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Hopefully I'm not breaking rules posting this but... if I am, just tell me or delete it
It's awesome to find a place for people who hate driving ... I feel fairly alone in this, because I'm surrounded by drivers and it saps the energy from me, sometimes.
When I was 18 and fresh out of school, my parents enrolled me into a driver's ed course ... and I was into it for a bit, until the actual driving started. I have control issues, and I just didn't feel in control when behind the wheel. And after seeing half a dozen videos about accidents occurring because of new drivers, it made me even more nervous.
Half way through the course, I realized it was screwing everything up. Before, I could drive in a car, and not worry at all, just trust in the person driving... But then, while a passenger in my dad's car, I started yelling at him to watch out for nothing that was a legit problem... It made me worried, paranoid, and above all SCARED. and I hated it.
So one night, I told my parents I was going to quit the class. They insisted I finish it, because they already paid for the rest of the course, and I would've wasted a bit of their money. I agreed, but said afterwards, I'd never drive again.
Two years have passed now, and my driver's permit has expired, and my parents (and others) both have begged me to get my driver's license a thousand times now, but I've held strong. My hometown has bus service, taxis (Both of which my parents said they did NOT have when they began their "learn to drive" argument, which is a crock) so I see no need.
Anyway, there's this newby's story and hello everyone.
It's awesome to find a place for people who hate driving ... I feel fairly alone in this, because I'm surrounded by drivers and it saps the energy from me, sometimes.
When I was 18 and fresh out of school, my parents enrolled me into a driver's ed course ... and I was into it for a bit, until the actual driving started. I have control issues, and I just didn't feel in control when behind the wheel. And after seeing half a dozen videos about accidents occurring because of new drivers, it made me even more nervous.
Half way through the course, I realized it was screwing everything up. Before, I could drive in a car, and not worry at all, just trust in the person driving... But then, while a passenger in my dad's car, I started yelling at him to watch out for nothing that was a legit problem... It made me worried, paranoid, and above all SCARED. and I hated it.
So one night, I told my parents I was going to quit the class. They insisted I finish it, because they already paid for the rest of the course, and I would've wasted a bit of their money. I agreed, but said afterwards, I'd never drive again.
Two years have passed now, and my driver's permit has expired, and my parents (and others) both have begged me to get my driver's license a thousand times now, but I've held strong. My hometown has bus service, taxis (Both of which my parents said they did NOT have when they began their "learn to drive" argument, which is a crock) so I see no need.
Anyway, there's this newby's story and hello everyone.
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Re: I'm new here
Thu, June 14, 2007 - 8:47 AMWelcome!! No you are not breaking any rules...
i had a similar experience in an adult drivers ed course.
Every time I just ride in a car, I get stressed out.
I don't see how people can do it. -
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Re: I'm new here
Thu, June 14, 2007 - 3:26 PMThanks! Yeah I don't get it either... Oddly enough, the people who I know online don't really bother me about it, but everyone I know in real life always has something to say. -
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Re: I'm new here
Fri, June 15, 2007 - 10:51 AMIt used to be that in my household, my boyfriend was the only one who could drive out of 4 people....two of them guys, all of us in our 30's.....but the two guys moved elsewhere.
Either there are lots of adults out there who don't drive, or we had an abnormally large concentration of them around us. -
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Re: I'm new here
Sat, June 16, 2007 - 4:21 PMLucky!
I'm the only one in my household who can't drive. Sometimes I think if I didn't love Illinois so much, i'd willingly move to New York heh.
Got another "You should learn to drive" speech from my aunt today :(
They're gonna be surprised when I move out of here and never ask for a ride somewhere again. lol -
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Re: I'm new here
Sat, June 16, 2007 - 7:59 PMNow an online friend of mine is giving me the odd treatment about not driving, she's acting like I've never mentioned it before :( This day couldn't get much more annoying, haha.
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Re: I'm new here
Mon, June 18, 2007 - 3:22 PMWelcome.
I know how ya feel - Most people think human beings are all wired to just loooove cars and looove driving, when it just isn't the case.
I like to consider us non-drivers the normal ones... :) -
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Re: I'm new here
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 1:37 AMWorks for me! We had my aunt over and she mentioned that she knew driving was scary... but that my cousin or someone took till she was 24 to learn to drive... and I was really wondering, "Should I care?" but then my Mom turns to me and goes, "See! That's four more years! We won't give up on you yet!" like me not driving was a terminal disease or something. -
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Re: I'm new here
Wed, June 20, 2007 - 2:43 PMTo quell the relatives, you could start quoting the high odds of accidents for someone who does drive. I hear most drivers are "very likely" to end up in a car crash or hospital from vehicular injury at some points in their lives. Also, some research shows that drivers have more pollution-related illness than non-drivers.
I'm sorry I don' t have the actual links or sources for you now, but if you look around, you should be able to find them! -
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Re: I'm new here
Thu, June 21, 2007 - 12:17 AMthanks for the advice but I doubt it'd help :D All I can do is keep doing what I'm doing now. They'll get over it eventually I suppose. -
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Re: I'm new here
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 5:14 PMI understand your situation completely. I'm 20 years old and I don't have my license. I've had my permit 3 times, and I've been through driver's ed, but I've never bothered to take the test. Truth is, I hate driving. I too think it is a control issue. My family is constantly telling me that life is easier when you drive, but I just don't by that. My dad even makes fun of me in front of my friends about me not driving. And none of my friends understand either. So I totally understand where you are coming from, and it's nice to know that I'm not alone in the world of adult non-drivers -
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Re: I'm new here
Wed, June 11, 2008 - 8:58 PMWelcome, Dah! I think "not driving" is the wave of the future. You are on the cutting edge of cultural evolution. I believe we shall see more people spurning autos as unnecessary units that represent conspicuous consumption, selfishness, and danger.
When I was fourteen, my mother stopped making me eat meat, so I stopped doing it. I was ridiculed and chided by everyone at after school pizza parties and on dates in restaurants. I didn't eat meat for six years, and no one was able to talk me into it (it just made me squeamish--no lofty principles inspired me). I'm 52, so that was before the vegetarian craze. I enjoyed being the underdog, and a trailblazer. I think what you are doing, and you too, Chelsea, is blazing a trail for future people to follow. You're gutsy, and I like that! -
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Re: I'm new here
Fri, June 13, 2008 - 9:21 AMMeat is essential to eat .
Don't be foolish . -
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Unsu...
Re: I'm new here
Wed, July 2, 2008 - 7:14 AMSynerGY,
I guess you missed the phrase, "didn't eat meat for six years". I am 52 now, and resumed eating meat at the age of twenty!
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Re: I'm new here
Wed, April 29, 2009 - 1:23 AMChelsea,
I'm sorry. What your "DAD" did is so freakin' rude. That is not a nice thing to do to your child. Get a bike or rollerblades. That way you can get where your doing and have a good time.
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Re: I'm new here
Sat, July 5, 2008 - 2:33 PMHey, as long as you can get around, don't worry about not driving. Since you mentioned bus service where you are, you'll be fine. It sounds like you assessed your feelings about driving pretty well, and expressed your concerns thoughtfully as well. I know, I've had people rag on me about not driving as well, it seems that there are plenty of people who really don't like it if you don't drive, almost as much as people who get all defensive when you say you have no TV. In both cases, people like us are bucking huge cultural things that everyone else just goes lock-step along with.
Best of luck to you!
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Re: I'm new here
Wed, May 27, 2009 - 9:35 AMright on!
plenty of people don't need to be driving a car, period
probably most can't even begin to admit it
there is no end to the lame rationale that many drivers use to
maintain a system that simply doesn't serve us
driving is like our form of government
to say that it is lacking, inadequate, even outdated, outmoded
are all woeful understatements of the actual situation
i'm for a mobile society, but not a car crazy one!
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Re: I'm new here
Sun, May 31, 2009 - 7:40 AMThe funny thing is I love cars - Mercedes, Cadalacs, BMW... I like their design, etc but myself do not drive. I would prefer to use Public Transport. Being in the area I live in, where 99% of people do drive, and there is no public transport, it is hard for me. -
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Re: I'm new here
Sun, June 7, 2009 - 7:28 PMyes i don't drive either but love 70's cars. they're so cool.
everyone i know drives but i am frozen with fear at the moment about earning to drive again. simply because i'm scared i'll hit a pedestrian, adult or child, in built-up areas/be in a head-on or side-on crash/need to pass large trucks or cars at speed/or hesitate/make wrong decisions at intersections. maybe i don't have that natural passion to drive? -
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Re: I'm new here
Mon, June 8, 2009 - 8:14 AMI think for what you describe I would probably agree that you don't have the natural passion for driving and that probably goes for me too. Not that there is anything wrong with that regardless of what some people will tell you. Many (most?) people have a fear or phobia, or at least lack interest in doing something that most people do everyday. -
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Re: I'm new here
Fri, June 19, 2009 - 8:43 AMglad i'm not alone, lol. i've always felt 'left out' becuse most people do this thing (driving) everyday, except me. my mum told me that if i really wanted to do something (in reference to driving a car), I'd be doing it. but thats where my lack of interest lies, in driving. i agree, everyone must lack passion in differnet area/s.
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Re: I'm new here
Mon, June 8, 2009 - 1:00 PMA comment and a question. First, my comment: Even though I don't drive, I do indeed, for one, anyway, have a "passion" to drive a motor vehicle. However, I happen to be "mentally challenged", which makes it rather difficult for me (anyway) to earn a driver's license. But I DO consider myself intelligent and "educable".
Which brings me to my question: If I am truly "educable" and intelligent, despite my mental illness (which is a "mild" form of Schizophrenia, combined with "mild" Bi-polar Disorder, both of which are being regulated with medication), is it OK for me to at least TRY to attain a driver's license, or do you think I'm better off NOT driving at all?
If I ever DO get a license, I think I would settle for a SMALL scooter, moped, or other gas-powered, two-wheeled vehicle, especially one that DOESN'T (under Florida law) require license plates, registration, or insurance. -
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Re: I'm new here
Fri, June 19, 2009 - 9:02 AMI feel ya, I too would like to be able to drive/learn to drive again/practice, however I am too paralyzed with fear due to 'anxiety with depression'. Its so stifling ,and has meant I've avoided most other things in my life, especially social situations (though I'm trying hard to work on it!). omg it sucks... -
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Re: I'm new here
Fri, June 19, 2009 - 5:18 PMI feel you, too, brother.
You know, since I've decided never to drive again (I did drive a little after high school, but only with permits, NOT licenses), I've considered getting a electric bicycle, but it would be too expensive, and the laws are still a bit too restrictive. :-( So, there are only two options left open for me...riding a regular (pedal-only) bike, and just plain, good old walking. Maybe it's better (cleaner and healthier) this way...I no longer feel the "need for speed", anyways! ;-)
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Re: I'm new here
Thu, December 10, 2009 - 4:24 PMI'm 41 and don't drive. I have several reasons for not driving as well. I was in several accidents but always as the passenger and I my best friend through high school was the worst driver ever! I don't doubt my abilities to be able to drive. I practiced driving with my parents and my Dad bought myself and my younger brothers a car to share but I have always been on the quiet side and so I didn't have that many friends or places to go so my brothers took ownership of that car and crashed it a couple of times as well, and finally they totalled it...so, no more car! I just didn't need to use it when we had it and when it was gone it was not a big loss to me because my friends lived nearby and never minded giving me a lift so that is just how it was. As I got older, not driving became a little bit of a hinderance but I still was able to find someone to carpool with and so as long as I helped with the gas cost; I had a ride I could depend on. I hate being pressured and bothered with comments on the fact that I don't drive. I am married now and my husband does all the driving and now that we are considering having children I realize that necessity is going to take a hand and be the reason that leads me to learn. If I could literally never have to learn to then I probably wouldn't. I used to joke that if I won the lottery that I would buy a luxury car and hire a driver to take me wherever I wanted to go and I honestly believe that my friends and family thought I was just saying that to irritate them further, but if I won the lottery tomorrow I would do just what I always said I would. I don't have the desire at all. I can see the convenience of it, and who really loves waiting for their ride to arrive? However...even that hasn't ever made me want to have a car of my own. When people comment now my response (much to their dismay) is WHATEVER! Why does everyone care that I don't? None of the people that are irritated by my inability to drive are ever the people driving me anywhere so why do they care? It's none of their business and not their problem...to those people I say...Step Off!!
