daisypond
I actually don’t see why not driving is a stick to beat people with. Being able to drive doesn’t make you morally superior, or indicate that you are a proper adult.
@bythemillbond
I wasn’t beating you up for not being able to drive but was amazed you didn’t know a single person who could drive.
I only know one person who doesn’t drive and it is an annoyance to his wife because everything is about how he is going to get from A to B as they live away from public transport as he said he would learn then has never carried on with the lessons.
I know where we live you have to be able to drive. Local supermarket is about 5 miles away and walking isn’t an option and taxis are prohibitive.
Agree with you bythemillpond
I can't imagine a place where not a single person can drive. Most people I know can drive, except maybe for the over 75 age group. They come from a time when you didn't need to drive so much, as everything was within walking distance... work, friends, family, shops, doctors, bus stop, etc...
But now, life is different, families live far away from each other, many people work more half an hour to an hour's commute from where they live, and many people work odd shifts that makes it impossible for them to use buses and trains. In addition, some people live in big suburbs, in a cul-de-sac within a cul-de-sac, within a cul-de-sac, where they are a mile from a single shop or bus stop.
Even when I was a kid (1970s) many women didn't drive, although most men did. But since the 1990s, virtually everyone I know, born after the early 1970s, has learned to drive. People don't like to hear this, but the fact is that even your career opportunities will be hampered by not being able to drive.
And what about when you have kids? What about taking them to hospital appointments, and clinics, and late evening school meetings? What about the big shop every weekend? What if YOU need to suddenly go to hospital, or have a routine check up at a hospital 40 miles away at 9.15am, that you couldn't possibly get to by public transport?
What if your loved ones are hospitalised long-term, or in a home? How are you going to keep getting there and back? Going to depend on someone else taking you? Yes you are. because I know several people who can't drive/won't drive, who try and cadge lifts all the time.
It's such a good life skill to have, and unless you are unable to, because of a health condition, I think it's very important to learn. It's OK for the ones who live in the middle of a city like London or Birmingham or Cardiff, or Manchester, where everything is there on your doorstep, but many people do not live in a place like this! Even so, why would you not want to learn to drive, even if you don't get a car straightaway?!
Some people cry 'but it's sooooo expensive,' but in my experience, the type who say this go to the pub several times a week, smoke, have expensive mobile phones, and go out regularly for meals (pre-covid obvs!) Point is, if they wanted to drive badly enough, they'd make it work, and would find the money. Other people have to!
If others are spending money and time on learning to drive, why should YOU get the benefit from it when you've never bothered to learn?
I would find it a real turn-off if I met a man who couldn't drive/couldn't be arsed to learn. Call me fussy, petty, or whatever you want, but many women feel the same. To me, it shows a lack of motivation, and is a really unappealing trait in a man.
And like HELL would I always be the designated driver!