Grown Men who can't drive. Do you find them weird?

TerrorFirmer · 19-02-2014 04:54PM

SpaceTime wrote: »

I'm surprised at anyone (without a medical reason) who lives in Ireland (one of the most car dependent countries on earth) who can't drive.

Male or female, if you're not driving by 19… I would be wondering why not.

Good for you.

shs08 · 19-02-2014 04:55PM

jester77 wrote: »

Why is it weird?

I don't drive and don't have a car. Just never needed one, I prefer to live where everything is close by. I was bored about 10 years ago and decided I'd do my driving test, joined the local driving school, did my exams, did the minimum required motorway, city, countryside and night time driving hours, passed the first-aid course and driving test.

That was the last time I drove a car.

So you've passed your driving test and can drive. Well done.

HooohRaaah · 19-02-2014 04:56PM

When people question somebody as to why they can't drive they seem to get very touchy. That says it all.

Butterface · 19-02-2014 04:57PM

HooohRaaah wrote: »

People say "oh there's public transport I don't need to drive"
I find it hard to believe that these people would prefer to be at the mercy of the public transport timetable and to sit in a packed bus that having their own car.

Nobody said anything about owning a brand new car so I don't get what you're trying to say there.

Why have I left out half the population? Basically it's more accepted if a woman can't drive.

The people who complain the most about public transport always seem to be the people who use it the least. Yeah, it's overpriced in Ireland, but any route I've ever had to rely on (having lived in Galway, Dublin, Belfast and Waterford) has never let me down.

I'm very used to using public transport - planes, trains and buses on a regular basis. I've only had cause to rent a car on one occasion in the past 8 years and that was only because we were going off the beaten track a bit down in Kerry.

I completely understand the need to own a car when you're living in the countryside and the nearest bus stop is 2 miles away, but not if you're living in a city.

SpaceTime · 19-02-2014 04:58PM

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Good for you.

Well it's reasonable to wonder why not.

Ireland is extremely hard to function in without at least being able to drive a car. Owning one isn't necessary, but even if you live and work in an urban area it's vital to be able to drive for some things.

jamesbere · 19-02-2014 04:58PM

I can drive but don't have a car, because financially I cannot afford to keep one on the road, I'm within walking distance of work and very close to an aldi and super value but if I could afford it, I would put a car on the road.

dm09 · 19-02-2014 04:58PM

HooohRaaah wrote: »

Personally I find it odd if a grown man can't drive. Would anybody else share that opinion?

Yes Kent, Yes I do!

rubadub · 19-02-2014 05:00PM

HooohRaaah wrote: »

Why have I left out half the population? Basically it's more accepted if a woman can't drive.

Dunno how you come up with that idea.

HooohRaaah wrote: »

Personally I find it odd if a grown man can't drive. Would anybody else share that opinion?

reading this you seem unsure about men, but have your mind made up about women.

HooohRaaah wrote: »

There just seems to something really strange if a man is over 24 years of age and can't drive.

The men are "really strange", do you not even find it remotely strange if women don't drive?

Any reason for the contrasting view? or did any people who told you its more acceptable for women come up with any ideas?

shs08 · 19-02-2014 05:00PM

Butterface wrote: »

The people who complain the most about public transport always seem to be the people who use it the least. Yeah, it's overpriced in Ireland, but any route I've ever had to rely on (having lived in Galway, Dublin, Belfast and Waterford) has never let me down.

I'm very used to using public transport - planes, trains and buses on a regular basis. I've only had cause to rent a car on one occasion in the past 8 years and that was only because we were going off the beaten track a bit down in Kerry.

I completely understand the need to own a car when you're living in the countryside and the nearest bus stop is 2 miles away, but not if you're living in a city.

Public transport doesn't exist outside Dublin. It would take me 3 hours by public transport to make a journey across Cork City that would take me 15 minutes by car.

Renegade Mechanic · 19-02-2014 05:00PM

If youre living in a city them I guess not but down here in "Bogland" I think I would actually. Fair enough, lost licence or hit the dole etc, that can happen to anyone. But never learning at all? Yeah Id find it surprising. And annoying having to cart your fat hole everywhere:p

Dyr · 19-02-2014 05:01PM

Boggers tend to find it weird

wolfpawnat · 19-02-2014 05:01PM

I am 27 (female) my partner is 30 in April, neither of us can drive.

burnhardlanger · 19-02-2014 05:03PM

I can drive but I don't have a license or a car.

I could drive no problem in an emergency situation.

But I don't have to pay for;

Car Loan and it's interest
Tax
Insurance
NCT fees
Servicing fees
Fuel
etc

Judge me all you want, I'm saving a fortune

jamesbere · 19-02-2014 05:03PM

shs08 wrote: »

Public transport doesn't exist outside Dublin. It would take me 3 hours by public transport to make a journey across Cork City that would take me 15 minutes by car.

You would walk across cork city in 3 hours, the bus services in cork city are pretty decent, I've never had a problem.

HooohRaaah · 19-02-2014 05:04PM

burnhardlanger wrote: »

I can drive but I don't have a license or a car.

I could drive no problem in an emergency situation.

But I don't have to pay for;

Car Loan and it's interest
Tax
Insurance
NCT fees
Servicing fees
Fuel
etc

Judge me all you want, I'm saving a fortune

You know how to drive. I'm talking about fellas who can't

anncoates · 19-02-2014 05:04PM

I learned to drive when I was around 31 IIRC as I needed to. I didn't need to before then. Simple really.

SpaceTime · 19-02-2014 05:04PM

Bambi wrote: »

Boggers tend to find it weird

No it's actually a bit like saying you can't use the internet.

Dublin is actually extremely car dependent by any standards.

Alf Veedersane · 19-02-2014 05:04PM

HooohRaaah wrote: »

People say "oh there's public transport I don't need to drive"
I find it hard to believe that these people would prefer to be at the mercy of the public transport timetable and to sit in a packed bus that having their own car.

In the last ten years I've been working, I've used public transport to get to work. I could count on one hand the number of times I've been inconvenienced.

Which is why I don't feel the need to buy a car right now. When I do, I will.

jimgoose · 19-02-2014 05:05PM

I'd consider that a little unusual, but certainly not "weird". I know a good few fellas who can't drive, and a good few more who hold and maintain driver's licenses but don't really bother with the actual car bit. Most of these live in the city, mind.

Renegade Mechanic · 19-02-2014 05:05PM

Bambi wrote: »

Boggers tend to find it weird

Yeah

RGDATA! · 19-02-2014 05:06PM

SpaceTime wrote: »

Well it's reasonable to wonder why not.

Ireland is extremely hard to function in without at least being able to drive a car. Owning one isn't necessary, but even if you live and work in an urban area it's vital to be able to drive for some things.

you seem to to be hinting that non drivers better have a good explanation.
what kind of reasons would satisfy you?

c68zapdsm5i1ru · 19-02-2014 05:06PM

I think adults who can't drive can be a nuisance. Obviously some are happy to make their own way to places but others constantly expect lifts or for meeting places to be always organised around their lack of ability to drive, or for other family members to do the driving on holidays or to always be the one to not drink around Christmas time so they can be the chauffeur to family parties and get togethers.

Butterface · 19-02-2014 05:07PM

shs08 wrote: »

Public transport doesn't exist outside Dublin. It would take me 3 hours by public transport to make a journey across Cork City that would take me 15 minutes by car.

Have you ever actually used public transport? You keep repeating that it doesn't exist outside Dublin. Fair enough, some people would prefer not to have to rely on it, but many people are happy enough to live without a car.
If I have to get somewhere and I'm not arsed getting a bus, then I phone a taxi. Have you heard of those? It's a car right, and you pay somebody else to drive you somewhere in it.

bee06 · 19-02-2014 05:07PM

Depends, if they live in the country and have to get lifts from their mom to get around then yeah. If they live in the city/suburbs and have other transport options then no.

SpaceTime · 19-02-2014 05:07PM

jimgoose wrote: »

I'd consider that a little unusual, but certainly not "weird". I know a good few fellas who can't drive, and a good few more who hold and maintain driver's licenses but don't really bother with the actual car bit. Most of these live in the city, mind.

Not owning a car or only driving occasionally isn't the same as just not ever learning how to drive.

Ihatecuddles · 19-02-2014 05:08PM

Not really. If they don't need one and can manage without one, then great.

My brother in law doesn't drive, but my sister has to drop him to the train every morning and collect him every evening. When she comes to Dublin at the weekend, and he doesn't come up with her, he has to get a taxi to and from wherever he wants to go. Even to the local shop because it's a good bit away. It shouldn't, but it annoys me..mainly because she's a complete pushover and even if she didn't want to get up at 6am to bring him to the train she wouldn't say anything to him!

Alf Veedersane · 19-02-2014 05:08PM

Killian Unimportant Martinet wrote: »

I think adults who can't drive can be a nuisance. Obviously some are happy to make their own way to places but others constantly expect lifts or for meeting places to be always organised around their lack of ability to drive, or for other family members to do the driving on holidays or to always be the one to not drink around Christmas time so they can be the chauffeur to family parties and get togethers.

Most is spelled m-o-s-t.

jimgoose · 19-02-2014 05:08PM

SpaceTime wrote: »

Not owning a car or only driving occasionally isn't the same as just not ever learning how to drive.

Yes, obviously I know that. I'm just musing!

Butterface · 19-02-2014 05:10PM

mauzo! wrote: »

Not really. If they don't need one and can manage without one, then great.

My brother in law doesn't drive, but my sister has to drop him to the train every morning and collect him every evening. When she comes to Dublin at the weekend, and he doesn't come up with her, he has to get a taxi to and from wherever he wants to go. Even to the local shop because it's a good bit away. It shouldn't, but it annoys me..mainly because she's a complete pushover and even if she didn't want to get up at 6am to bring him to the train she wouldn't say anything to him!

If you switch the genders in your story above, I'm sure the OP would find it acceptable.. because as we now know, it is less acceptable if a man cannot drive, than if a woman cannot.

wolfpawnat · 19-02-2014 05:11PM

Killian Unimportant Martinet wrote: »

I think adults who can't drive can be a nuisance. Obviously some are happy to make their own way to places but others constantly expect lifts or for meeting places to be always organised around their lack of ability to drive, or for other family members to do the driving on holidays or to always be the one to not drink around Christmas time so they can be the chauffeur to family parties and get togethers.

Alf Veedersane wrote: »

Most is spelled m-o-s-t.

What crappy friends you both have. I never expect anything from someone. I carted home a 10kg wide box yesterday by walking and using public transport, it never even entered my head to ask someone for a lift. A lot of people I know are like that (not all, but a lot)

Grown Men who can't drive. Do you find them weird?

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