subject: Why To Learn To Drive a Stick Shift Car [print this page] Do you think that learning to drive a stick shift car is unnecessary? Well, I have news for you. You might miss out on some incredible things in life if you do not know how to drive a stick shift. How is it possible that not knowing how to drive a manual transmission car at any way affect your life? It seems silly, doesnt it? Well, it is not. Allow me to share with you a little story. Recently, in my quest to learn all about South America, I met a beautiful woman in the country of Uruguay. She offered to show me around the whole country, but we needed to rent a car. I was so excited to spend time with her and to experience the best of this country down in the south of South America. Well, when we entered the rent-a-car place, she chatted with the personnel and arranged for a vehicle for five days. Then, we were escorted out to the location of our vehicle and we each got inside the car. I looked down and noticed that it was a manual transmission car. In my life, I have never rented a car that has a manual transmission. I didnt even know that this was a possibility because I thought that all cars in rental car agencies had automatic transmissions. Well, I was wrong. My beautiful, young friend saw the look on my face as I noticed that it was a manual transmission and she asked with incredulity, you do know how to drive one of these, dont you? Fortunately, the answer to this question was yes. I did not know how to drive a stick shift. I was not fantastic at first. Driving a stick is like learning a new language: you need practice to iron out the wrinkles. As the rust wore off though, I was able to negotiate the roads just fine. However, imagine if my answer would have been, No, I do not know how to drive a manual transmission. First, I would have lost all the respect of my new friend. Men, girls expect you to know how to drive a manual transmission and if the time comes, and you do not know how, you will not likely win any favors from her. But, second, the life experience that I gained on that five day trip provided amazing memories that will be with me for a lifetime. These are my personal reasons for learning how to drive a manual transmission. Basically, it is a life skill that you need. Even if your own car does not have a stick shift, which mine doesnt, I guarantee you that you will be presented with a situation in which you need to be able to drive a stick shift. So, if you do not know how to drive a manual transmission, the time to learn is now!
