|
|
Grrrind, Chug, Grrrind, Chug...Jan 12 '00 Write an essay on this topic.Taurusmoon you've inspired me to provide my take on this manual vs. automatic topic. I write this today because I lived through my experience of trying to learn how to drive a manual. I would never jeopardize my life again. Or anyone else's for that matter. Here's my story. Once upon a time I had an interview. I was just out of college and was hot on the trail of getting hired. I had my final round with Procter and Gamble in a few days. The deciding moment. I did not have a car and my greatest concern was getting to this interview. The light bulb goes off in my head. My sister worked at a car dealership and set me up with one of the salesman to test drive a white 280z, they would let me borrow it as a tester for a day. I was scared to death as this sports car was a stick. The salesmen reassured me that this was a piece of cake. So, we get in and start the engine. Grrrind, scrreech, chug, sputter. We started it back up again. GRRRRind, chug, chug and off we go. I was shaking like a leaf. I proceeded to stall my way down Western Ave. I was panicking because I had a line of cars behind me with some very rude and impatient people -trying to get home to their families and a hot dinner (for shame, guys!). We pulled up to the stop sign. I couldn't move, the car couldn't move. The salesman was visibly frustrated and sat in disbelief as I tried and tried to get going. Needless to say, I was almost rear-ended twice, I was given the finger about six times, I was overwhelmed with obscenities. They gave me a nice Volvo Turbo Automatic to take to the interview, which I did not get - because I spelled Procter as Proctor. Phew! I got that out of my system, it has been about ten years. When I met my husband he was flabbergasted that I had never driven a stick except for the time at that car dealership. He tried to persuade me, using all sorts of manipulative tactics. Like "You don't know what fun you're missing..." Leaving me his car (a manual) and calling me from a cool and happening night club "Honey, could you pick me up?, I've had too much to drink...(girlish laughter in the background)".Grrrrrr. We moved to Singapore where cars are an absolute luxury. A Honda Accord at the time was the equivalent of $60,000 US. Over there, a car can go up in value. A manual was the way to go for the price. A significant price difference. Well, the answer was, "I'd rather take a taxi". I was not about to learn how to drive a stick in a foreign country where people drive on the opposite side of the road. We ended up forgoing the car and using public transportation and foot power for two years. Now, back in the states we only have automatic. Why? Because I value the lives of my entire family and I can't very well search for lost pacifiers, dropped sippy cups, turning over a Singin' in the Bathtub cassette, retrieving dropped french fries, doin' a little Mambo #5... all in one go AND try to shift into fourth gear. My tummy rubbing, head patting days are over. And yes, I do like celery.  |
| Read all comments (5)|Write your own comment |
