Many people don't think much about what they're putting on their cars when it comes to stickers and decals. In many cases, it's just a fun way to express yourself and personalize something that is, otherwise, rather impersonal on the exterior. How do you distinguish your Honda Civic from the next guys? The answer is generally a fun decal or a personalized license plate. Sometimes, folks want to show off their kids and express their pride in them for making the honor roll or doing well in sports. But maybe there is more to decals and personalized tags than you might think. Yes, they're fun and show off your personality or express pride in people you love, but they can also give away more information about you than you might think.
Sadly, there is a lot wrong in today's society, despite all the good. There are still robberies and break-ins, people hurting other people and, something that many people don't seem to think about, human trafficking. Despite what someone might think, small towns and secluded areas are more of a hotbed for human trafficking than big cities can be. It's easier to take someone when there are fewer people around and when you know their patterns. So, what do your bumper stickers and decals say about you that you might not have thought about? What do they give away that could help someone figure out your patterns or remember your car? It's best to be informed and stay safe, so here are some of the things that your car could let people know about you.
Sports and extracurricular decals, especially ones with names on them: Decals like these can introduce people to your children if it has their name on it. A baseball or softball with your child's name on it not only tells someone what your child's name is but the sport they play. A sticker like this also lets people know that, because you're involved in extracurricular activities, the family will be gone many evenings and/or weekends for practice and games.
Decals showing things you like to do: If you enjoy riding motorcycles or go dirt biking, you might have a decal that expresses that. However, such decals can show people that you have expensive "toys" that one could possibly find in your garage. If you like hunting and have a sticker that expresses that it also shows that you may have expensive equipment at home or in your car. Not only that, but it also shows that you like outdoor sports and will most likely be gone on weekends during peak seasons, leaving your house unattended.
Pet stickers: Stickers showing the type of dog you have and the name of your dog lets people know what your dog responds to as well as if it's a small or large dog. This could encourage someone to enter your house that otherwise wouldn't, because they know the name to say to calm your dog down, and if it's a small dog, they know it isn't much of a threat. Whereas if they didn't know, a simple bark deters many potential robbers or ill-intending individuals from entering your home.
Stickers denoting where you work or live: This one is relatively straightforward. A sticker saying something like "proud resident of" or a sticker from your work simply shows people that that is where you live and work. Allowing them to more easily find you or your house.
Honor roll or school stickers: This one is also relatively straightforward. Having a sticker or decal such as this can tell people where your children attend school. Allowing individuals to more easily find your children or you during certain times.
A personalized license plate: A customized license plate is much easier to recall than a standard license plate. If you unintentionally offend someone or if someone wants to keep track of your vehicle, it is significantly easier to remember a word or phrase than a random assortment of letters and numbers.
Stickers showing where your spouse works: Certain professions can cause family members to be away from the house for extended periods. Having a sticker that denotes a career such as this can allow people to know that your spouse will be away and that your home or family could be an easier target for crime.
Baby on Board: Many people have seen these stickers on cars. It is a simple sticker that lets people know that a baby is in the car. However, this lets others know that your family will potentially have your hands full and be distracted when you get to your destination, making you an easier target.
These are just some of the things your bumper stickers can say about you that you might not have thought of. It isn't necessarily a bad idea to personalize your car and show pride in your family using stickers and the like. Still, it is a good idea to be careful about how much information you're really giving away to strangers on the street. Maybe think of a more discreet way to show your interests, or have stickers that are less revealing of personal information. In the end, it's just important to stay informed and make sure you're really aware of what it is your telling the world about yourself.
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