Options
Never Learning To Drive.....Why ?
Centaurion
Posts: 2,060 Forum Member
✭✭✭
Any reasons ?
I have two sisters, both married with access to cars, but never learned to drive, I think I've just figured out why.
1. They quite like getting chauffeured about. everywhere.
2. It totally absolves them from doing loads of onerous domestic tasks because they feign helplessness by having no access to transport.
" oh what a pity I can't look after Mum and Dad a bit more, I'd visit a lot more often but the buses are so infrequent round here and I can't drive can I ? "
" Instead of us visiting you this Xmas, you can come to us, because when Jim has too much to drink I can't drive back home can I ? "
" Jim's at work, can you run me to the hospital for my appointment, because, as you know, I can't drive can I ? "
For God's sake, learn to drive eh ?
I have two sisters, both married with access to cars, but never learned to drive, I think I've just figured out why.
1. They quite like getting chauffeured about. everywhere.
2. It totally absolves them from doing loads of onerous domestic tasks because they feign helplessness by having no access to transport.
" oh what a pity I can't look after Mum and Dad a bit more, I'd visit a lot more often but the buses are so infrequent round here and I can't drive can I ? "
" Instead of us visiting you this Xmas, you can come to us, because when Jim has too much to drink I can't drive back home can I ? "
" Jim's at work, can you run me to the hospital for my appointment, because, as you know, I can't drive can I ? "
For God's sake, learn to drive eh ?
0
Comments
It's like you say, they like being ferried about. And as long as you carry on obliging them, it's a bit silly for you to complain about it.
Don't you do it for them if you don't want. Then it's between them and their husbands and you've got no cause for complaint.
True, they might think you're being a meanie, but that's no worse than you thinking they're idle.
I do drive, but I won't pretend it was an easy process, and the cost was crippling at the time. I can wholeheartedly see why it just isn't for some people.
So depends on your location and travel to work patterns.
To be fair on the guy, it's probably too expensive for him.
I know people who work in Manchester who would rather catch the train to work than drive their cars and so can imagine it's much worse in London.
I don't believe everyone is suited to driving, there are enough cars on the road as it is and I personally believe I'd be a terrible driver. If someone doesn't want to drive then it's up to them, it's very expensive and requires a lot of responsibility, I can't be bothered with any of that because I have the town on my doorstep so I pretty much walk everywhere I need to be.
And for loads more it won't make a scrap of difference! Are you only irritated by this one guy, or by people who choose not to drive generally? I've never had a driving licence and it hasn't stopped me from achieving anything. In fact the world would probably be a better place if fewer people were dependent on their cars.
He learnt, applied for and passed his test nine weeks later.
Most people didn't learn to drive when I was a kid.
Then I lived in cities for years.
Then when I worked all over the country I was arriving at the next office refreshed after a nice comfy train journey and all my work done, while my workmates were knackered from driving (Aberdeen to Cardiff once - she arrived at 2am).
I've owned three cars (an Alfa Romeo, a race built Mini Cooper with a plastic tie-on bonnet 'cos of the engine size, and a Morris estate with a flooor starter) and have never ever driven
I remember we had a calendar in the sixth form common room in which we'd all inked in our 17th birthdays. Most of us passed as soon as possible after that long-awaited date.
It was a bit gloomy for the ones who had theirs in August!
They'd be less people to give you a lift here, there and anywhere, though....:D
I wouldn't need them, as there would be better public transport!
Or smart enough to learn
Or to frightened to learn
I would have loved to have learned, but I dont have it in me
Exactly.
Since when do you need to be 'smart' to learn to drive a car?
If every car user was 'smart' do you think we'd have as many accidents on the roads?
Edit: there seem to be multiple targets now!
I agree with this post.
We live in Greater London and the transport links are fantastic. We can get anywhere, quicker and more cheaply, via train, tube (or at a push, coach). I passed my test a few years ago but have never needed to get a car though I'm qualified to drive if I need to. I also find train journeys much more pleasant than doing the same journey via car (say, if a driver friend wants to go somewhere)
For the record - I never ask for lifts and am quite prickly about it. Just because I don't have a car doesn't mean I should treat others as taxi-drivers. Overall, it is far, far cheaper for me to use public transport and the odd taxi than to own and run a car. I'm also a lot fitter - I'm constantly amazed at how many people won't walk to the local shops but drive everywhere instead.
I could never be the sort of person who relies on a partner / other people for lifts so if I lived in a more rural area, yes I would have a car / learn to drive (if I didn't already).