1962 Jaguar XKE is a nice-looking car. The gearshift knob from one is a great gift for a teenager in love with cars. However, it is an odd gift for a 5-year-old and and even odder gift to give to someone who will have no appreciation whatsoever for it. Now, if Michael had given this gift to Gordon, that would make perfect sense. I am going to imagine Gordon’s reaction because you know Rhetta’s is going to be “I thought you were going to give me a promise ring.”
Back in 1962 that’s the very car I daydreamed about. Of course it never happened, not even close, but somehow I’m generally happy and contented nevertheless. :-)
I guess you have to accept it in the spirit in which it’s given. It’s something valuable to him even if it’s about as romantic as a pair of old socks. I would just keep it for him and give it back someday since it’ll mean more to him than it does to her.
I’d be SO disappointed….it’s almost like a trick to make a girl think it’s jewelry…even a cheapie necklace. This “gift” reminds me of what a 10 year old might give the girl next door he likes.
It’s a mass-produced piece of molded plastic, but somehow I believe him when he says it has personal meaning to him. We’re a pretty fúcked up species, huh?
Something he has treasured since he was a little child has significance. Even if it isn’t the 18 carat ring some of you feel was warranted.
That attitude is the same as a friend of mines’ EX who never understood when he he built her a nice display case for her sports trophies, (she was a competition swimmer) matching the style of her bedroom. He MADE it for HER.
That gift from Michael is his treasure, which he is giving her. It SHOULD mean a lot.
Not a romantic, but the fact that he gave her something that means a great deal to him, says a lot about his affection for her. But times change things.
An early step in developing the “give of one’s self” approach to life and relationships. Not always a bad thing. Youthful and maybe a silly item by some standards but it is something that means the world to Michael and he is gifting/entrusting Rhetta with it. That’s a big psych move for some folks, esp a younger person fairly new at life interactions.
Given that Lynn usually changes the years whenever a date is mentioned in dialogue (even though everything around it remains dated) I wonder if this was originally the gear shift from a 1933 car?
If the 5-year-old boy snatched the Jaguar gearshift knob, just imagine the poor Jaguar car owner out looking to replace it! Because you just can’t put any old gearshift knob on a Jaguar E-type car! That’s sacrilegious.
Enter.Name.Here 9 months ago
Her: ………………………. (speechless…)………………………….
Odd Dog Premium Member 9 months ago
No. Michal you “Shouldn’t” have!
howtheduck 9 months ago
1962 Jaguar XKE is a nice-looking car. The gearshift knob from one is a great gift for a teenager in love with cars. However, it is an odd gift for a 5-year-old and and even odder gift to give to someone who will have no appreciation whatsoever for it. Now, if Michael had given this gift to Gordon, that would make perfect sense. I am going to imagine Gordon’s reaction because you know Rhetta’s is going to be “I thought you were going to give me a promise ring.”
paulscon Premium Member 9 months ago
Not sure that was what she was expecting, but they have a close relationship and it might make more of an impression than some jewelry.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member 9 months ago
Well, thoughts of a ring, locket or bracelet crashed. All she can do is smile weakly and say " thanks" and NOT preface it with “gee”.
French Persons Premium Member 9 months ago
Right now she’s thinking “Michael and Gordon are definitely a couple”.
cmxx 9 months ago
Back in 1962 that’s the very car I daydreamed about. Of course it never happened, not even close, but somehow I’m generally happy and contented nevertheless. :-)
Tantor 9 months ago
I have to share this one. Michael knows what girls like
Macushlalondra 9 months ago
I guess you have to accept it in the spirit in which it’s given. It’s something valuable to him even if it’s about as romantic as a pair of old socks. I would just keep it for him and give it back someday since it’ll mean more to him than it does to her.
James Deveney Premium Member 9 months ago
Oh the roads that could be taken!
dlkrueger33 9 months ago
I’d be SO disappointed….it’s almost like a trick to make a girl think it’s jewelry…even a cheapie necklace. This “gift” reminds me of what a 10 year old might give the girl next door he likes.
cjbanas 9 months ago
Good for shifting the relationship into park.
'IndyMan' 9 months ago
If a gearshift knob is a sign of ‘his love and affection’ and I were Rhetta, I’d worry ! ! !
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member 9 months ago
It’s a mass-produced piece of molded plastic, but somehow I believe him when he says it has personal meaning to him. We’re a pretty fúcked up species, huh?
DOOFUS-2 9 months ago
When she’s 50 and looking back, she will remember that as the best gift she ever got. Takes maturity to appreciate the significance.
The Pro from Dover 9 months ago
Now put it around your neck.
Won’t you wear my gear shift nob around your neck.
To tell the world I’m yours by heck.
The Great_Black President 9 months ago
The relationship of Michael and Rhetta is dead-da.
Terminal Frost Premium Member 9 months ago
Something he has treasured since he was a little child has significance. Even if it isn’t the 18 carat ring some of you feel was warranted.
That attitude is the same as a friend of mines’ EX who never understood when he he built her a nice display case for her sports trophies, (she was a competition swimmer) matching the style of her bedroom. He MADE it for HER.
That gift from Michael is his treasure, which he is giving her. It SHOULD mean a lot.
DawnQuinn1 9 months ago
Not a romantic, but the fact that he gave her something that means a great deal to him, says a lot about his affection for her. But times change things.
jango 9 months ago
What a nob.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member 9 months ago
Sadly, Michael is really, really going to miss that gearshift knob.
Izzyrider 9 months ago
He really has great taste in cars, one of the all time greatest classic automobiles. How does a five year old figure that out?
ilovecomics*infinity 9 months ago
Atta boy
EXCALABUR 9 months ago
How Romantic!
joefearsnothing 9 months ago
“Where will I wear it?”
pheets 9 months ago
An early step in developing the “give of one’s self” approach to life and relationships. Not always a bad thing. Youthful and maybe a silly item by some standards but it is something that means the world to Michael and he is gifting/entrusting Rhetta with it. That’s a big psych move for some folks, esp a younger person fairly new at life interactions.
ladykat 9 months ago
It’s the thought that counts.
Foob 9 months ago
If he was smart, he’d have given her the stoopid bear.
calliarcale 9 months ago
Well — it’s certainly personal!
The Gun Doctor 9 months ago
Michael is showing that he holds on to things that he likes. Your move, Rhetta.
ChuckAnziulewicz 9 months ago
Mike, you are one smooth smoothie.
bookworm0812 9 months ago
Umm…..Ooooooookaaaaaaay. Although I would get it if they shared a live for classic cars.
g04922 9 months ago
Well, boys place value on things girls just can’t appreciate….
Watchdog 9 months ago
That’s my kid
diegot 9 months ago
My father’s boss had an XKE back in ‘62. That was some fine machine, although I don’t remember the shift knob.
John Jorgensen 9 months ago
Given that Lynn usually changes the years whenever a date is mentioned in dialogue (even though everything around it remains dated) I wonder if this was originally the gear shift from a 1933 car?
9thCapricorn 9 months ago
Hope Rhetta returns it to him in a few years because he valued it and did not need to give it to her.
huew 9 months ago
Now Rhetta will forever remember Michael as a knob who once gave her a knob.
Gordo4ever 9 months ago
My kind of guy….
pchemcat 9 months ago
It’s probably worth some money now Rhetta. Old car parts are hard to find.
CoreyTaylor1 9 months ago
Rhetta does not qualify as a ‘classic’!
dcdete. 9 months ago
If the 5-year-old boy snatched the Jaguar gearshift knob, just imagine the poor Jaguar car owner out looking to replace it! Because you just can’t put any old gearshift knob on a Jaguar E-type car! That’s sacrilegious.
Dragonfox 9 months ago
I don’t care what anyone says that is a gesture of true love
Robert Nowall Premium Member 9 months ago
You shouldn’t have done that, Michael Patterson. I don’t mean you shouldn’t have, I mean YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE.
Scoutmaster77 9 months ago
Missed it by “that much.”
Curiosity Premium Member 9 months ago
Oookaaay! Probably not the best gift, though it obviously means a lot to him.
raybarb44 9 months ago
Now that means a lot to him. Whether it is important to her determines if she is a keeper or not…..
namelocdet 9 months ago
Michael has good taste… In cars, not gifts
hudie48 9 months ago
It means a lot to him; but I am guessing that it is not something “special” to her. He did not get in touch with his feminine side.
robtgordon 9 months ago
This isn’t a token of love; it’s a placeholder.
dawnsterner59 9 months ago
Eeeek!! Not THAT!!! (gasp!)
hagarthehorrible 9 months ago
Fellas, you need to still grow up. Don’t hurry. The fringe of childhood and adulthood is the most exciting part and should be long enough.
lindz.coop Premium Member 9 months ago
Nothing says love quite like a gearshift knob.
Terminal Frost Premium Member 9 months ago
The nastiness of some of the comments is sad.