"In Loving Memory" stickers....

reaubideux · June 21st, 2011, 09:08 AM

At the risk of coming off as insensitive, I don't get why people put those "In loving memory...." stickers with the name and birth/death date of their friend or family member on their car. I just don't.

First and foremost, I'm genuinely sorry for the person's loss. This thread is not to make fun of anyone's death, how they died, or the type of person who does this. I respect the fact it's their car, their property, and they are, by all means, entitled to deal with the grief in what ever way helps them cope with the loss. With that said, why do people feel it necessary to plaster - in a somewhat tacky fashion, IMHO - this information on their car? How does it help them cope, if that truly is their reason for putting the sticker on their window?

I somewhat understood it when I first noticed the trend as it was usually the name/rank of a fallen soldier from Iraq or Afghanistan. That trend then grew from soldiers to firefighters or police officers - again, while I disagree with the notion, I respect the nobility in that they may have died protecting or serving us - but now it's just anyone who had a loved one die. Today I saw one for the dearly departed who was the tender, young age of 87.

Yes, again, I'm sorry your dad/grandpa died, but that tends to happen to people as they reach their twilight years. It's genuinely sad to see one for a young child, but again, I don't understand the need to create a mobile memorial out of your back window. What emotions are you trying to elicit from me while I'm sitting behind you at the red light? Why else would you advertise the dearly departed's demise (alliteration FTW!) if you weren't seeking to bring about some sort of response from strangers?

For me, death has always been a private, family matter. We gather, we grieve, we remember them in our own ways but in the end, they were part of our family and no one else needs to know that they're gone. The impact that person had should be shared amongst those who were touched by that person and not with the soccer mom walking back to her Excursion in the WalMart parking lot. Maybe I'm uptight in that I hold the passing of a loved one with a bit more reverence than those who feel the need to show "respect" by informing the general public via some cheap vinyl that they too have lost someone. I don't know if it's their craving for attention that compels them to do it, but no one's special in that regard, everyone loses someone near to them at some point in their life. I just don't get it.

For the "why do you care, it isn't hurting you" crowd, please save your breath (keystrokes). I'm very well aware that these stickers are not infringing on my personal well being in any way, shape, or form. Feel free to move along to the next thread.

CZroe · June 21st, 2011, 09:26 AM

I've been yelled at for mentioning this online too, but I approached it from a different angle. A dedication in memory of someone is supposed to dedicate someTHING in memory of someone. The message on the dedication itself is not supposed to be a stand-alone dedication.

Basically, people saw messages like "In loving memory of ____" on park benches, stained-glass windows, and other publicly accessible items and didn't realize that the item was dedicated "In loving memory of _____." They then decided to do what they thought was the same thing (monkey see, moneky do). Sometimes, it's explicitly stated: "Dedicated in memory of _____"

The worst one I remember was a printed American flag with the message "In memory of the September 11 Tragedy." Ugh. It's in memory of the victims! The terorists HOPE you will remember the "tragedy." That was their whole goal! Even then, what is "in memory of" them? The piece of paper?! I know, they mean the "thought" but you don't dedicate a thought. The thoughts are automatic and come with the dedication, which is the whole point of a REAL dedication.

I noticed the trend in the mid '90s when some nice kid in my neighborhood was accidentally shot in Newnan, GA. People who didn't even know him put this stuff on their windows because it was popular. From my perspective, it seemed like it "caught on" as if that was where this all came from nation-wide.

If a dedication appears on a car, you are supposed to assume that the car was purchased and donated for some noble purpose (a charity in need) in that person's name and you are seeing it perform its noble duty. You know, doing something like carrying orphans on a field trip or something... not that you just stuck it on your car while you drive around doing normal tasks.

bdavison · June 21st, 2011, 09:34 AM

I dont like em either. They are so tacky. Its like turning your car into a rolling tombstone.
You want to do a memorial...fine...go donate some money to a worthy cause in their name, or better yet, start a worthy cause in their name.

Call me insensitive, but I really couldnt care less that somebody I didnt know died 4 years ago. People die, its what we do. It happens to all of us.

I told my family that in my will, if they put one of those stupid stickers on the back of their car with my name on it they dont get diddly. I dont want my name as distasteful rolling advertisement for a sticker company.

Alex · June 21st, 2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavison

I told my family that in my will, if they put one of those stupid stickers on the back of their car with my name on it they dont get diddly.

gfloyd2002 · June 21st, 2011, 10:01 AM

Pretty much the same as any bumper sticker for me. Don't like any of 'em, regardless of topic. Most are worse that the "In Loving Memory" stickers, imho, because I tend to think more highly of someone who is overly sentimental than someone who is overly stupid.

reaubideux · June 21st, 2011, 10:09 AM

I'm with you, Floyd, in the overall distaste for bumper stickers. Although, some stickers can give me a general idea of who to avoid when navigating traffic: "My kid beat up your honor student..," the naked lady silhouette stickers, Calvin peeing on something.

Oddly enough, I've noticed, around my area, if a person has a AAA Membership sticker on their car that they tend to be a careless driver and routinely have some sort of damage to their car, be it superficial all the way to parts being held on with duct tape.

TXJ · June 21st, 2011, 10:16 AM

Haven't noticed any stickers like that around here. The ones that get me the most though are the "stick family" stickers with every ones name... including their dog/cat/pet. Seriously, that's just a open invitation for a nut job, or it makes stalkers job that much easier since they now know the name of everyone in your family and your address since they followed you home, since you know, they're a stalker.

gfloyd2002 · June 21st, 2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reaubideux

Oddly enough, I've noticed, around my area, if a person has a AAA Membership sticker on their car that they tend to be a careless driver and routinely have some sort of damage to their car, be it superficial all the way to parts being held on with duct tape.

Older drivers ftl. No offense Sailariel, Alex, Kkim, etc.

bob706 · June 21st, 2011, 11:01 AM

I work in a sign shop and make these decals all the time. I hate making them because it's kinda sad and to me the stickers are kinda of morbid but it's a way for alot of folks to deal with their loss. Same goes for the in memory of t-shirts. The ones I really hate making are the Calvin pissing decals.

bluepoof · June 21st, 2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reaubideux

Oddly enough, I've noticed, around my area, if a person has a AAA Membership sticker on their car that they tend to be a careless driver and routinely have some sort of damage to their car, be it superficial all the way to parts being held on with duct tape.

That's funny! Maybe they're frequent flier members with AAA.

Around here, the more Jesus paraphernalia on the car, the worse the driver. Maybe they're trying to meet him as soon as possible?

rockNroll · June 21st, 2011, 12:39 PM

For me, when I see "in memory of ____" it means that the item containing the sign is/was done in memory of _____. Well? Does that mean that the car was built in memory of ____? The back window? What exactly is in memory of ____? Just the sticker/sign?

CZroe · June 21st, 2011, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockNroll

For me, when I see "in memory of ____" it means that the item containing the sign is/was done in memory of _____. Well? Does that mean that the car was built in memory of ____? The back window? What exactly is in memory of ____? Just the sticker/sign?

Exactly! Are you picking up groceries in memory of that person? Going through the McDonald's drive-thru in memory of that person? Did you buy the car in memory of that person? It's supposed to be something DONE in memory of that person that the text draws attention to. The text itself can't be the thing done/dedicated!

dyeforever · June 23rd, 2011, 01:16 AM

I hate those 'in memory of_____" stickers along with the road side memorials.

There is a huge one by the high school of some kid that got hit on his moped riding at night. He wasn't anyone of important and had been in trouble with the law. He was also expelled for high school for attacking a referee during a basketball game. Come on, a high school basketball ref because he called a bad call on your team. People used the excuse "he was turning his life around, he really was a good kid". A Big BULLSHIT. he was a punk ass kid that was never going to be anything but that. Seriously do we need a huge road side memorial to remember him?

/end rant/

rusninja · June 23rd, 2011, 03:26 AM

i dont think this thread was to bash the people who died, just the people who publicly show there affection when its a private matter. Good or bad unless he was a real bad person maybe like if he seriously injured or killed someone for fun bash him but just because he though he was the "shiznit" doesnt mean he had to die :S

illmental · June 23rd, 2011, 04:11 AM

not a fan of those stickers either.. but if it is put on say, a show car, I get it. You dedicate the hard work and concept to someone you lost. But if it's on your beat up old smokin clunker then what's the point? Also while we're on the topic of stickers.. I don't need a sticker on your windshield to tell me it's a damn Honda!!!!

miss_syn · June 23rd, 2011, 06:45 AM

Stick figures on the car FTL... always on minivans that hog the road and tailgate at 2 feet behind you

rockNroll · June 23rd, 2011, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miss_syn

Stick figures on the car FTL... always on minivans that hog the road and tailgate at 2 feet behind you

I followed an X5 like 2 weeks ago and the lady had 15 stick kitty stickers, no people.

bluepoof · June 23rd, 2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockNroll

I followed an X5 like 2 weeks ago and the lady had 15 stick kitty stickers, no people.

OK, that's funny.

reaubideux · June 23rd, 2011, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illmental

Also while we're on the topic of stickers.. I don't need a sticker on your windshield to tell me it's a damn Honda!!!!

Okay, yeah, getting off topic of my own thread but THIS!!! We get it. It's a <insert car name here>. No need to plaster a 36" sticker on the window to advertise what the 6" badge on the trunk lid says just as well.

When I was much younger - read: acted like a young punk

- whenever my friends and I would see someone at a stoplight or in a parking lot near their car with a gigantic Honda logo sticker, or a Mustang logo sticker, etc. on the window of their car we'd take turns saying "nice Hyundai".... or ask the guy "is that a Camaro?" My favorite was when we were going out celebrating my 21st b-day, we stopped off at a casino and this old dude - early 60's I'd guess - meandered into the elevator with us, we saw him get out of his Corvette in the garage, and he was decked out with a Corvette hat, shirt, Corvette leather jacket, even had a necklace with the Corvette badge. Seriously. Dude even had the shirt unbuttoned a bit with the thick tuft of chest hair sticking out, it was really almost a caricature it was so ridiculous. My one friend said to him as we were getting off the elevator "hey! Was that your sweet-ass Camaro I saw you climbing out of in the garage? Thing was suh-weet!" (it's hard to convey the faux enthusiasm he exhibited)

reaubideux · June 23rd, 2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockNroll

I followed an X5 like 2 weeks ago and the lady had 15 stick kitty stickers, no people.

Was she throwing cats out the window at pedestrians and other cars while yelling undiscernable phrases?

June 21st, 2011, 09:08 AM	#1
reaubideux Perpetual Newb Name: Jason Location: Imperial, MO Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 MIB Ninja 250R [sold]; 2006 CBR600RR [sold]; 2013 Triumph Street Triple R Posts: 782	"In Loving Memory" stickers.... At the risk of coming off as insensitive, I don't get why people put those "In loving memory...." stickers with the name and birth/death date of their friend or family member on their car. I just don't. First and foremost, I'm genuinely sorry for the person's loss. This thread is not to make fun of anyone's death, how they died, or the type of person who does this. I respect the fact it's their car, their property, and they are, by all means, entitled to deal with the grief in what ever way helps them cope with the loss. With that said, why do people feel it necessary to plaster - in a somewhat tacky fashion, IMHO - this information on their car? How does it help them cope, if that truly is their reason for putting the sticker on their window? I somewhat understood it when I first noticed the trend as it was usually the name/rank of a fallen soldier from Iraq or Afghanistan. That trend then grew from soldiers to firefighters or police officers - again, while I disagree with the notion, I respect the nobility in that they may have died protecting or serving us - but now it's just anyone who had a loved one die. Today I saw one for the dearly departed who was the tender, young age of 87. Yes, again, I'm sorry your dad/grandpa died, but that tends to happen to people as they reach their twilight years. It's genuinely sad to see one for a young child, but again, I don't understand the need to create a mobile memorial out of your back window. What emotions are you trying to elicit from me while I'm sitting behind you at the red light? Why else would you advertise the dearly departed's demise (alliteration FTW!) if you weren't seeking to bring about some sort of response from strangers? For me, death has always been a private, family matter. We gather, we grieve, we remember them in our own ways but in the end, they were part of our family and no one else needs to know that they're gone. The impact that person had should be shared amongst those who were touched by that person and not with the soccer mom walking back to her Excursion in the WalMart parking lot. Maybe I'm uptight in that I hold the passing of a loved one with a bit more reverence than those who feel the need to show "respect" by informing the general public via some cheap vinyl that they too have lost someone. I don't know if it's their craving for attention that compels them to do it, but no one's special in that regard, everyone loses someone near to them at some point in their life. I just don't get it. For the "why do you care, it isn't hurting you" crowd, please save your breath (keystrokes). I'm very well aware that these stickers are not infringing on my personal well being in any way, shape, or form. Feel free to move along to the next thread.

June 21st, 2011, 10:01 AM	#5
gfloyd2002 User Title Free Since '12 Name: Floyd Location: Barbados Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 13 MOTM - Feb '12	Pretty much the same as any bumper sticker for me. Don't like any of 'em, regardless of topic. Most are worse that the "In Loving Memory" stickers, imho, because I tend to think more highly of someone who is overly sentimental than someone who is overly stupid. __________________________________________________ "Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake

June 21st, 2011, 12:39 PM	#11
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	For me, when I see "in memory of ____" it means that the item containing the sign is/was done in memory of _____. Well? Does that mean that the car was built in memory of ____? The back window? What exactly is in memory of ____? Just the sticker/sign? __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

June 23rd, 2011, 03:26 AM	#14
rusninja Ninjette wanabe :D Name: Ruslan Location: San Jose Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): white 300 :D Posts: A lot.	i dont think this thread was to bash the people who died, just the people who publicly show there affection when its a private matter. Good or bad unless he was a real bad person maybe like if he seriously injured or killed someone for fun bash him but just because he though he was the "shiznit" doesnt mean he had to die :S __________________________________________________ VROOOM vrooom >.>

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June 21st, 2011, 09:26 AM	#2
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I've been yelled at for mentioning this online too, but I approached it from a different angle. A dedication in memory of someone is supposed to dedicate someTHING in memory of someone. The message on the dedication itself is not supposed to be a stand-alone dedication. Basically, people saw messages like "In loving memory of ____" on park benches, stained-glass windows, and other publicly accessible items and didn't realize that the item was dedicated "In loving memory of _____." They then decided to do what they thought was the same thing (monkey see, moneky do). Sometimes, it's explicitly stated: "Dedicated in memory of _____" The worst one I remember was a printed American flag with the message "In memory of the September 11 Tragedy." Ugh. It's in memory of the victims! The terorists HOPE you will remember the "tragedy." That was their whole goal! Even then, what is "in memory of" them? The piece of paper?! I know, they mean the "thought" but you don't dedicate a thought. The thoughts are automatic and come with the dedication, which is the whole point of a REAL dedication. I noticed the trend in the mid '90s when some nice kid in my neighborhood was accidentally shot in Newnan, GA. People who didn't even know him put this stuff on their windows because it was popular. From my perspective, it seemed like it "caught on" as if that was where this all came from nation-wide. If a dedication appears on a car, you are supposed to assume that the car was purchased and donated for some noble purpose (a charity in need) in that person's name and you are seeing it perform its noble duty. You know, doing something like carrying orphans on a field trip or something... not that you just stuck it on your car while you drive around doing normal tasks.

June 21st, 2011, 09:34 AM	#3
bdavison Wartown, USA Name: Bryan Location: Warner Robins, GA Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R SE, 2007 Ninja 650R, and assorted other bikes Posts: A lot.	I dont like em either. They are so tacky. Its like turning your car into a rolling tombstone. You want to do a memorial...fine...go donate some money to a worthy cause in their name, or better yet, start a worthy cause in their name. Call me insensitive, but I really couldnt care less that somebody I didnt know died 4 years ago. People die, its what we do. It happens to all of us. I told my family that in my will, if they put one of those stupid stickers on the back of their car with my name on it they dont get diddly. I dont want my name as distasteful rolling advertisement for a sticker company.

June 21st, 2011, 10:09 AM	#6
reaubideux Perpetual Newb Name: Jason Location: Imperial, MO Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 MIB Ninja 250R [sold]; 2006 CBR600RR [sold]; 2013 Triumph Street Triple R Posts: 782	I'm with you, Floyd, in the overall distaste for bumper stickers. Although, some stickers can give me a general idea of who to avoid when navigating traffic: "My kid beat up your honor student..," the naked lady silhouette stickers, Calvin peeing on something. Oddly enough, I've noticed, around my area, if a person has a AAA Membership sticker on their car that they tend to be a careless driver and routinely have some sort of damage to their car, be it superficial all the way to parts being held on with duct tape.

June 21st, 2011, 10:16 AM	#7
TXJ Cranky Old Fart Name: TXJ Location: TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 DRZ400SM Posts: 189	Haven't noticed any stickers like that around here. The ones that get me the most though are the "stick family" stickers with every ones name... including their dog/cat/pet. Seriously, that's just a open invitation for a nut job, or it makes stalkers job that much easier since they now know the name of everyone in your family and your address since they followed you home, since you know, they're a stalker.

June 21st, 2011, 11:01 AM	#9
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	I work in a sign shop and make these decals all the time. I hate making them because it's kinda sad and to me the stickers are kinda of morbid but it's a way for alot of folks to deal with their loss. Same goes for the in memory of t-shirts. The ones I really hate making are the Calvin pissing decals.

June 23rd, 2011, 01:16 AM	#13
dyeforever ninjette.org member Name: Jesse Location: Kona, Hawaii Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 250r(sold), 09 250r(sold), 07 CRF450x, 07 sv650(sold) Posts: 110	I hate those 'in memory of_____" stickers along with the road side memorials. There is a huge one by the high school of some kid that got hit on his moped riding at night. He wasn't anyone of important and had been in trouble with the law. He was also expelled for high school for attacking a referee during a basketball game. Come on, a high school basketball ref because he called a bad call on your team. People used the excuse "he was turning his life around, he really was a good kid". A Big BULLSHIT. he was a punk ass kid that was never going to be anything but that. Seriously do we need a huge road side memorial to remember him? /end rant/

June 23rd, 2011, 04:11 AM	#15
illmental ninjette.org member Name: Bobby Location: North Carolina Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r Posts: 22	not a fan of those stickers either.. but if it is put on say, a show car, I get it. You dedicate the hard work and concept to someone you lost. But if it's on your beat up old smokin clunker then what's the point? Also while we're on the topic of stickers.. I don't need a sticker on your windshield to tell me it's a damn Honda!!!!

June 23rd, 2011, 06:45 AM	#16
miss_syn my hair matches my bike Name: Tiffany Location: Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Red 250r Posts: 411	Stick figures on the car FTL... always on minivans that hog the road and tailgate at 2 feet behind you