<p>I know about this awkwardness! A very sweet family member gave my ds a brand new very hot car. What was awkward is that we were in the middle of a job loss and getting a lot of help from friends and our church. My ds felt very odd going to pick up donated groceries in this car What he found, though, is that if he said, “Yeah! Isn’t God good? My _____ just <em>gave</em> this to me – amazing!” that folks just rejoiced with him and didn’t make him feel odd at all.</p>
<p>I also understand what your dad is thinking. Another of my sons was in an auto accident a couple of weeks ago. The family member he was with was driving a upper-end BMW. Someone turned right into their car at highway speeds. The car was totaled, but neither of them was hurt beyond bruises. I’m convinced all that metal saved their lives.</p>
<p>I think you should just be upfront that you are amazed by the gift, that you aren’t trying to come off as rich, and use it to bless folks and you’ll be just fine.</p>
<p>Just enjoy the car. Be happy, many of us aren’t even fortunate to have one. As long as you don’t go around flaunting it, and wearing the keychain so everyone can see the 'Cedes symbol, you will be fine.</p>
<p>Not meaning to scare you but please, please be aware of your surroundings driving your car at school. Carjackings are more and more common around universities now that more kids have cars. Being safe in a car means more than how much impact a bumper can take.</p>
<p>I get where you are coming from. I am not saying that I even could get a really expensive car or anything, but I never go in that direction because I am paranoid that displaying wealth will make someone else feel bad. </p>
<p>It makes me uncomfortable even to wear expensive jewelry, and I love the look of gorgeous bags but can’t bring myself to spend that much money on one. There is also the worry that some of the people expensive things attract could have dubious intentions. I’m a big proponent of subtlety, but I think your dad was very sweet to try to take such good care of you.</p>
<p>I can share from personal experience that while in college an extremely wealthy friend received a brand new car. I was happy for her (she was a great girl), but it felt strange. My family couldn’t even really afford to make the tuition payments. I felt so economically awkward. But it wasn’t just the car. It was the yacht, her family’s domestic help, the multiple houses, her dad’s driver, the designer clothes, the trips, etc. I was happy for her, but man it was like a whole other world. Now that I am older, that kind of thing doesn’t effect me. At the time, though, it was really distracting for a middle class kid.</p>
<p>My daughter who just graduated from SC received a Mercedes as a graduation present. She drove to and from school everyday…car never broke down…and NO ONE cared about what kind of car she drove.</p>
<p>My youngest will be driving a BMW to SC…I think that’s what she picked. So what? She will be judged on the content of her character not by her ride. Stop feeling guilty…your father wants you to be safe.</p>
<p>Newyorka - Congrats on being a well-cultured human being with two parents who love you.</p>
<p>You have to keep the car. It was a gift given in love. But you don’t have to take the car to college your freshman year. Frankly there’s no way to know how those at your college will react to a freshman driving a car that 99% of ADULTS can never afford. Why put yourself in that position? JMHO.</p>
What he found, though, is that if he said, “Yeah! Isn’t God good? My _____ just <em>gave</em> this to me – amazing!” that folks just rejoiced with him and didn’t make him feel odd at all.</p>