Whiter van white van man adds colour to his insurance

White van man has taken his fair share of flak over the years, so here's some news that vancover.co.uk hope will bring some colour to his tarnished name.

Definition;' White van man' (WVM); 'unruly road hog clinging to the cheap plastic steering wheel of a light delivery vehicle who frequents his extraordinary grasp of his mother tongue in order to utter unpleasant, often foul-mouthed, dialogue in the general direction of other, (usually evolved) road users and has a unhealthy penchant for soft-porn.'

Ok. Not perhaps the exact description found in the Collins Concise, but by and large how most would describe those that tend to loom large in your rear view mirror. White van man was a phrase coined, and used repeatedly since (to describe drivers of most commercially-aspirated load carriers) in 1997 by the one-time 'Game For A Laugh' host, popular (in certain quarters) Radio 2 disc jockey, and all-round good-egg-shaped-faced Sarah Kennedy. This was in the aftermath of her having some form of minor altercation with one such 'folk devil' who subsequently has suffered an annual lower placing in the league table of life than even the socially ostracised outcast that is, the football hooligan. And fellow Chelsea supporter. Only kidding.

Since the media as the one, misguided voice (excepting the Sun who embrace his icon-like status so much so he has his own column in their paper) jumped on the bandwagon that set out to character assassinate anyone and everyone who has ever got behind that same, cheap plasticcy wheel, they have collectively been labelled as everything from 'aggressive' and 'tattooed', through to 'perpetual tailgater' and 'genial mad bastard'. Whether just or otherwise. And one of the main reasons, or trains of thought behind this, is the fact most of the rest of us, once aggrieved by the isolated actions of say one of these white van men at some juncture, who may, or may not (simply word of mouth spreading) have 'cut us up' perpetuate the myth that they are all as one on the most fragile of assumptions that anyone, in future seen in a white van, must, for all intense and purpose, be a 'mad bastard'. A distinct flaw in humanity you'll concur, but one that until recently has shown no signs of abating.

Until now perhaps, when there's a shift in public feeling. Only ripples on the sea of change as yet, but what normally follows such ripples are strong currents, and eventually, complete tidal change. And it's all thanks to people's perception, as hinted earlier, as to colour. And the emotions and attachments you feel from certain shades and hues. Today, we see more and more silver vans on the road, and there is distinct reason and applied logic behind this seemingly insignificant detailing. Almost subliminal if you like. White is invariably still the predominant colour as seen criss-crossing the roads of the UK, but followed, close on its graffiti'd back doors (which asks the perennial question of whether or not your wife is as dirty as this van) is the silver variant.

Surely we're not suggesting a colour alone can alter people's beliefs as to the competence/attitude of the driver? To a point, yes. We are suggesting just that.

The thing is, silver is not actually a colour, its only a brushstroke away from light grey courtesy of its shiny finish, as you cannot actually create silver from the four primary printing colours. Psychologically though, silver has extremely positive associations. In terms of property it is unquestionably promoted as cool - literally and metaphorically, yet it also conveys the subtle texture and mindset of anything prestige. Think along the lines of the word 'sterling' and 'first class'. Conjuring up as they do aspects of quality and standing. In an altogether discreet and provocative fashion silver is saying you can expect a sterling service from the trade's people who utilise them and house their wares within the confines of. Science and technology is also represented through the colour silver, a modern, hi-tech colour that perfectly illustrates the 'here and now' factor.

Alongside of this, we are constantly informed that silver, aswell as darker and muted colours denotes ambition. Those that opt for these finishes more often than not are recognisable as high achievers. Those that wish to forge ahead in life. Those with smaller goals, tend to go with brighter shades, such as red or green, or even pastels. At one time orange was a popular colour for vans, whereas now it appears dated and aggressive. Definitely not the image the new breed of van drivers want to promote. And as for white? Well, white according to psychologists tells us nothing at all. So by choosing silver, he 'new van man' as he's been labelled (although this time far more positively) is saying that in a few years time he wants to be more than a one man band.

So perhaps, from hereon in, you may wish to prove Sarah Kennedy was wrong all along to class all van drivers under the same name, and in doing so start an unfounded campaign of vitriol against offended sub-culture. And who would have thought something as primeval as colour would help shape a more tolerant and understanding future.

If you wish to insure your van, and yes, regardless of colour - then be sure to get in touch with vancover.co.uk, who will be more than ready to arrange cover for any type of van right here, right now.

Date - 21/09/2006