Playing taxi...

Anyone around here date someone of the opposite sex who didn't drive? Long story short, I encountered a pretty cool gal who I have some things in common with but she doesn't drive due to a visual/health condition and probably will never be able to drive. She doesn't live too far away from me but has to coordinate to find a ride to hang out. Anybody have some insight or past experiences with something like this? Worth the trouble or pass on it?

92dxman wrote: Anyone around here date someone of the opposite sex who didn't drive? Long story short, I encountered a pretty cool gal who I have some things in common with but she doesn't drive due to a visual/health condition and probably will never be able to drive. She doesn't live too far away from me but has to coordinate to find a ride to hang out. Anybody have some insight or past experiences with something like this? Worth the trouble or pass on it?

I'd say that it is worth the trouble. Actually, I'd say that shouldn't even be a question, assuming you're talking about a relationship.

Only you can decide if it's worth it or not. Muy sister doesn't drive for a number of reasons, and her husband is fine with it. Some things can become a problem but for the most part friends and taxis get here anywhere she needs to go.

The English girl I dated couldn't drive because...well, where she's from they actually have decent mass-transit.

I don't know what would have happened if we'd gotten serious enough for her to move over here. My old racing buddy who married the Irish girl eventually had to teach her to drive because you can't get many places in the US without driving.

OTOH, this old guy sez if the relationship has a chance, don't use anything as an excuse not to persue it.

I have a good friend who doesn't drive due to visual impairment. He & his wife live in a college town, but they made sure to find a house that was close to at least one major bus route.

So I'd say as long as you both are comfortable with a relatively urban lifestyle, it should be misty fine - but there will always be the occasional inconvenience.

OTOH, if you decide farm living is the life for you, you'd better make sure she's really on board with it first!

When I met my wife she didn't drive. She grew up in a very small town where you could walk everywhere, went to college in a city (cars are a PITA) and just never got around to it.

A few years of marriage and she took her road test on my 1954 Chevy. She said the Tester just kinda sat staring out the window, didn't say much.

Not having a license at that time wasn't horrible because we were newly married and did everything together. 30 years later if I had to drop everything to run her for a loaf of bread I can see where it would get old.

Only you can decide.

Dan

friedgreencorrado wrote: The English girl I dated couldn't drive because...well, where she's from they actually have decent mass-transit.

Musta been a long time ago .

friedgreencorrado wrote: OTOH, this old guy sez if the relationship has a chance, don't use anything as an excuse not to persue it.

Completely agree with that.

A few positives here, you'll never hear her say...

my car's making a funny noise, will you fix it?

no you can't buy a 5-speed because I don't know how to drive a stick.

I know the Miata is cool, but a SUV is so much more practical.

The oil light in my car came on a few days ago and I forgot to tell you, is that bad?

:)

Relationships are give and take.
If you feel that she gives more than she takes through some taxi'ing inconvenience then you will have your answer.

My last girlfriend (and current FWB) can drive, but does not have a car and 90% of the time is not able to use one of her parent's cars. She still lives at home but goes to grad school, it helps that her dad is a prof at the school too so she never wants for a ride.

We live close enough that it was never a real problem, but it did become an annoyance on occasion. Luckily she was cool enough to give me gas money every now and then, and even drove my car back to UHaul to pick me up when I returned a rental van. Luckily she can appreciate a sporty car, and says she wants a Mini Cooper as her first :D

I've got three friends who have either girlfriends or wives that don't drive. In dayton suburbs where there's not really any public transportation they all have to drop off and pick up their SOs from work every day. One has vision problems, but the other two are just scared of driving. One them tried to learn how to drive, but ended up in the middle of an intersection when the light turned. She panicked and just stopped. When people started honking at her she got out of the car and ran away, leaving my friend sitting in the passenger seat doubled over with laughter. She swears she'll never try driving again.

Nice reversal here: my sister had a boyfriend for the longest time who didn't drive, and had no intention of ever learning. He was a lawyer and an shiny happy person (I'll leave the obvious joke as an excercise for the reader), so she dumped him.

my sis... at 30.. just got her license this week. The world is a lot less safe now.. especially in the chicago area.

Because I did not have a positve relationship with her (I kind of hate her) taking her anywhere was a MAJOR PITA when she lived with me

My wife is one who didn't have one growing up, lived in the city (with good mass-transit) and get nervous in crowds. It's much, much better I drive 99% of the time.

mad_machine wrote: my sis... at 30.. just got her license this week. The world is a lot less safe now.. especially in the chicago area. Because I did not have a positve relationship with her (I kind of hate her) taking her anywhere was a MAJOR PITA when she lived with me

Want to give me specifics on the "chicago area"?

Been doing it for almost ten years. She once asked me what the 3rd pedal was for.

My wife doesn't drive. She grew up in a big city with good public transportation. She tried her driver's test once and failed.(before we met) Has no desire to try again.

The up side, like mentioned before, I don't have to fix her car after her driving it for a week with the oil light on. I save on insurance, and the type of vehicle(s) we have are my choice. Though insurance company wonders why I have 3 vehicles and only one licenced driver. (hey I need a tow vehicle for the racecar, a family car that is good on gas, and a convertible for fun summer drives)

Plus she gets around on her own, either walking, riding a bike, (which keeps her in shape) or taking the bus.

Personally I can't comprehend someone without a licence, (or women in general) but it hasn't been a big issue with us.

My fiance didn't have her liscense till 2 1/2 years after we started dating. It made things interesting.

Joe, whatever you need to do to get laid, go ahead and do it....giving this girl a ride is a small price to pay for...giving this girl a ride

My wife didn't have a license when we met because she wrecked everything she come close to. Five years after we married I got a job on the road so she had to get one. After wrecking a couple of more she turned out to be a pretty good driver. Loves to autocross, and drives her van like it is a sports car. Kind of hard on tires, but that OK. Getting down to just two kids at home, I might have to get her something a little sportier that a minivan.

mtn wrote:

mad_machine wrote: my sis... at 30.. just got her license this week. The world is a lot less safe now.. especially in the chicago area. Because I did not have a positve relationship with her (I kind of hate her) taking her anywhere was a MAJOR PITA when she lived with me

Want to give me specifics on the "chicago area"?

Schaumburg

BoxheadTim wrote:

friedgreencorrado wrote: The English girl I dated couldn't drive because...well, where she's from they actually have decent mass-transit.

Musta been a long time ago .

ROFL! Well, she was a northern girl, but had moved to London for her IT job.

BoxheadTim wrote:

friedgreencorrado wrote: OTOH, this old guy sez if the relationship has a chance, don't use anything as an excuse not to persue it.

Completely agree with that.

Ironic thing..Claire loved the automobile stuff. The only troubles I've ever recieved about this hobby from the ladies I've known were from the ones who had drivers' licences. Go figure..

Whenever my wife and I go somewhere I always drive. I mean, its not even an option unless I'm unable to drive for some reason. It's been like this for years. My wife doesn't mind driving, she just likes me driving more. Never bothered me much.