"driving" me crazy.
Is it such a big deal to the rest of society that I don't drive? Because goodness, I have sure caught a lot of flack for it these past few days.
I do realize that I am nineteen, almost twenty. I should have gotten a license four years ago, but I didn't. I took all of the drivers' ed classes and got both my Level 1 and Level 2. I almost didn't get my Level 2 because the drivers' ed teacher didn't feel I was ready - he said I didn't "have the focus" for it; something that was probably due to my ADHD. However, he did anyway after my mom pretty much called him a grumpy old cuntbag or something, I don't remember. After that, my mom wouldn't ever drive with me because of me very nearly trading paint with a Dodge Ram on the highway MY SECOND TIME driving. So, that pretty much put a screeching halt (Get it? Heh. I'm so witty sometimes...) on my getting-a-license process. I occasionally drive with my stepdad and with friends when I am called upon to be the DD or what not. As I am over 18, I can get a sort of modified learner's permit that allows me to drive with any licensed adult over 18. Also, since I have all of the classes and hours, I can get the 30 day instructional period waived. So, it's not like I "can't" drive.
Despite this, I've been catching a lot of flak for not having a license for things that, well, GENERALLY SHOULDN'T REQUIRE DRIVING.
Working at a band camp this past week, for instance? When I got there, the band director informed me that I would need to drive her van back to the school after the camp was finished; she had to ride on the bus with the students. Had it not involved driving through Lansing, Michigan, I probably would have just not said anything - there would be another licensed adult in the car with me. But given that, I felt it would be best to tell her. I am not a fan of city traffic. I told her the situation, and she said, "Well, that sucks, but you're not going NEAR my van."
Sigh.
And then today. Today, I went shopping for new school clothes at JC Penny. The lady who waited on me was an older woman. She was folding and bagging FAR too slowly, for one thing, but that doesn't really matter. I paid for my credit card, which apparently required me to present some form of ID. So, she asked for my drivers' license, and the following exchange ensued.
Her: I need to see your drivers' license.
Me: I don't have one.
Her: What do you mean you don't have one?
Me: I... don't have one.
Her: So... you don't drive?
Me: Yes, that's correct.
Her: Well, how do you get by without a drivers' license?
It wasn't even in a curious, genuinely wondering kind of way. It was a bitchy, "what the hell is wrong with you, you are in college and can't drive" kind of way. I kind of wanted to say something... but it wouldn't have been nice. Something along the lines of THE SAME WAY YOU GET BY WITHOUT THOSE SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS or something. Either way, I was pretty much fuming when I left the store. It isn't anyone's business why I don't have a drivers' license - it should be a non-issue unless I apply for a job that requires one, which, by the way, no job I have ever had has required one, at least up front. And good lord - since when was a license required to go SHOPPING?
I do realize that I am nineteen, almost twenty. I should have gotten a license four years ago, but I didn't. I took all of the drivers' ed classes and got both my Level 1 and Level 2. I almost didn't get my Level 2 because the drivers' ed teacher didn't feel I was ready - he said I didn't "have the focus" for it; something that was probably due to my ADHD. However, he did anyway after my mom pretty much called him a grumpy old cuntbag or something, I don't remember. After that, my mom wouldn't ever drive with me because of me very nearly trading paint with a Dodge Ram on the highway MY SECOND TIME driving. So, that pretty much put a screeching halt (Get it? Heh. I'm so witty sometimes...) on my getting-a-license process. I occasionally drive with my stepdad and with friends when I am called upon to be the DD or what not. As I am over 18, I can get a sort of modified learner's permit that allows me to drive with any licensed adult over 18. Also, since I have all of the classes and hours, I can get the 30 day instructional period waived. So, it's not like I "can't" drive.
Despite this, I've been catching a lot of flak for not having a license for things that, well, GENERALLY SHOULDN'T REQUIRE DRIVING.
Working at a band camp this past week, for instance? When I got there, the band director informed me that I would need to drive her van back to the school after the camp was finished; she had to ride on the bus with the students. Had it not involved driving through Lansing, Michigan, I probably would have just not said anything - there would be another licensed adult in the car with me. But given that, I felt it would be best to tell her. I am not a fan of city traffic. I told her the situation, and she said, "Well, that sucks, but you're not going NEAR my van."
Sigh.
And then today. Today, I went shopping for new school clothes at JC Penny. The lady who waited on me was an older woman. She was folding and bagging FAR too slowly, for one thing, but that doesn't really matter. I paid for my credit card, which apparently required me to present some form of ID. So, she asked for my drivers' license, and the following exchange ensued.
Her: I need to see your drivers' license.
Me: I don't have one.
Her: What do you mean you don't have one?
Me: I... don't have one.
Her: So... you don't drive?
Me: Yes, that's correct.
Her: Well, how do you get by without a drivers' license?
It wasn't even in a curious, genuinely wondering kind of way. It was a bitchy, "what the hell is wrong with you, you are in college and can't drive" kind of way. I kind of wanted to say something... but it wouldn't have been nice. Something along the lines of THE SAME WAY YOU GET BY WITHOUT THOSE SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS or something. Either way, I was pretty much fuming when I left the store. It isn't anyone's business why I don't have a drivers' license - it should be a non-issue unless I apply for a job that requires one, which, by the way, no job I have ever had has required one, at least up front. And good lord - since when was a license required to go SHOPPING?