Can’t drive vs don’t drive

[Peashoots]

Why do people say they “don’t drive”, when they can’t drive? I can’t play the cello or ballet dance, I would say “I can’t play the cello” not “I don’t play the cello” or “I can’t ballet dance” not “I don’t ballet dance”. I think every person I know IRL who can’t drive says “I don’t drive”. Im not talking about people who have a licence but choose not to drive, btw. Anyone else notice this? Doesn’t particularly bother me, just an observation!

Loser

I say can't.

I probably could if I really tried and have failed my test 3 times.

I now can't drive for medical reasons and that's much easier to say, so I go with that!

@GoldenOmber i don’t expect anyone to tell me anything, it was just an observation. You seem a bit touchy about it, to be honest.

I agree @girlfriend44 but some people are really weird about non-drivers. I’ve had people shy away from making plans with assuming I’ll want a lift, and someone at work many years ago spreading rumours that I’d been done for drunk driving when I had to surrender my license due to being officially classed as visually impaired.

‘I think of Don’t drive’ implying you haven’t yet learnt but you could if you tried
it’s quite old fashioned phrase I think, (I’m quite old)

Well, yes, because like I said, people can be total arses about non-drivers and “but why say you DON’T when the truth is you don’t because you CAN’T?” is often a part of that.

Because they could if they tried / threw enough money at the problem / threw enough time at it? Because most people who don’t drive are not incapable but chose not to? Because there are perfectly good reasons not to drive? (Such as the planet is burning what the heck are you doing going around burning fossil fuels to get to a bloody supermarket??)

On the other hand, why are you being so judgemental about minor language issues? Is using the wrong language going to cause mass extinction?

@EatYourVegetables 😂 calm down. See above post 👆🏻

@GoldenOmber well that’s a shame. I can’t imagine why anyone would give a toss if someone else could drive or not. If I could get away with using my car less, I would.

@FairyBatman what? That’s nuts! I hope you pulled your colleague up on her lies.

I don't drive because I can't drive. I also don't play the cello because I can't play the cello.

I can ballet dance, although I don't anymore.

I can't believe people think so much about other people who can or cannot drive

I don't play the cello, because I've never tried it. If I had and it didn't work out or I couldn't because I couldn't afford it I'd say I can't play it.

Anyway, I don't think it matters at all! Oh

I don't know where the 'oh' came from! 😂

I don't think this should really matter to anyone.

I can drive and I do, though I am mostly a very local driver who doesn't like long distance driving.

My 87 year old mother can drive and did for many years (also mainly a local driver). However, due to worsening eyesight and other medical issues she no longer does. She stopped several years ago.

I chose a lifestyle that doesn’t involve driving. It’s an active and conscious choice. I don’t drive. I don’t want to drive. If I was somehow given one of those intensive courses and passed my test within a week, I still wouldn’t want to drive. The lack of a license is less of an obstacle to me driving than the fact that I just don’t really like cars.

This is exactly my situation. Now and again it would be useful to be able to drive, but I get around it and am happy enough with my life. I don't like cars either, and don't spend much time as a passenger unless it is really necessary.

Hmm. I sometimes say I don't drive. I can drive but had my license suspended for medical reasons. I have it back and am insured but having built a life where I don't need it, it will take a need to push me back to regular driving. Don't really see why that is anyone else's concern

@newyeardelurker if you don’t think it’s anyone else’s concern, you’re absolutely not obliged to post an explanation on this thread. Funny that you have really, isn’t it 😊
i just made an observation that I found interesting and thought I’d get other peoples view point. I couldn’t care less if you can’t drive. No need to be salty.

@onlythreenow my brother is exactly like this. Quite enjoys walking or taking the train, has other things he would prefer to prioritise his money on. Doesn’t need a car for work. I certainly don’t judge him for it, totally reasonable choice to make 😁 not sure why this thread has so many peoples backs up.

And now I come to think of it, I’m not actually sure if he says he doesn’t or can’t drive. I’ll have to ask him. 😂

I can drive, but I don't, much. That was your question. Hence my post.

I say I can't drive for medical reasons. Especially at work where I've often felt like a hindrance for not being able to drive (even though my job has hardly any travel!).
Don't drive sounds like you can but choose not to.

Don't or can't..... they are not giving you a lift (or playing in an orchestra) anywhere so why does the language matter?

Because it's a deliberately goady and pointless thread about something that has zero impact on your life?

Because you started it just to have a dig at other people's choice of words to describe their own lives?

But well done you. You can drive and you do drive! Congratulations. You must be so proud.