The Rules of the Gentleman

[Peter Crowe]

I just found this and forwarded the Rules to all my friends with son's of age to learn it. Seems much of this has been lost. The thing that strikes me is that most young me "Can't drive a stick shift"... What has happened???

Only in those countries (like the USA) where passing your road test on an automatic transmission gets you an unrestricted car driving license. In the UK and Europe you must pass on a manual geared car to get an unrestricted license. Indeed in Britain you must be able to use your clutch to do a hill start without rolling backwards to pass the road test.

[artificer]

I just found this and forwarded the Rules to all my friends with son's of age to learn it. Seems much of this has been lost. The thing that strikes me is that most young me "Can't drive a stick shift"... What has happened???

It's odd, but apart from my time in High School where I worked at an auto detailing shop and would drive 10-20 cars a day, I've never driven an automatic with any regularity.

The 2 times a year I'm FORCED to drive my wife's car (which I loathe with a passion) I find myself madly searching for the clutch pedal and having to fight not to shift the automatic transmission lever.

Only in those countries (like the USA) where passing your road test on an automatic transmission gets you an unrestricted car driving license. In the UK and Europe you must pass on a manual geared car to get an unrestricted license. Indeed in Britain you must be able to use your clutch to do a hill start without rolling backwards to pass the road test.

This is a fantastic idea- although somewhat unnecessary here, it's actually nearly impossible to FIND a standard transmission car in the US anymore. You actually need to go out of your way to find one (barring Subaru, the sportier Hondas, and some German cars).

ith:

[justbud]

I find myself wanting to use my feet for the wrong actions after piloting an aircraft, on cross-country flights with multiple stops, and transitioning back to my stick-shift car.

I presented the originally posted photo to the undergraduate Chapter of my Fraternity, and they are now searching for poster versions to put up on the wall of the Chapter House.

Great post!