I Parked My Tesla Cybertruck At A Tennessee Pizza Restaurant And Instead Of Hate, I Received Smiles, Thumbs Up, And Genuine Curiosity About The Rear-Wheel Steering Feature

In certain parts of the country, the response to this angular, stainless steel monolith is not the expected sneer of the automotive purist or the eye-roll of the skeptic. Instead, it is met with genuine enthusiasm, smiles, and the kind of unbridled curiosity that suggests a fundamental shift in what people want from their personal transportation.

Christopher John's experience in Franklin, Tennessee, is a fascinating case study in regional automotive culture. While owners in other, perhaps more cynical, locales report a barrage of "hate" and negative comments, John is living in what he calls an "alternate universe," a place where the Cybertruck is not a controversy but a celebrated novelty.

“I must live in an alternate universe because almost a month owning a CT AWD and I’ve had no hate. Today, I actually got smiles, thumbs up and comments on how cool it is. I went to Mellow Mushroom Pizza in Franklin TN, popped the frunk and sat with my wife eating a slice of pizza while watching some kids and adults river dance in the town square. I heard one guy walk by hating on Biden that he was a criminal (CT inspired Biden hate? lol), another guy commented while I had my window down how cool the truck was and he saw the rear wheels turn not knowing these trucks had that feature. Another lady in Mt Juliet TN looked over and could t stop smiling. The Starbucks employees around here all ask questions about it and seem to like it. So I guess if you love Elon Musk, hate Biden and love Tesla / Cybertrucks, you need to move to TN. The picture, old train depot my Grandfather supervised until his hearing got so bad he couldn’t hear the trains signal and had to retire. He lived in the Franklin Town square. He passed away before I got to know him unfortunately. I’ll post pictures of him with the old steam locomotive that used to be in Centennial Park soon as I find it and another of him in the cab of an old steam locomotive in KY I believe.”

The Cybertruck, in John's Tennessee, is an object of shared, positive curiosity. It's a spectacle, a conversation starter, and a symbol of a certain kind of future. The image of John and his wife sitting in the frunk, eating pizza while watching "kids and adults river dance," is pure Americana, a scene of unexpected domesticity played out against the backdrop of a vehicle that looks like it drove off the set of a dystopian sci-fi film.

The comments John receives are telling. The man who noticed the rear wheels turn, a feature that fundamentally changes the maneuverability of such a large vehicle, is reacting to genuine, functional innovation. The lady in Mt. Juliet who "couldn’t stop smiling" is responding to the sheer, unbridled audacity of the design. The Cybertruck, in this context, is a source of joy and wonder, a welcome break from the monotony of the automotive landscape.

Dave Harman, however, offers a sobering counterpoint from Washington State, a reminder that the Cybertruck's reception is highly regional. Wow - I get hate from the Diesel boys and the Subaru owners, 75% negative to positive for sure, but I'm learning to just laugh it off. I live in WA State, and I guess they don't know how they are supposed to feel about the CT now :) This contrast is the heart of the Cybertruck phenomenon: a vehicle that is either a hero or a villain, depending on your zip code. The "Diesel boys" and "Subaru owners" represent two distinct, established automotive tribes, both of whom view the Cybertruck as a threat to their established order.

The Cultural Geography of the Cybertruck:

• Tesla’s Cybertruck is embraced as a symbol of innovation, audacity, and a certain anti-establishment spirit.
• In all locations, the truck is a conversation starter, forcing people to confront their feelings about the future of transportation.

The historical anecdote John shares about his grandfather, the old train depot supervisor, is a beautiful piece of personal history that grounds the futuristic truck in the deep, mechanical roots of American transportation. The juxtaposition of the angular, electric Cybertruck with the "old steam locomotive" is a powerful image of transition, a quiet acknowledgment that every technological revolution stands on the shoulders of the mechanical giants that came before it.

The Cybertruck, with its stainless steel exoskeleton and full steer-by-wire system, is a genuine leap forward in automotive design. But its true significance lies not in its specs, but in its ability to provoke a reaction. It forces people to talk, to smile, to hate, to question, and to river dance in the town square. It is, in the truest sense of the word, a cultural phenomenon.

The fact that the truck is so polarizing is, ironically, a sign of its success. Mediocrity is ignored; the Cybertruck demands attention. And as Dwayne Fitzpatrick notes from Knoxville, even where there are haters, the positive comments still seem to win out. The truck is simply too interesting to ignore.

This is the new reality of the road. The Cybertruck has broken the mold, and in doing so, it has forced a conversation about what a truck should be, what a car should look like, and what it means to drive a symbol of the future. Whether you love it or hate it, you can't deny that it has personality, and in the often-bland world of modern motoring, personality is a precious commodity. The Cybertruck's impact on traditional pickup design is undeniable. The Rivian R1S off-roading is another example of a truck breaking the mold. The F-150 Lightning's Pro Power Onboard is another innovative feature that sparks debate. The Cybertruck's long-term ownership reality is a story that is still being written.

Where does the Cybertruck fit in your automotive landscape? Are you seeing more smiles or sneers in your area? Does this polarizing design represent the future of American trucks, or is it a passing cultural moment? Share your thoughts on the stainless steel Rorschach in the comments below.

Image Sources: Tesla Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.