Roving Cooks

I would argue that I’m more average sized. But our Dodge Ram 2500 truck is, admittedly, quite large. Especially compared to prior vehicles I’ve driven – Plymouth Colt, Saturn sedan, and other 2-4 door vehicles that don’t seem to inspire questions around their towing capacity or horsepower.

We rarely had comments directed towards Big Red while out on the open roads of the west; but since being back in the Madison WI area the last couple years, there have been a series of interactions that I previously would have thought only happen in RomComs.

In the acceptable, though strange category:

• Whistles and admiring catcalls. (Seriously. There was no mistaking that they were directed at the truck).
• “That’s a beautiful truck you have there.” (Thank you! The backseat is so high you can’t see the crumbs & empty applesauce cups.)
• Construction crews around our condo checking out the truck (as reported by an amused neighbor.)

In the Unacceptable-to-say-out-loud, please don’t category:

• “What’s a little lady like you driving a truck like that?” (Getting groceries. I’m at the grocery store. Perhaps “what’s a truck like that doing in a lot full of Priuses & e-bikes?” would have been a fair question.)
• “That isn’t your truck out there, is it?” (Yes. Maybe there’s a way this sound less creepy. But it comes out mainly sounding creepy).
• “I’m surprised a delicate woman like you is driving such a big truck.” (I suppose surprises in life are good).

Yes, folks, these are real comments said out loud.

I will now be taking suggested responses for any similar future interactions. (I like big trucks and I cannot lie?)