LOT of time in the sun, and now she has a degenerative retina because of it and can't see out of that eye very well.
I was looking out the window yesterday, while it was sunny, and found myself feeling a bit blinded afterward because it was so bright outside. I guess it had been so long since I saw sunlight that my eyes weren't use to it anymore.
Might be in one of the cars. But too lazy to go look at the moment. Besides it's dinner time.
The only thing that makes me nervous are drivers who don't sit comfortably but hunch over the steering wheel, glued to the windshield and squinting nervously. With or without shades.
I only like driving on empty roads.
I'm photophobic, so I never venture outdoors without my sunglasses. I even keep a spare pair in the glove compartment, as I can't imagine driving without them.
My regular specs are photochromatic, but even when darkened they don't block enough sun for daylight driving - nope, need heavy duty sunglasses.
Low winter sun can be absolutely blinding here so along with the sun specs there is always a spare brimmed hat in the car. Does the job better than the car visor.
Did I mention I'm photophobic?
Same here Melon- never go out without my sunglasses, and have sunglasses adjusted for my driving/skiing vision.
It is a cultural quirk because people buys all the equipment money can buy. This is a condition mostly men suffer: there's a right tool for every job and it's pissing contest. Guys love to tell you there's a better way to do any task with a more specialized or even exotic tool that you're already using.
I go jogging with sneakers, shorts and a t-shirt. When it's cold a sweatshirt. Look at the others: compression socks, tights, layers, caps, sports food and sometimes even glasses. Visit any home, full of stuff in the kitchen it's rarely used but it has an special application. One you consider that the mainstream culture is having lot's of stuff aimed at specialized tasks......it's quirky that something as basic as sunglasses is not there.
Don't worry about me being parrochial, I'll wait for when the bar opens and ask the voluntary firefighter. One of these guys that spends half his income in gear , and boasts about it, and ask about this quirk
Therefore with adaptable cruise control and lane assist you can do away with the sunglasses and read a book while driving.
I wear glasses. In the car I have Polaroid clip-on sunglasses. Particularly good in Switzerland where there are plenty of tunnels - I just flick them up as I enter.
They are apparently quite cool now too...
Not sure which "guys" you know, but I'd be willing to bet not many Australians.
A typical Aussie toolbox has a hammer, two screwdrivers (one #2 phillips, one flat), a shifter (aka shifting spanner to the "fancy", but never a monkey wrench in Australia), a 10mm/12mm double-ended ring spanner, a saw, a drill with five bits, a Stanley knife, a can of WD-40, and a roll of duct tape. If you need anything else, you improvise or make what you need ... or grab a stick.
Also, the Aussie tradesman's creed: If it's a bit tight, don't force it ... get a bigger hammer!
Oh, as for sunglasses - I tend to not need them. Unless the road conditions force me to look directly at the Sun (which I don't do, because severe eye damage!) then I can see without even squinting. Might be genetic, getting back to my distant ancestors (on my mother's side - my dad has extreme light sensitivity, as does one of my sisters).
I have exotic tools (various cam holders, dial gauges, degree wheels, four sizes of torque wrenches, etc.), but also a bunch that I've made myself, some even out of wood!
I have far less than the shop manuals say that I need, actually.
Tom
You get the attitude about hoarding tools and gear That's why it curious that squinting and uncomfortable driving is not solved with damned sunglasses.
I wear quite chunky plastic frame glasses and don't fancy damaging mine with a clip on thing. Plus, I keep losing the damn things anyway, since I don't have my own car, they would have to live in a "things I need when driving" kit and that never materialises.
I did have some prescription sunglasses made but having the lenses in made them fit different to when I tried them on in the shop and they are super uncomfortable despite several attempts at fixing this. Plus, changing light conditions with tunnels etc. would have me removing them and putting on my others.
Yes, contact lenses seem like the obvious answer, however, I can't wear them regularly on account of having chronic dry eyes. On sunny days where I plan to do a lot of driving, I wear lenses but as soon as the sun sets, I practically rip them out to put my glasses back on. Yes, I've tried all the eye drops and all the lenses.
Sounds like you've just joined the geranium police, bothering about complete strangers' non-problems and "solving" them for them. And of course your position is the only one that could possibly be correct.
I'm not judging or solving problems. I just asked if there's some social attitude or norm against sunglasses because it takes some effort to not use them. If I'm breaking an unwritten social rule, at least I want to enjoy it.