Help please re what to do

[Chinchilla]

I have a question for you all. I am feeling really worried about it now, and winding myself up nicely about it. So...I thought that I would ask all you lovely helpful posters out there for advice. You'll probably think that I have built it all up in my head, but let's see.

I just had a 'phone call from the teacher of the 'Italian for Beginners' course that I am about to start on Thursday. She basically said that, as I lived in her area, would it be ok for a lift to and from the college. I happily said yes, as it will only take me about 1 mile out of my way, but my dh's reaction was one of 'Bloody cheek'.

I got the impression from the call that it would be a regular thing, although I don't know for certain. My dh said that I should find out if she intends it to be a regular thing, and if so, to ask for a contribution to the petrol costs. The trouble is that I find asking for money really embarrassing, and am dreading asking her. Dh says that I should assume that it was a request for a one-off lift, and treat it as such, until she asks for another lift. However, I have visions of getting to college the next week, and her not being there, because she is waiting for me!

I don't want to be tied to giving her a lift every week, but feel really mean about that. However, I don't know the woman, and would never have had the gall to ring someone up and ask them for a lift. Or, if I did, I would say 'I know that this is a cheek, and it is only for a week or so etc etc...'

So, what do I do? My plan is this:

Give her a lift this week, and when I drop her home, say, 'So I'll see you in class next week then.'

If she asks for another lift the next week, say 'Oh, I didn't realise that it was a permanant thing. In that case would you mind contributing towards petrol money?' This is the really hard thing to do for me. I am tempted to say that, in future, I am not going to be able to give her a lift, as I will have to drop my ds off at my mother's before the class to babysit. This is an out and out lie, and I HATE lying. Besides, is it really a problem to go a mile out of my way to help someone!?

Oh, I don't know what to do. Advice on how to deal with things on Thursday would be great, so I have a plan of action. Also, do you think that I and/or my dh are being unreasonable?

Aaarghhhh!

I agree with SimonHoward for the most part. I think that everyone should have to resit the Highway Code part of the test every few years. I'll bet that everyone is as bad as me and can't remember all the things in it. The driving part is OK IMO, because, as SueDonim says, the more you drive, the more you are experienced.

I also think that, if you were to fail the test, you should have your licence revoked, as an incentive to keep yourself up to date.

Chinchilla, I'm sure you're right - I passed my test in 1985 and I'm sure I would fail miserably any written test on stopping distances, etc. but agree with Suedonim that your driving generally improves with experience.

One thing that really annoys me is foreign drivers over here. They may have passed a test in their country of origin but standard vary wildly. It should be compulsory for visitors to this country on a long-term basis to take some sort of refresher test before taking to the roads here.

Good news - she told me last week that another lecturer will be giving her a lift there and back each week!!! So, all that worrying for nothing!

Copper, I used to live on the number 65 Ealing bus route and wondered that too! Somehow missed all the controversy about driving but that's good news chinchilla!