Men who don't drive

[DieScum]

I can't drive.

Left home when I was 16 and never had the cash from then till I started working. Then avoided learning. Then took some lessons at 26 but found it hard going and a project abroad was a good excuse to stop. Never tried again.

I'm a typical IT nerd and I find my hand to eye coordination is poor so I did find it very difficult to try and learn.

It's obviously a failing and when I start a family I'll have to get my finger out and get on with it.

I'm not really a car person though. I live in the centre of town. A few times a year there is something I can't do because I don't have a car but it's rare. Moving large objects/amounts of stuff is a pain but I've helped mates move flat in the past so I reckon on the rare occasions I have to do that there favours to call in.

Girlfriends moan, obviously and it feels rather unmanly sitting in the passenger seat with your girlfriend driving... but I always kind of think look if I was doing this myself I'd just have taken the train and a taxi the other end... but I wouldn't be going to visit your parents in a quaint rural village on my own...

[Peoplesoft bloke]

For my own part, I mostly dislike driving, even though I have done it since the age of 17 through pure necessity.

Cars and car-men bore me rigid - even though I can probably fix their carburetor while they haven't the remotest clue about the internals of their latest 'wheels'.

I can (and do) mend my own carb - and I do still have 3 cars fitted with same. I don't trust car dudes like Clarkson who can't be bothered with how it works.
I have a good pal who has never learned due to a combination of lack of interest and the fact he spends a good part of his life over the drink drive limit. Had a work colleague who was much the same - pressured into it by our boss and banned a few months later. My mate says it's a bit selfish of him in some ways as his parents get older and could do with his help.

[EternalOptimist]

When I was leaving the army I had a choice of 'return to civvie life' course. I should have done the plumbing course but I chose the driving and car maintenance one instead.
I passed my test in two weeks and then did not drive again for ten years. I did not even have a licence , just a green 'passed' form.

when I eventually cashed it in and got a licence, I was a menace. legal, but a menace. For the first week I thought the gear stick was for stirring the petrol.

[Pogle]

Mr P took lessons for 12 months - never even got as far as the test.
I reckon the roads are much safer because he is not on them!


It did used to really, really annoy me, but now - meh.

[Not So Wise]

Never learned to Drive, when I was younger it was partly so I would never be the "designated driver" and partly because I knew I was stupid enough to Drink and Drive, so best never to learn

Now, every year, it's my new years resolution to learn, and never do because simple truth is except when on Holidays I never actually need to drive, so I never can be that bothered (and just make sure I bring a nice girl with a licence on holiday with me if needed)

[lukemg]

'Any man, over the age of 30 who finds himself on a bus, can consider himself a failure...'
Was this a quote from Maggie T ?

[bogeyman]

The money I have saved over the years is probably many tens of thousands.

Good point. I wonder how much I have squandered on motoring over the years.

I have a good pal who has never learned due to a combination of lack of interest and the fact he spends a good part of his life over the drink drive limit.

Another good point. I live in the sticks and if you want a few pints of an evening you have to walk or cycle (4 miles) or get a bus (but the bus stops at 5.45!) or a rip-off taxi which you need to book a week in advance. No wonder rural pubs are rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

Sometimes the wife condescends to drive me to the pub, and pick me up when I've had a sufficient skinful, but the weeks of penance I have to do in return for that favour make walking 4 miles each way rather more attractive.

'Any man, over the age of 30 who finds himself on a bus, can consider himself a failure...'
Was this a quote from Maggie T ?

She never said it. Labour party propaganda I believe. A hell of a lot of City boys would be 'failures' by that measure... oh! wait...

[SallyAnne]

The attitude of women towards male non-drivers was very revealing indeed.

So what was the attitude of the women then bogey?

I dont really care if a bloke drives or not - my husband doesn't and my dad never did.

I woudl imagine most women would hate it though I guess - they like to be chauffered around and stuff dont they?
I've never had that, so it would never bother me.

Plus, I like a man who drinks! I'd rather have a bloke meet me in the pub and get me mortal, than pick me up from work to take me home.

[SuperZ]

You have to organise yourself around other people and public transport. You don`t have the flexibility to go anywhere you want. In large cities you`re tied to the city.
I feel a little sorry for those who select not to drive.

I live in the sticks and enjoy hiking on coast and moorland, places you could never get to othewise. Even if I lived in London I`d still want the flexibility your own transport provides

[bogeyman]

So what was the attitude of the women then bogey?

I dont really care if a bloke drives or not - my husband doesn't and my dad never did.

I woudl imagine most women would hate it though I guess - they like to be chauffered around and stuff dont they?
I've never had that, so it would never bother me.

Plus, I like a man who drinks! I'd rather have a bloke meet me in the pub and get me mortal, than pick me up from work to take me home.

Exactly. The attitude seemed to be that they want the man to do the driving and feel entitled to be chauffeured. A non-driver was considered less of a useful asset.

I'm not saying all women are selfish, lazy, shallow cows, but some certainly are

With you on the drinking. I never drink and drive though - not even a half.