Do people look down on other who dont own cars?

12-03-2012 11:14pm

I dont drive, I'm driven.

/Monocle

Sitec · 12-03-2012 11:25pm

Lando Griffin wrote: »

Yes and they deserve to.

Someone who can get a loan to buy a car is probably in a better financial situtation than someone who hasent tried to get a loan to have a car.

Funny this thread should happen today as it was only yeaterday myself and the OH was visiting her sister.

They live in a housing estate ( mainly 3 bedroomed semis and not one 2012 car in the whole estate ).

When we got to our ( mainly 4 bedroomed detched ) estate I counted 7 2012 cars.

Are you Mrs.Buckets Husband?

"RICCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHAAAAARRRDDDDDDDDD"

Babybuff · 12-03-2012 11:30pm

I look down on car owners. I look down on most people tbf

DoneDL · 12-03-2012 11:30pm

Great thread

. Anyone who looks down on other people isn`t worth knowing EVER.

desertcircus · 12-03-2012 11:38pm

I can't imagine buying a car in Dublin. I'm living a full twelve kilometres outside the city and it's not particularly tough doing without. I tried timing my commute; thirty minutes flat by road bike, 35 by hybrid bike, about an hour by bus, and I'm genuinely afraid to see how long a car takes.

The journey home might be slightly faster by car (but only slightly - I used to see the same Aston Martin DB9 at Leeson Bridge every day, and then again while I was slogging up the hill to White's Cross when it finally caught up again), but the journey inwards, particularly when school's on, is horrible.

I know there are definitely jobs which make a car necessary - my girlfriend's probably going to have to get one once she qualifies as a teacher, as she's expecting to have to do a fair bit of substitute work to start off - but if you work in the same office Monday to Friday, and it's in a city (and let's face it, if you're driving into Dublin at 8am on a Monday morning, you probably do, and it probably is) then driving to work is a decision I honestly cannot understand.

micropig · 12-03-2012 11:41pm

DoneDL wrote: »

Great thread . Anyone who looks down on other people isn`t worth knowing EVER.

Luckily, you're beneath us and your opinion doesn't count:p:D

Babybuff · 12-03-2012 11:42pm

DoneDL wrote: »

Great thread . Anyone who looks down on other people isn`t worth knowing EVER.

too busy looking down on you to give a crap

hattoncracker · 12-03-2012 11:48pm

I have a theory on this one.

When I was 18, I left my small hometown and moved to Dub. Despite consistent nagging from the mother, I refused to learn to drive for the sheer simple fact that 1. I wouldn't use it, and 2. It's an expense I could well live without what with rent, bills and everything else!

The only people I knew in Dublin for the whole time I was living there who had cars were people who lived at home and didn't have to pay rent, but still nagged me because I didn't drive. Now I've moved to Limerick, still pay rent (about 40% less than what I was paying), and am learning to drive at the age of 25. Do I regret not doing it sooner? Yes, but only because of the new el retardo learning system, the cost of which is totally crippling.
When you can live comfortably with rent, bills, AND running your own car, then you've got it made, IMO!

I don't judge people who don't drive, but drivers sure did judge me!

pixelburp · 13-03-2012 12:06am

I'm a recent convert to the commute by car, after I changed jobs near the end of the year. I only got my licence at the start of 2011, so at the ripe old age of 30, I was a very late arrival to the world of driving. I don't honestly see what the fuss is about - it's an expensive, stressful pain in the arse.

The reason why I left it late was quite simply because I never had a practical need; everywhere I needed to be - be it professionally or personally - could be achieved by a combination of public transport. Happily most of my jobs were near bus / train corridors that overlapped with where I lived. Socialising tended to be in the city centre, so it was all good. Sure I had to juggle taxis sometimes, but honestly - it still works out so much cheaper than a motor. That said, I should have got my licence much earlier than I did, as it would have driven the insurance down a little more when I eventually bought my first car.

I only got my ass in gear - see what I did there - when I moved jobs & suddenly had a commute without a particularly handy public-transport option (Bueamont -> Clonskeagh). So the car was bought, the budgets juggled & I can honestly say I miss public transport.

Whilst the freedom a car gives you is undeniable, public transport made travelling a more pleasurable activity. Yes, even standing in the cold & rain at a bustop is preferable to clutch-brake-clutching your way across the city centre; desperately avoiding every suicidal cyclists & douchebag BMW driver intent on killing you. I miss being able to read my book, relax and generally enjoy the world go by as I'm (essentially) chauffeured around town. Plus it was cheaper, god it's so much cheaper.

So uhhh.. in answer to the original question, no I don't look down on people without cars; I envy their true freedom.

Edit: Oh and since getting the car, I've become less fit & put on weight. That really sucks; if nothing else public transport is a simple way of keeping fit.

Babybuff · 13-03-2012 12:13am

pixelburp wrote: »

I'm a recent convert to the commute by car, after I changed jobs near the end of the year. I only got my licence at the start of 2011, so at the ripe old age of 30, I was a very late arrival to the world of driving. I don't honestly see what the fuss is about - it's an expensive, stressful pain in the arse.

I agree, driving is completely over rated. I got my first car at 22 and needed it at the time as I had a school going child and I worked on the outskirts of town so it was essential. I hated driving and I still remember the stress, none of my friends drove so I was used as a taxi ferrying people around too, such a pain in the arse. Was on the way to pick up the kid one day when some dumb bint drove her car into mine and shunted me into another car. I called it quits after that and it took about two years before I was able to sit in a car without my muscles tensing up. I walk pretty much everywhere now, I live in the centre of my city so everything is within walking distance. If I want to go anywhere long distance I get a bus. I'm fitter, less stressed and financially better off without one.

The Agogo · 13-03-2012 12:20am

bubblefett wrote: »

I've no issues with peope who don't own a car.
I hate the lil boy racers out in daddy's car though.
And find the lil boy racers out in mammy's micra adorable.

That's me! Just wish she didn't put flower-shaped stickers all over the back of it though :mad:

TreesAreCrowd · 13-03-2012 12:26am

Sort the school children out and you sort out the traffic issues.

Driving, even in Dublin city, is a dream when it's summer time/the kids are off school.

Roisy7 · 13-03-2012 11:16am

My mom never learned to drive, she is in her late 50s now and I doubt she's gonna at this stage! It was just her and me at home and it was a bloody pain in the arse in someways growing up. I'm from a fairly big town with good public transport but all my friends, matches, events were out in the country.

People look at her with total shock when she says she doesn't drive.

Personally, I'm currently learning, but it would have been so much handier-and cheaper- to have a car at home to practice in instead of getting lessons every week. I'm on lesson 15 or so

I don't even want to think about how much I've spent on learning to drive, or how much I will spend if I ever can afford a car

paddyandy · 13-03-2012 11:22am

If they were'nt so much trouble and expense i'd have one but people are always complaining about parking or traffic or something .I don't need one anyway .

mickrock · 13-03-2012 11:40am

pixelburp wrote: »

Yes, even standing in the cold & rain at a bustop is preferable to clutch-brake-clutching your way across the city centre

Switch over to an automatic car if you do a lot of start/stop driving.

They're much more relaxing.

Nothingbetter2d · 13-03-2012 11:41am

Lapin wrote: »

People in double decker buses look down on everyone.

so do aircraft pilots

unkymo · 13-03-2012 12:31pm

Roisy7 wrote: »

My mom never learned to drive, she is in her late 50s now and I doubt she's gonna at this stage! It was just her and me at home and it was a bloody pain in the arse in someways growing up. I'm from a fairly big town with good public transport but all my friends, matches, events were out in the country.

People look at her with total shock when she says she doesn't drive.

Personally, I'm currently learning, but it would have been so much handier-and cheaper- to have a car at home to practice in instead of getting lessons every week. I'm on lesson 15 or so I don't even want to think about how much I've spent on learning to drive, or how much I will spend if I ever can afford a car

My mother was 54 when she started to learn,failed the test twice but passed on the third go. Never too late I suppose!

ED E · 13-03-2012 12:41pm

2 Wheels 4 Life

Nothingbetter2d · 13-03-2012 12:41pm

unkymo wrote: »

My mother was 54 when she started to learn,failed the test twice but passed on the third go. Never too late I suppose!

lol my 82 year old granny renewed her driving license last year... she has never driven a car in her life

she even gave away my grandad's car to my aunt after grandad had his stroke, and died a few months later.

ED E · 13-03-2012 12:43pm

Nothingbetter2d wrote: »

so do aircraft pilots

ISS got you all :P

Mike 1972 · 13-03-2012 12:57pm

Do people look down on other who dont own cars?

Generic AH response:

OMG THERE ARE ACTUALLY PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE THEIR LIVES DIFFERENTLY TO ME.....HOW DARE THEY.....HOW BLOODY WELL DARE THEY....KILL THEM ALL......KILL THEM ALL NOW I SAY......THEYRE ALL SCUM

Whether the individuals under discussion are people who own cars/dont own cars/have licences but dont own cars/own cars but dont have licences/steal cars but have a special car-stealing licence is entirely besides the point.

crusher000 · 13-03-2012 3:42pm

I wish i could manage without the car and envy does that can live without one . The cost of running a car is so dear. 675 euro tax, 386 insurance, 55 nct annually as my car is now 10 years old, 30 euro a week diesel. If I could get rid of it in the morning I would. My work place is 18 miles from my home and in the summer when the mornings are brighter I cycle to work.

Hal1 · 13-03-2012 3:56pm

Well...link

LuckyLloyd · 13-03-2012 4:32pm

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Nothing wrong with people who dont have a car but i would find it very strange if someone was reaching their late 20's and still didnt have a license.

Why? Millions of people in the developed world who are physically and financially able to drive choose not to. Why are they all "very strange"?

noxqs · 13-03-2012 4:58pm

I don't want a car as it's a fantastic waste of money.

Maintenance
Petrol price (ever increasing it seems.)
Insurance
Cost of purchasing the car

Versus -> Bike/Walking.

Unless you need a car due to lack of other options - why bother? It's not like a car is a status symbol anymore - even people on the dole drive cars. So who cares.

Marty McFly · 13-03-2012 5:08pm

Whether or not you need a car owning a car does give you a lot more freedom in life to do as you please, you can get up and go without worrying about the how, were and when. The only people who generally say they have no need for a car are those that have never driven. Even in Dublin public transport is not amazing might be to other parts of the country but by other major citys it pales in comparison.

Also I hate public transport nothing worse than getting stuck beside so junkie, or fat sweaty fcuker.

BLACKEN · 13-03-2012 5:26pm

Jesus this tread got big! :P YAY go me!

right im only 21 and live in the ass end of monaghan, but it would be great to have my own transport for work/college...... but then again i dont have alot of spare cash and i dont want to be a taxi! Right FECK IT i'm getting a motor bike!

Eoin · 13-03-2012 10:31pm

foxyboxer wrote: »

IMO anyone who doesn't drive should wallow in the riches they've accrued by not spending on annual tax and insurance, weekly petrol, interest payments on the 5 year lease loan to buy the car in the first place.

If I didn't have a car, my daily commute would go from about 1 hour a day to about 3 hours.

Whatever I might save would not even come close to making up for all that lost time.

pixelburp wrote:

Whilst the freedom a car gives you is undeniable, public transport made travelling a more pleasurable activity. Yes, even standing in the cold & rain at a bustop is preferable to clutch-brake-clutching your way across the city centre; desperately avoiding every suicidal cyclists & douchebag BMW driver intent on killing you. I miss being able to read my book, relax and generally enjoy the world go by as I'm (essentially) chauffeured around town. Plus it was cheaper, god it's so much cheaper.

I think you might be one of the lucky ones to have such a good experience with Irish public transport.

Even though I was on a supposedly well served bus route, I ended up driving into work as it rarely took that much longer. I didn't have to worry about timetables that were complete fiction. I didn't have to worry about trying to wedge myself onto an already over-filled bus, or putting up with knackers further ruining everyone's commute. And my car was an auto, so it was a very relaxing drive, even in city driving.

GaryIrv93 wrote: »

. I'm aware of the disadvantages of doing tests in automatic cars - the restricted licence BS. IMO it kind of bullies people out of doing their tests in automatics. People make their own decisions in life whether to drive whatever type-of-transmission car, and so don't exactly deserve to be looked down on

It's not BS, it makes perfect sense.

Tar.Aldarion · 13-03-2012 11:15pm

I don't need to drive in dublin, so I don't. If my situation changes I will get a license. Doesn't make sense to have a car atm.

Giselle · 13-03-2012 11:16pm

Public transport in urban areas is perfectly feasible for getting around, so no, I don't look down on anyone who chooses not to drive.

Provided they don't assume I'll happily assume the role of their unpaid personal chauffeur.

Roadtrippin · 13-03-2012 11:20pm

A lot of people around Dublin avoid getting a car since there is plenty of decent public transport around (although not everywhere around Dublin).
In a lot of other cities/places a car (even if it is a ****ty one) is a necessity from a certain age onward, particularly once you're finished with college.
I find these days way too many undergrads have cars when they really don't need them... They live on campus or around the corner from college and still drive to classes. How lazy can you get! Carbon footprint, people!!!

I find people in cars younger than my 97 one generally look down on me

I do feel particularly self-conscious about the judgmental looks from the 4x4 drivers with their fancy halogen high-beams blinding me on the motorway

FueledByAisling · 13-03-2012 11:33pm

OneArt wrote: »

If I have to move to a place with sh!tty public transport then I will get a car. Otherwise I'm not wasting a f*cktonne of money on transport which means I have to be sober to use it...

I've noticed in Germany everyone seems shocked that I'm not aiming to buy a car as most people here drive by the time they're 23 or so. I don't really understand it though, I live in a city, Germany has one of the best public transport systems with overgrounds, undergrounds, buses and intercity trains that run all night... Why the HELL would I waste my money on a car?

So unless I move to the middle of nowhere I'm sticking with the U-Bahn.

The main thing I miss about Germany is the ubahn and the buses
:mad:

ziggy23 · 13-03-2012 11:37pm

I'm 28 and Just started driving:o
Am sick of relying on buses etc but I did feel a bit of pressure from people too.

namloc1980 · 13-03-2012 11:39pm

I hate having a car however due to a serious lack of public transport options (and no I don't live out in the middle of nowhere) I have no option but to have one. Horrible waste of money they are.

LH Pathe · 14-03-2012 12:39am

Of course they do, but I refuse to be coralled n forced to grow up fast at all. so I'll never own one.. seems more of a profoundly altering commitment than keeping a gf. Besides there's too many on the road. grlfirends.. cars.. girlfriends driving cars, god forbid... no. Just no. also them 'boy racers' make it seem really naff

playpink · 14-03-2012 12:46am

cop on! is it that black and white to you eejits...anyone can drive a car, sure theres plenty of them out ther just driving around :O no license.. shock horror...u lot would wanna crawl out from under that rock ur living under!

micropig · 14-03-2012 12:52am

playpink wrote: »

cop on! is it that black and white to you eejits...anyone can drive a car, sure theres plenty of them out ther just driving around :O no license.. shock horror...u lot would wanna crawl out from under that rock ur living under!

Nothing is ever black and white

it's just very, very, very, very dark blue

hattoncracker · 14-03-2012 12:56am

BLACKEN wrote: »

Jesus this tread got big! :P YAY go me! right im only 21 and live in the ass end of monaghan, but it would be great to have my own transport for work/college...... but then again i dont have alot of spare cash and i dont want to be a taxi! Right FECK IT i'm getting a motor bike!

mid-monaghan myself.. Its essential in that area.. I got out when I was 18, but I go stir crazy when I'm home and have to ask for lifts!!

Kev.OC · 14-03-2012 2:29am

I don't look down on people who don't drive. I look, if I'm honest, a little suspiciously on people who don't have a licence (I should point out that I live in an area where the public transport is poor at best). I do look down on people who have no intention to ever learn. After years of being the only one of my close friends with a car, I got sick to the teeth of having to drive people around. For example, if I wanted a game of poker, at my house, I'd have to spend half an hour driving to everyone else's house to collect them. Then another half an hour afterwards to drop them home. It gets old fast.

On a side note, I absolutely love driving! I couldn't do without a car (or a motorbike, as of last October

).

jmckelly · 14-03-2012 2:45am

No, I don't look down on people who don't own cars. I've had my full licence for 23 years now and have owned a car on and off. During the years that I used public transport I was slightly richer. They are a huge expense now with the increase in tax and fuel, but if it's the price I have to pay for the freedom I've got, then it's worth it.

uch · 14-03-2012 3:18am

BLACKEN wrote: »

So my question is in day to day life do people look down/be little others who don't own their own transportation?

I notice this too when it comes to meeting the opposite sex too, however i'm of the opinion that it helps keep potential gold diggers away but it can be said that maybe it shows lack of progress in ones life.......... discuss! :-)

No I don't

Do people look down on other who dont own cars?

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