Why do so many people put private school bumper stickers on their cars?

[Anonymous]

Because we got it and my kid wanted me to put it on the car. I said sure, because why not. A few times people have asked me about it, so it's also cheap free advertising for my kids' school.
I also have one from my public school kid's music boosters club. Again, because it's fun to share my pride/excitement/joy in something my kids are doing and a community of which they're a part.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Because they can. I wouldn’t due it do to safety issues, would not want the public to know where I take my kids to school, but others can. They’re proud of their school.

There’s a thin line between pride and bragging. I don’t attach my tax return to my car.

Sorry but it’s weird.

I'm the OP and I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds this weird.

It’s always annoyed me and the responses you’re seeing that it’s being done for the practical reason of drop off is just complete bullshit. It’s done because of pride, which goes before the fall as they say. Posters should be honest at least.

So private school families aren't allowed to feel a sense of shared identity and community and display a sticker on their car. But public school families, sports families, camp families, etc. etc. are just fine to do so? Ok.

I feel all those things without a sticker on my car (or even a yard sign!) but if you need the magnet then I guess I shouldn't discriminate.

We have a private school because my kid was super excited at receiving the magnet and wanted to display it the way he has seen other groups (soccer, hockey, public prek, churches, public elementary) being displayed on other cars. We have a piano one on there too and a sport one because he "earned" those too after years of participation and was excited about them. Judge away.

Well you might want to teach your kid to be more humble. There’s no need to advertise all of your successes to the whole world. Have you ever thought about that?

How many different people do you think are seeing my car every day and scrutinizing the magnets on it? You're weird. Why don't you go attack some Tiktok folks for bragging about their... whatever they're bragging about on Tiktok these days?

Nice deflection.

It doesn’t matter who sees it or how often. The question posed was why do it. You said because your kid was proud. And your kid wants others to know of his accomplishments. That’s bragging and should be discouraged.

Pride = / = bragging
I don't know where you are getting this. This is about you. Either you are sensitive and have a chip on your shoulder, or you are simply trolling.

Pride is felt internally. Expressing one’s pride in one’s self to others is bragging.

Go forth and churn some butter or something, Prudence. Just remember not to mention said butter to anyone.

So we agree. I’m not saying I never brag. What I’m saying is that this is bragging.

How is the view from your glass house?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pride. An identifier for security personnel when you are at the school. Conversation starter with other school parents if you notice somebody getting into their car at the grocery store or wherever, that also has the same school magnet as you.

Crazy to use an easily accessible item as a secure id

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't even imagine. Seems like nothing but a naked flex.

The school gives them to you upon admittance. It's not like people seek them out.

To encourage you to attend. For marketing. For bragging.

Own it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is about community and identity. It’s similar to bumper stickers that show the sport you play, the marathon you run, the college your kid attends, and the values and interests you have. It’s not much different than a school sweatshirt, tshirt, hat, or key chain. It shows support and promotes the school’s popularity. That is why every private school, every college and university, and even public school have school stores either online or in-person. I have a lot of pride and identity around the flagship public university I attended 25 years ago. I wear the University gear all the time and closely follow the sports teams. I wear the gear to sporting events. It’s pride and identity.

Wearing the gear to sporting events supporting the team is an entirely different thing. You’re supporting the team—not yourself.

But others think it’s bragging.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Because they can. I wouldn’t due it do to safety issues, would not want the public to know where I take my kids to school, but others can. They’re proud of their school.

There’s a thin line between pride and bragging. I don’t attach my tax return to my car.

Sorry but it’s weird.

I'm the OP and I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds this weird.

It’s always annoyed me and the responses you’re seeing that it’s being done for the practical reason of drop off is just complete bullshit. It’s done because of pride, which goes before the fall as they say. Posters should be honest at least.

So private school families aren't allowed to feel a sense of shared identity and community and display a sticker on their car. But public school families, sports families, camp families, etc. etc. are just fine to do so? Ok.

I feel all those things without a sticker on my car (or even a yard sign!) but if you need the magnet then I guess I shouldn't discriminate.

We have a private school because my kid was super excited at receiving the magnet and wanted to display it the way he has seen other groups (soccer, hockey, public prek, churches, public elementary) being displayed on other cars. We have a piano one on there too and a sport one because he "earned" those too after years of participation and was excited about them. Judge away.

Well you might want to teach your kid to be more humble. There’s no need to advertise all of your successes to the whole world. Have you ever thought about that?

How many different people do you think are seeing my car every day and scrutinizing the magnets on it? You're weird. Why don't you go attack some Tiktok folks for bragging about their... whatever they're bragging about on Tiktok these days?

Nice deflection.

It doesn’t matter who sees it or how often. The question posed was why do it. You said because your kid was proud. And your kid wants others to know of his accomplishments. That’s bragging and should be discouraged.

You are scolding and should be discouraged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is about community and identity. It’s similar to bumper stickers that show the sport you play, the marathon you run, the college your kid attends, and the values and interests you have. It’s not much different than a school sweatshirt, tshirt, hat, or key chain. It shows support and promotes the school’s popularity. That is why every private school, every college and university, and even public school have school stores either online or in-person. I have a lot of pride and identity around the flagship public university I attended 25 years ago. I wear the University gear all the time and closely follow the sports teams. I wear the gear to sporting events. It’s pride and identity.

Wearing the gear to sporting events supporting the team is an entirely different thing. You’re supporting the team—not yourself.

But others think it’s bragging.

Not every opinion is equally valuable to everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never once thought of it as bragging. I’ve always thought of it as advertising. Maybe people in my neighborhood or at work who are considering the school will ask me about it. I’m happy to talk about it. Same for sports leagues, camps etc.

it also does make it easier to find your car in the Costco parking lot.

Oh now you're bragging about having a Costco membership? You just don't quit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Because they come in the mail with admission acceptance but I guess you wouldn’t know

Doesn’t matter. It’s still weird.

Why?

Look at me! Look at me!!

You seem bored enough and desperate enough for engagement that you need something to look at. You're welcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is about community and identity. It’s similar to bumper stickers that show the sport you play, the marathon you run, the college your kid attends, and the values and interests you have. It’s not much different than a school sweatshirt, tshirt, hat, or key chain. It shows support and promotes the school’s popularity. That is why every private school, every college and university, and even public school have school stores either online or in-person. I have a lot of pride and identity around the flagship public university I attended 25 years ago. I wear the University gear all the time and closely follow the sports teams. I wear the gear to sporting events. It’s pride and identity.

Wearing the gear to sporting events supporting the team is an entirely different thing. You’re supporting the team—not yourself.

But others think it’s bragging.

Not every opinion is equally valuable to everyone.

Like OP’s

[Anonymous]

My kids asked me to put it on the car. Was I supposed to say no honey, we don't want people to think we're bragging about your school? Am I supposed to be teaching them to be ashamed about the school they attend? Apologetic? Why? Sounds like you're judging me for sending my kids to private school. Not cool man. They like it there and they're doing well. FWIW we also have other magnets on our car for sports teams, interests, etc. The exact combo of magnets does help us find our car in a parking lot, which is nice, since the vehicles we drive are pretty common around here.

[Anonymous]

Same reason people order don't step on me license plates.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Because they can. I wouldn’t due it do to safety issues, would not want the public to know where I take my kids to school, but others can. They’re proud of their school.

There’s a thin line between pride and bragging. I don’t attach my tax return to my car.

Sorry but it’s weird.

I'm the OP and I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds this weird.

It’s always annoyed me and the responses you’re seeing that it’s being done for the practical reason of drop off is just complete bullshit. It’s done because of pride, which goes before the fall as they say. Posters should be honest at least.

So private school families aren't allowed to feel a sense of shared identity and community and display a sticker on their car. But public school families, sports families, camp families, etc. etc. are just fine to do so? Ok.

I feel all those things without a sticker on my car (or even a yard sign!) but if you need the magnet then I guess I shouldn't discriminate.

We have a private school because my kid was super excited at receiving the magnet and wanted to display it the way he has seen other groups (soccer, hockey, public prek, churches, public elementary) being displayed on other cars. We have a piano one on there too and a sport one because he "earned" those too after years of participation and was excited about them. Judge away.

Well you might want to teach your kid to be more humble. There’s no need to advertise all of your successes to the whole world. Have you ever thought about that?

How many different people do you think are seeing my car every day and scrutinizing the magnets on it? You're weird. Why don't you go attack some Tiktok folks for bragging about their... whatever they're bragging about on Tiktok these days?

Nice deflection.

It doesn’t matter who sees it or how often. The question posed was why do it. You said because your kid was proud. And your kid wants others to know of his accomplishments. That’s bragging and should be discouraged.

Pride = / = bragging
I don't know where you are getting this. This is about you. Either you are sensitive and have a chip on your shoulder, or you are simply trolling.

Pride is felt internally. Expressing one’s pride in one’s self to others is bragging.

Go forth and churn some butter or something, Prudence. Just remember not to mention said butter to anyone.

So we agree. I’m not saying I never brag. What I’m saying is that this is bragging.

How is the view from your glass house?

At least one of us is honest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is about community and identity. It’s similar to bumper stickers that show the sport you play, the marathon you run, the college your kid attends, and the values and interests you have. It’s not much different than a school sweatshirt, tshirt, hat, or key chain. It shows support and promotes the school’s popularity. That is why every private school, every college and university, and even public school have school stores either online or in-person. I have a lot of pride and identity around the flagship public university I attended 25 years ago. I wear the University gear all the time and closely follow the sports teams. I wear the gear to sporting events. It’s pride and identity.

Wearing the gear to sporting events supporting the team is an entirely different thing. You’re supporting the team—not yourself.

But others think it’s bragging.

I have never been to an athletic event of any kind to support any team where it ever occurred to me that anyone wearing the team gear is “bragging.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids asked me to put it on the car. Was I supposed to say no honey, we don't want people to think we're bragging about your school? Am I supposed to be teaching them to be ashamed about the school they attend? Apologetic? Why? Sounds like you're judging me for sending my kids to private school. Not cool man. They like it there and they're doing well. FWIW we also have other magnets on our car for sports teams, interests, etc. The exact combo of magnets does help us find our car in a parking lot, which is nice, since the vehicles we drive are pretty common around here.

Oh I see you’re one of THOSE people. Just so you know, when people see your car they either roll their eyes or laugh at you.