Is Red Car More Expensive Insurance? Unpacking the Myth and Reality
#More #Expensive #Insurance #Unpacking #Myth #Reality
Is Red Car More Expensive Insurance? Unpacking the Myth and Reality
Alright, let's just cut to the chase, shall we? Because I’ve heard this question, or some variation of it, probably a million times over the years. It’s like a classic dinner party debate or a casual chat at the mechanic’s shop: "Oh, you got a red car? Better brace yourself for those insurance premiums!" Or, "My uncle always said red cars get pulled over more, and that means higher insurance." It’s a belief so deeply ingrained in our collective psyche that it almost feels like common sense. But here’s the thing about common sense: sometimes, it’s just common nonsense passed down through generations. And when it comes to the cost of your auto insurance, the color of your chariot is one of those persistent, yet utterly baseless, myths.
I remember when I first got into this field, fresh-faced and eager, I genuinely believed some of these old wives' tales myself. My neighbor had a bright red Mustang, and his insurance bill was always a topic of hushed, sympathetic whispers in the cul-de-sac. Everyone just knew it was because of the car's vibrant, audacious hue. It made sense, right? Red screams "speed," "danger," "look at me!"—all things you’d associate with higher risk. But then you start digging, you start learning the actual mechanics of how insurance companies operate, and you realize just how far off the mark that kind of thinking really is. It’s like believing that eating carrots will make you see in the dark, or that cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis. There’s a superficial logic, a whisper of truth in the periphery, but the core premise is just… wrong. So, if you've been putting off buying that cherry-red sports car or that fiery crimson sedan because you're terrified of the insurance bill, take a deep breath. We're about to dismantle this myth, piece by painstaking piece, and show you what really makes your premiums tick. It’s a fascinating journey into data, psychology, and the cold, hard logic of risk assessment.
The Direct Answer: Debunking the Red Car Myth
Let's not mince words. Let's get straight to the heart of the matter because, honestly, life's too short for unnecessary worry over something as trivial as car color influencing your insurance rates. This is one of those urban legends that has truly stood the test of time, an enduring whisper in the automotive world that just refuses to die, despite all evidence to the contrary. But as your seasoned mentor in the labyrinthine world of auto insurance, I’m here to tell you, with absolute certainty and zero ambiguity, that the vibrant shade of your vehicle is about as relevant to your insurance premium as the brand of coffee you drink in the morning.
No, Car Color Doesn't Directly Impact Insurance Premiums
Let me state this unequivocally, with all the emphasis I can muster: insurance companies do not, I repeat, do not use car color as a factor in calculating your premiums. Period. Full stop. End of discussion on that particular point. It's simply not on their radar. When you fill out an application for auto insurance, whether it's online, over the phone, or in person, you'll be asked about the make, model, year, VIN, engine size, safety features, even the trim level of your car. You will never be asked about its color. Think about it for a moment: if color were a factor, wouldn't it be a mandatory field? Wouldn't every insurance agent be diligently noting down "fire engine red" or "midnight blue" or "forest green" with the same gravitas they apply to your driving history? Of course, they would. But they don't. Because it doesn't matter.
Insurance is, at its core, a game of statistics and risk assessment. Actuaries, the brilliant minds behind these calculations, pore over mountains of data to predict the likelihood of you filing a claim, the potential cost of that claim, and how much they need to charge to cover that risk and still make a profit. They look at things like accident rates, theft statistics, repair costs, and driver demographics. They're interested in cold, hard facts that correlate directly with financial risk. What they are not interested in are subjective aesthetic choices or cultural associations with certain colors. A red Honda Civic, statistically speaking, is identical in risk profile to a blue Honda Civic, a white Honda Civic, or a black Honda Civic, assuming all other factors (engine, trim, year, driver, etc.) are the same. The paint job is literally just that: paint. It doesn't make the car go faster, it doesn't make it safer, and it certainly doesn't make it a magnet for fender benders in the eyes of an underwriter.
Pro-Tip: The VIN Tells All (Except Color)
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character code that is a treasure trove of information about your car. It tells insurers its make, model, year, engine size, body style, and even where it was manufactured. What it doesn't encode is the color. This is a crucial piece of evidence that car color is simply not a data point collected or considered by insurance companies. If it were important, it would be in the VIN.
Why This Myth Persists: A Historical Perspective
So, if car color is so irrelevant, why on earth does this myth persist with such tenacious vigor? It's a fascinating study in human psychology, historical anecdote, and the seductive power of correlation being mistaken for causation. The belief that red cars are more expensive to insure often links back to a perceived aggression or, quite simply, anecdotal evidence that has been passed down through generations, gathering strength with each retelling. It's the kind of story your grandfather might have told you, perhaps with a knowing wink, warning you away from that flashy red convertible.
One of the strongest roots of this myth lies in the association of red with high-performance sports cars. Think about it: what color are many Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Corvettes often portrayed in? Red. And what kind of cars generally do have higher insurance premiums? High-performance sports cars. These vehicles are often more expensive to buy, more expensive to repair (due to specialized parts and labor), more likely to be stolen, and, let's be honest, more often driven by individuals who might be inclined to push the speed limit or engage in more spirited driving. So, the leap in logic becomes: red cars are sports cars, sports cars are expensive to insure, therefore red cars are expensive to insure. It’s a classic case of misattribution. The color is merely coincidental to the type of car, not the cause of the higher premium itself. It’s not the red paint that makes a Ferrari expensive to insure; it’s the fact that it’s a Ferrari – a high-value, high-performance, high-risk vehicle.
Furthermore, there’s a psychological aspect at play here. Red is a color of passion, urgency, and often, aggression. It’s the color of stop signs, fire trucks, and warning labels. Culturally, it’s associated with speed and excitement. This inherent psychological bias can lead people to perceive red cars as being driven more recklessly or being more prone to accidents, even if there's no statistical evidence to support this. This perception then gets reinforced by selective memory. If you see a red car speeding, it sticks in your mind more vividly than a grey car doing the same thing. Over time, these individual instances coalesce into a seemingly undeniable "truth." It's a self-fulfilling prophecy of anecdotal evidence, where confirmation bias plays a starring role. We expect red cars to be driven by risk-takers, so when we see a red car driven by a risk-taker, it simply confirms our existing belief, rather than challenging it with the countless red cars driven perfectly safely every single day. The myth thus perpetuates itself, a testament to how easily our minds can connect dots that aren't actually connected by reality.
What Insurance Companies Actually Consider (The Real Factors)
Now that we’ve thoroughly dismantled the red car myth, let's pivot to what truly matters. Because while car color is a non-factor, there’s a whole universe of data points that insurance companies obsess over, and understanding these is the real key to deciphering your premiums. This is where the rubber meets the road, where the cold, hard logic of risk assessment truly shines. Forget the paint job; let’s talk about the factors that actually dictate whether you’re paying a premium that feels like a monthly tax or something more manageable. It’s a complex algorithm, a mosaic of personal details and vehicle characteristics, all designed to predict one thing: how likely you are to cost them money.
This isn isn't just about what they can charge you; it's about what they need to charge you to stay solvent, to pay out claims for everyone who gets into an accident, has their car stolen, or suffers damage from a natural disaster. So, when an insurance company pulls your information, they're not just being nosy; they're building a comprehensive risk profile, a detailed picture of you and your vehicle, to accurately price that promise of protection. It’s less about judgment and more about predictive analytics, crunching numbers to understand the statistical probability of a payout. And believe me, they have a lot of numbers to crunch.
Driver-Related Factors: Your Profile Matters Most
Let's start with you, the person behind the wheel. Because, frankly, you are the biggest variable in the entire equation. The car is an inanimate object; it doesn't decide to speed, or run a stop sign, or get into a fender bender. You do. Or rather, your driving habits, your history, and your personal circumstances create a statistical likelihood of those events occurring. This is why personal attributes and your driving history are absolutely paramount in determining your insurance premium. They're looking at who is driving, not just what they're driving.
Insurance companies are masters of statistical correlation. They’ve analyzed decades of data to understand which human behaviors and characteristics tend to lead to more claims, more severe accidents, or higher payouts. This isn't about moral judgment; it's about cold, hard data points that indicate a higher or lower probability of you needing to make a claim. Your personal profile, therefore, becomes the foundation upon which your entire premium is built. Everything else, the car included, is secondary to the person operating it. It’s a tough pill to swallow for some, especially if they feel unfairly categorized, but from an actuarial standpoint, it’s simply about managing risk based on observable patterns.
#### Your Driving History & Record
This is, without a doubt, the single most influential factor in your insurance premium. Think of your driving record as your report card for the road. Every accident, every traffic violation, every DUI, every claim you’ve ever filed – it all gets meticulously logged and assessed. If you’ve got a spotless record, you’re gold. You’re telling the insurance company, through your actions, that you are a responsible, low-risk driver. They love that. They will reward that with lower rates because the statistics show that drivers with clean records are far less likely to cost them money.
Conversely, a history riddled with accidents, speeding tickets, or, heaven forbid, a DUI, is a giant red flag. Each incident signifies an increased risk. A speeding ticket suggests a propensity for aggressive driving, which correlates with a higher likelihood of accidents. An at-fault accident directly demonstrates a past financial cost to an insurer. A DUI is perhaps the most serious offense, indicating not just recklessness but a blatant disregard for safety and the law, and it will send your premiums skyrocketing, sometimes making you uninsurable with standard carriers. It’s a direct, undeniable link: your past behavior on the road is the best predictor of your future behavior, and insurance companies pay very close attention. They're looking for patterns, for indicators of future risk, and your driving record is the clearest crystal ball they have.
#### Age and Experience
Ah, youth. A time of boundless energy, questionable decision-making, and, unfortunately, statistically higher insurance premiums. Younger, less experienced drivers, particularly those under 25, generally face significantly higher premiums. This isn't because insurance companies are inherently biased against young people; it's purely a matter of statistical risk. Data consistently shows that this demographic has a higher accident rate, often due to a combination of inexperience, a tendency towards risk-taking, and slower reaction times in emergencies compared to more seasoned drivers.
As you gain more years behind the wheel and maintain a clean record, your premiums typically begin to decrease. This is why a 30-year-old with 12 years of driving experience will almost always pay less than an 18-year-old with only two years, even if they drive the exact same car and live in the same neighborhood. The sweet spot for lower rates often starts around age 25, assuming a clean driving history, and continues to be favorable through middle age. However, rates can sometimes creep up again for very senior drivers, as age can bring new forms of risk, such as slower reflexes or impaired vision. It's a U-shaped curve, with the lowest rates generally found in the middle years of adulthood. It's frustrating for young drivers, I know, but it's a reflection of broad statistical realities, not personal judgment.
#### Credit Score (Where Permitted by State Law)
This one often catches people off guard, and for good reason: what does your credit score have to do with how you drive a car? Well, it’s not your FICO score that insurers are using, but rather an "insurance score" derived from your credit report. And while it might seem counterintuitive, insurance companies in most states have found a correlation between financial responsibility (as indicated by a good credit history) and the likelihood of filing a claim. The thinking goes that individuals who manage their finances responsibly tend to be more responsible in other areas of their life, including their driving habits.
Now, let's be clear: this isn't about being rich or poor. It's about demonstrating consistent financial management. Someone with a history of late payments, high debt, or bankruptcies might be seen as a higher risk, not necessarily because they're bad drivers, but because they might be more prone to making small claims that they could otherwise cover out-of-pocket, or perhaps they're more likely to engage in riskier behaviors in general. It's a controversial factor, and some states (like California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts) have banned its use for setting auto insurance rates precisely because of concerns about fairness and potential discrimination. But where it is permitted, a strong credit-based insurance score can absolutely lead to lower premiums, while a poor one can significantly increase them. It’s one of those hidden levers that many consumers don't even realize is at play.
Insider Note: The "Insurance Score" vs. Your FICO Score
It's important to differentiate. While an insurance score uses information from your credit report, it's not the same as the FICO score lenders use. It weighs different factors and has a unique algorithm. So, while improving your overall financial health will likely benefit both, they are distinct calculations. Don't assume your excellent credit for a mortgage means the same for your car insurance without checking.
#### Location and Garaging Address
Where you park your car and where you primarily drive it are huge factors. This makes perfect sense when you think about it. The risks associated with driving and owning a car vary dramatically from one zip code to another, sometimes even from one neighborhood to the next within the same city. Insurance companies meticulously analyze data related to crime rates, population density, accident frequency, and even weather risks specific to your garaging address.
If you live in a densely populated urban area, you're likely to face higher premiums. Why? More cars on the road mean more opportunities for accidents. Higher population density often correlates with higher rates of vandalism and theft. If your area has a high rate of car break-ins or stolen vehicles, your comprehensive coverage will be pricier. Conversely, if you live in a quiet, rural town with low traffic and minimal crime, your premiums will likely be lower. Additionally, natural disaster risks play a role. If you live in a region prone to hail storms, hurricanes, or wildfires, your comprehensive coverage will reflect that increased risk. Even the cost of labor and parts in your specific area can influence repair costs, and thus, your premium. It's a hyper-local assessment of risk, a reflection of the environment your car lives and breathes in every day.
#### Marital Status
This might sound a bit old-fashioned or even intrusive, but your marital status can also play a role in your insurance rates. Statistically speaking, married individuals often receive lower rates than single, divorced, or widowed drivers. The underlying assumption, backed by data, is that married individuals are generally perceived as more stable, less prone to risky behavior, and tend to drive more cautiously. They often have families, which implies a greater sense of responsibility and less likelihood of engaging in reckless driving.
Think about it: a young, single person might be out late more often, potentially driving in riskier conditions or after social events. A married person, particularly one with children, might have a more predictable routine, drive less aggressively, and prioritize safety more acutely. While this is a broad generalization and certainly doesn't apply to every individual, the aggregated data shows a consistent trend. It's another one of those demographic factors that, when combined with all the other data points, helps insurance companies paint a more complete picture of your overall risk profile. It's not about whether they think you're "happily" married, but simply about the statistical patterns observed across vast numbers of policyholders.
Vehicle-Related Factors: The Car's Characteristics
Beyond who you are, the car itself plays a monumental role in determining your insurance costs. This is where the red car myth gets tangled up with reality, because while the color doesn't matter, the type of car certainly does. Insurance companies aren't just insuring a generic "vehicle"; they're insuring a specific make, model, and year with all its unique attributes, vulnerabilities, and repair complexities. This category is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak, in terms of the actual physical asset being protected.
Every single car model has a unique risk profile attached to it, meticulously compiled from accident statistics, theft rates, repair costs, and even the driving habits of its typical owners. This is why a brand-new luxury SUV will almost always cost more to insure than an older economy sedan, even if driven by the exact same person. The car's characteristics directly influence the potential payout for collision, comprehensive, and even liability claims. It's a detailed assessment of how much money they might have to shell out if something goes wrong with that specific piece of machinery.
#### Make, Model, and Year of the Car
This is a massive one. The specific make, model, and year of your car are fundamental to its insurance cost. High-performance vehicles, luxury cars, or those that are popular targets for theft will invariably cost more to insure. Why? Let's break it down. A Porsche 911, for example, is a high-performance machine designed for speed. It's also expensive to buy, meaning higher replacement costs if totaled. Its parts are specialized and costly, leading to higher repair bills even for minor damage. And, let’s be honest, drivers of such vehicles might be more inclined to push the limits, increasing the likelihood of high-speed collisions.
Conversely, a more modest family sedan, like a Toyota Camry, might be cheaper to insure. It’s less likely to be driven aggressively, its parts are widely available and relatively inexpensive, and it might not be as high on a thief's wish list. The year of the car also plays a role: newer cars are often more expensive to replace and repair due to advanced technology and specialized materials. Older cars might be cheaper in terms of replacement value, but sometimes parts can be harder to find, or they might lack modern safety features, which could also influence rates. It’s a delicate balance of value, performance, and commonality.
#### Safety Features and Technology
This is a double-edged sword, and it’s a fascinating area where modern automotive technology impacts insurance. On one hand, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control are designed to reduce the likelihood of collisions. And indeed, cars equipped with these features often qualify for discounts because they make accidents less frequent. That’s a win for everyone.
However, here’s the rub: while these systems can prevent accidents, if an accident does occur, they can significantly increase repair costs. A simple fender bender that might have once just required a new bumper now involves recalibrating complex sensors, cameras, and radar units embedded within that bumper. These components are expensive, and the labor to properly calibrate them often requires specialized training and equipment. So, you might get a discount for having the safety tech, but if you do crash, the repair bill for the insurer could be substantially higher. This is a constant balancing act for insurance companies as technology evolves, trying to weigh the reduced frequency of accidents against the increased severity of repair costs when they do happen.
#### Repair Costs and Parts Availability
This factor is intimately linked to the make, model, and year of your car. Vehicles with expensive or hard-to-find parts will inevitably have higher comprehensive and collision premiums. Think about exotic sports cars with bespoke components, or luxury vehicles where every part is proprietary and manufactured to stringent, high-cost standards. Even certain mainstream models can have surprisingly high repair costs if they use specialized materials (like aluminum body panels) or require complex disassembly for what seems like a minor repair.
The availability of parts also plays a crucial role. If a part has to be flown in from another continent, or if there's only one supplier, the cost will be much higher than for a vehicle where aftermarket parts are plentiful and easily sourced. This directly translates into higher potential payouts for the insurance company, which they then pass on to you in the form of higher premiums. It's a simple economic principle: the more expensive and difficult it is to fix your car after an incident, the more you'll pay to insure it against that possibility. This is why a common, mass-produced vehicle often boasts lower insurance rates – the parts are cheap and readily available, and any mechanic can fix it.
Numbered List: Key Vehicle Characteristics Driving Insurance Costs
- Vehicle Value: The higher the car's market value, the more it costs to replace if totaled, leading to higher comprehensive and collision premiums.
- Performance Capabilities: High-horsepower engines and sports-tuned suspensions are often correlated with faster driving and higher accident risk.
- Safety Ratings: Cars with excellent crash test ratings and robust safety structures can sometimes qualify for discounts, as they protect occupants better, potentially reducing injury claims.
- Theft Vulnerability: Models frequently targeted by thieves will have higher comprehensive coverage costs.
- Repair Complexity & Parts Cost: Vehicles requiring specialized tools, labor, or expensive, proprietary parts will lead to higher collision and comprehensive premiums.
This is a straightforward one: if your car model is frequently stolen, your comprehensive coverage will be more expensive. Comprehensive insurance covers non-collision events like theft, vandalism, fire, and natural disasters. Insurance companies maintain extensive databases on vehicle theft statistics, broken down by make, model, and year. Some cars are simply more attractive to thieves, either because they're valuable, easy to steal, or their parts are in high demand on the black market.
For instance, certain older Honda Civics and Accords, despite their age, have historically been high on theft lists because their parts are interchangeable and valuable for illicit resale. High-end luxury cars are also frequently targeted for their value. If you own a vehicle that appears regularly on "most stolen cars" lists, you can bet your comprehensive premium will reflect that elevated risk. It's a pure statistical play: if there's a higher chance your car will disappear, the insurer needs to charge more to cover that probable loss. Anti-theft devices, like alarms and tracking systems, can sometimes help mitigate this risk and earn you a discount, but the inherent theft vulnerability of the model remains a core factor.
#### Engine Size and Horsepower
While not always a direct, linear relationship, engine size and horsepower are often correlated with higher potential for speeding and severe accidents. This isn't about judging your driving style; it's about the capacity of the vehicle. A car with a massive V8 engine boasting 500 horsepower simply has the potential to reach higher speeds and accelerate more rapidly than a compact car with a modest four-cylinder engine. And higher speeds directly correlate with more severe accidents and thus, higher injury and repair costs.
Insurance companies understand that powerful cars attract drivers who might be more inclined to test those limits. They're looking at the inherent capability for risk. It’s not just about the engine, but often the entire performance package that comes with it – upgraded brakes, sport suspensions, and higher-performance tires, all of which contribute to a vehicle that can be driven more aggressively. So, while you might love the thrill of a powerful engine, be prepared for your insurance company to factor that potential for spirited driving into your premium. It's another layer in the complex risk assessment, linking the mechanical capabilities of the car to the statistical likelihood of an expensive incident.
Why the Red Car Perception Exists (Psychology & Misinterpretation)
Even after laying out all the factual, data-driven factors that actually influence insurance premiums, that stubborn red car myth still lingers in the air, doesn't it? It’s like a phantom limb of automotive folklore. And that’s because the persistence of this belief isn't rooted in actuarial tables or accident statistics; it's deeply embedded in human psychology, cultural stereotypes, and a fundamental misunderstanding of how data works. We're wired to connect dots, to find patterns, and sometimes, those patterns are simply mirages created by our own biases and assumptions.
This is where the conversation shifts from the objective world of insurance underwriting to the subjective realm of human perception. It's about why we feel certain things are true, even when the evidence says otherwise. It's about how stereotypes gain traction, how anecdotes become "facts," and how our brains can sometimes lead us astray in our quest to make sense of the world around us. Understanding this psychological underpinning is just as important as understanding the real factors, because it illuminates why certain myths are so incredibly difficult to shake off.
The "Fast Car" Stereotype and Perception Bias
Let's be honest: red cars look fast. They just do. There's an undeniable visual impact that the color red has, an inherent dynamism that other colors often lack. Red is the color of Ferrari, of racing stripes, of speedometers pushed to their limits. It evokes passion, energy, and a certain audaciousness. This strong association with sports cars and aggressive driving has created a powerful psychological bias among the public. When we see a red car, our brains, whether we realize it or not, often make an instantaneous, subconscious leap: "fast car," "sports car," "driven by someone who likes to speed."
This perception bias is a powerful thing. It means that when a red car speeds by, it's more likely to register in our minds as "a fast car being driven fast." If a grey car does the exact same thing, it might just be "a car speeding." The color red amplifies the perception of speed and risk, making it seem more salient, more noticeable, and therefore, more memorable. This isn't about reality; it's about how our brains interpret reality through the lens of cultural conditioning and visual cues. We've been conditioned by advertising, movies, and popular culture to link red with performance and excitement. And sometimes, excitement leads to risk. This mental shortcut, while understandable, creates a false equivalency between the color and the behavior, leading to the erroneous conclusion that red cars themselves are inherently riskier.
Pro-Tip: Challenging Your Own Biases
Next time you see a car speeding or driving erratically, take note of its color. You'll likely find that cars of all colors are involved in such incidents. Our brains tend to filter and remember things that confirm our existing beliefs. Actively challenging these biases can help you see the reality more clearly.
Correlation vs. Causation: Misinterpreting Data
This is the absolute crux of why the red car myth persists, and it’s a fundamental error in logical thinking that permeates many aspects of our lives. People often confuse correlation with causation. Correlation means two things tend to happen together. Causation means one thing directly causes the other. The red car myth is a perfect example of mistaking correlation for causation.
Here's the breakdown: it's entirely plausible that certain demographics (say, younger drivers, or individuals who statistically take more risks) might be more inclined to purchase a red sports car. Red is a bold, attention-grabbing color, often favored by those looking for a bit more flair or excitement. And as we discussed earlier, younger drivers and drivers of sports cars do generally have higher insurance premiums, and they do statistically incur more accidents and violations. So, if you observe a trend where red cars are associated with higher accident rates or higher premiums, it's not because of the color. It's because of the type of car (e.g., a high-performance sports car) and the demographics of the driver who tends to choose such a car.
The color red is merely a coincidental characteristic. It’s the type of car and the driver's profile that are the causal factors for higher insurance costs, not the hue of the paint. Imagine a scenario where a study finds that people who eat ice cream are more likely to drown. A simplistic, flawed conclusion would be that eating ice cream causes drowning. The real explanation, of course, is that both activities are more common in the summer, and people eat ice cream and swim more often when it's warm. The warm weather is the common cause, not the ice cream. Similarly, the desire for a fast, flashy car (which might often be red) and the demographic prone to driving such a car (which might also be higher risk) are the common causes for higher premiums, not the red paint itself. This distinction is vital for accurate risk assessment, and insurance companies understand it perfectly.
Bullet List: Why Correlation ≠ Causation for Red Cars
- Shared Demographics: Certain driver demographics (e.g., younger, more risk-prone) might be statistically more attracted to red, high-performance vehicles.
- Perception Amplification: The bold nature of red makes incidents involving red cars more memorable, creating a false impression of higher frequency.
- Ignoring Other Factors: Focusing solely on color neglects the multitude of other, genuinely impactful factors like driving history, location, and specific vehicle features.
Historical Anecdotes and Urban Legends
Finally, we can't underestimate the sheer power of historical anecdotes and urban legends in perpetuating myths like this one. These stories, often passed down through generations via word-of-mouth, gain a kind of mythological weight. "My dad always said..." or "I heard from a guy who knew a guy..." are the opening lines to countless pieces of
