I think it is fair to say that Americans, on the whole, really like bumper stickers. Bumper stickers, are large stickers with short messages written on them that attach to the back of a car. They are just another way for people to express themselves and share their opinion, which really fits with the American belief in freedom of speech. Just like people’s thoughts and beliefs, bumper sticker messages are quite diverse including messages that are: religious, political, humorous, sports related, regionally affiliated, and more. People can even have their own unique bumper sticker made to say whatever they want if they can’t find one that already has the right message. Bumper stickers are also a way for Americans to assert their individuality when driving in a sea of similar looking cars. (America after all also has a very strong driving culture and the average American commuter spends 38 hours a week in their car!) Drivers use the bumper stickers they see on cars to judge other drivers.

Bumper stickers have been a part of American culture for a while and they only seem to gaining in popularity as well as spreading to drivers/cars around the world.  Bumper stickers first made their debut in the United States around World War II, when they were most often in the shape of flags. They soon became a way of advertising, and then started to become political. In the United States around election season you will see bumper stickers for political candidates all over the road on the back of cars. Now there is a bumper sticker for just about every group, cause, or idea.  Some bumper stickers are quite creative even.  More than anything I appreciate a funny bumper sticker, something that makes me laugh, especially when I’m sitting in traffic for a while.

Below are some pictures of common bumper stickers seen in the United States. The best part about these bumper stickers is you don’t have to try and read them while in a moving car!

Here is a creative sticker with a message about the beauty of the earth, as art.

People commonly put this bumper sticker on their car to let others know they have run a marathon, which is 26.2 miles long.

Here is a sticker associated with a place. People often get bumper stickers like from their favorite vacation spots or when traveling to new places.

Here is a sticker associated with a cause.

This bumper sticker promotes peacefulness among people of different faiths and spiritual beliefs, by encouraging everyone to “coexists.”

Lastly, here is a picture of the car of a person who really likes to speak their mind through bumper stickers!