by sarah (Fri Jan 15, 2010)
To admit
that I can't drive, makes me feel very silly. I feel childish, slightly
inferior, and horribly dependent. Pretending that I can drive has put me in
awkward situations, while admitting that I cannot makes me face awkward
questions: ‘Don't you wish that you could?' ‘Wouldn't it make your life easier
if you could?' ‘Why didn't you learn when you were younger?'
So, it is
time for me to make a decision: either I climb on the eco-bandwagon and claim that
it is for the greater good of the environment and humanity...or I stop lying
about it and bloody well learn.
The
deception of pretending that I can drive all started years ago with my new
boyfriend. Paul could drive. He drove a lovely Audi TT. And to him I was a
strong, independent woman, who currently did not have a car, but could of
course drive, should I need to. Only I couldn't. So, when Paul broke his leg
playing rugby, he offered me his car. Now this was a kind offer, which would
have helped both of us immensely. We were cohabiting at the time, and if I
had taken him up on it, I could have driven us through the rain and wind to and
from work, saving us unpleasant journeys. But instead of coming clean (I had heard
him refer to his sister as ‘totally useless, she can't even drive') I made
umpteen excuses, from the vaguely acceptable, ‘I'd rather walk - I need a blast
of fresh air to wake me up,' or ‘I had too much wine last night, I might still
be drunk,' to the downright rude and lazy, ‘I can't - my nail varnish might
smudge,' or ‘Your colleague is collecting you - I think she wanted to!' (she
didn't - I bribed her). His leg healed, we broke up, and while I learned that
it's probably better to be honest with your boyfriend, I am still of the
opinion that confessing to being unable to drive is not an admission to be made
lightly.
Uttering
the phrase ‘I cannot drive' seems to be akin to confessing that you have an
STD. In response, people tend to put their head to one side and regard you with
pity. They don't quite know what to say and they make sympathetic excuses for
you before you even open your mouth.
I am now married
and have kids, and looming ahead of me are their after school activities. I
haven't had to endure this torture yet, but am assured that in just a few years'
time I shall be expected to make countless journeys to various places,
collecting and dropping off my children on a very tight schedule, whatever the
weather.
So it's
crunch time.
I cannot
think of any reasons not to start learning - after all ‘everyone' can do it
right? It can't be that hard. Although 'everyone'
tells me that ‘it is much easier to learn when you are younger,' and, ‘the test
used to be much easier,' and of course, ‘it is very expensive, and you must
practise between lessons.' Practising could be off the menu - I cannot think of
a friend or family member who would take me on - I get pavement rage for
goodness sake! How will I cope on the road?
And so, I have decided: Let the lessons begin. Time to learn the
theory, do the practice, take the test and stop being ashamed. I'll keep you
posted with my progress. In the meantime, any advice or tips will be
appreciated!
