More of a rant really, as I know I'm not being unreasonable!
Both me + my dh are non-drivers, don't have a problem with using public transport + taxis, but are also keen cyclists + walkers too!
As today is the first real spring day we've had, we thought we'd make the most of it + walk back from town, (just over a mile), instead of taking a bus/taxi as normal. We hardly had anything to carry anyway, had been out for lunch as the dc's are with their grandma, + picked up a few bits.
Anyway, half way home we heard a car tooting + it was a friend of mine, stopping + insisting we had a lift home. My dh replied firmly, "No thank you, we're enjoying the sunshine + walking off our lunch!" She shrugged + drove off looking a bit offended, even though we'd thanked her anyway.
A few roads down we came across two parents I know from school, on their way back from the park with their son. The boy's dad said, "Wait there you two", (to us). "I'll dash round the corner + get my car so I can run you home, you don't want to be walking!" We again insisted we were fine, then just 5 mins from home one of our neighbours pulled up, "I can see you've got carrier bags, you haven't walked from town have you, get in!!"
At this point we gave up + accepted the lift, with this neighbour telling us never to hesitate to ask for lifts etc!
I know people are being kind, but we're non- drivers by choice, my dh's job comes with a company car so we use the money in lieu of that to pay for any transport we need, + we've deliberately positioned ourselves in a central area! It does annoy us that people seem to think we struggle, unless people with cars can't imagine enjoying walking anywhere!
Our dc's often turn down lifts too, if they want to scooter home from school or have been promised a bus ride on a double decker! Just wondered if any other non-drivers have this problem as we sometimes feel a bit patronised.