Life in the UK, is the grass really greener?

[Arthur Little]

I still have to learn how to drive..I started last year (Keith was teaching me) but got scared after my 4th drive (drove quite a few miles). So I'm waiting when Keith will teach me again before I do proper driving lessons. He said he wanted to teach me first to gain confidence, but obviously it didn't happen! Hahaha

Ah, Rayna ... I can empathise with the way you feel about driving, as my dad tried to teach me to no avail when I was in my early twenties many moons ago. Indeed, I'm the ONLY adult male member of my entire family I can think of, who still hasn't "mastered that [to me] elusive art".

Now back then, it didn't really bother me all that much because I'd always been a keen cyclist ... ... relying on my bike to get me from 'A' to 'B' or 'wherever I wanted to go'.

Sadly, my late first wife, Iris - like her mother before her - developed rheumatoid arthritis (NOT Arthuritis, I hasten to add!) But she had long harboured the notion to drive and - aided by a combination of sheer willpower and determination - finally passed her test at the age of 34 in 1973. Whereas, me ... well ... ... I never even got to the stage of sitting a test in the first place.

Oh I did consider starting again from scratch - using a fast track method - after being widowed. But by then I was 51 ... "too old at that age", according to my mum - who promptly dismissed the very idea by saying I should have listened to my dad all those years previously, instead of trying to "run before I could walk" so to speak.

But, of course, you're still young, Rayna ... time is on your side. Speaking from personal experience, though (and no offence to Keith!) sometimes - rather than being taught by our nearest and dearest - it's a wise move to engage the services of an impartial outsider.

Here's wishing you the best of luck with your efforts ... whatever your next move in that respect.

[dontpushme]

Speaking from personal experience, though (and no offence to Keith!) sometimes - rather than being taught by our nearest and dearest - it's a wise move to engage the services of an impartial outsider.

I think that's really good advice. It was hell for me when my dad tried to teach me to drive. I learned so much faster and it was way less stressful when I got a friend to take over the driving lessons.

[Michael Parnham]

Ah, Rayna ... I can empathise with the way you feel about driving, as my dad tried to teach me to no avail when I was in my early twenties many moons ago. Indeed, I'm the ONLY adult male member of my entire family I can think of, who still hasn't "mastered that [to me] elusive art".

Now back then, it didn't really bother me all that much because I'd always been a keen cyclist ... ... relying on my bike to get me from 'A' to 'B' or 'wherever I wanted to go'.

Sadly, my late first wife, Iris (like her mother before her) developed rheumatoid arthritis (NOT Arthuritis, I hasten to add!) But she'd long harboured the notion to drive and - aided by a combination of sheer willpower and perseverance - finally passed her test at the age of 34 in 1973. Whereas, me ... well ... ... I never even got to the stage of sitting a test in the first place.

Oh I did consider starting again from scratch - using a fast track method - after being widowed. But by then I was 51 ... "too old at that age", according to my mum - who promptly dismissed the very idea by saying I should have listened to my dad all those years previously, instead of trying to "run before I could walk" so to speak.

But, of course, you're still young, Rayna ... time is on your side. Speaking from personal experience, though (and no offence to Keith!) sometimes - rather than being taught by our nearest and dearest - it's a wise move to engage the services of an impartial outsider.

Here's wishing you the best of luck with your efforts ... whatever your next move in that respect.

You should really use a professional instructer, because if you depend on relatives or friends you more than likely end up arguing!

[FilipinaDiver]

I think that's really good advice. It was hell for me when my dad tried to teach me to drive. I learned so much faster and it was way less stressful when I got a friend to take over the driving lessons.

Hahaha!! I remember my first time to drive along Edsa, I had my 2 bestfriends with me in the car and they were busy making fun of me! While my Mom was holding a rosary! hahaha!!

[Arthur Little]

You should really use a professional instructer, because if you depend on relatives or friends you more than likely end up arguing!

Precisely, Michael ... 's exactly what happened with my dad and I!

I later took a few lessons from a qualified instructor ( instructress, actually; the great-aunt of one of my friends) renowned locally among her former pupils for the high pass rate she churned-out. Alas - by my own admission, I was a rather impatient learner (as indicated in the fourth paragraph of my previous post) and, being fearful of my "ineptness" buggering up the poor woman's clutch, eventually decided to quit ... on the [mutual] assumption I'd never become a motorist.

End of story!

[Arthur Little]

Hahaha!! I remember my first time to drive along Edsa, I had my 2 bestfriends with me in the car and they were busy making fun of me! While my Mom was holding a rosary! hahaha!!

... bet you're a GREAT Filipina D(r)iver, though, and I want you to know how very much I value the rep you so kindly gave one
or other of my two earlier posts on this subject.

[stevewool]

I could never learn Ems to drive, END OF!

[sars_notd_virus]

It took a while to take the plunge and try and ride the bus here. Too scared that the driver might not understand what I'm saying, where I'm heading. I'm still cringing when crossing the street and to remind myself to look onto your RIGHT! not LEFT! and imagination would run into as stup!d as someone would shout 'Hey you foreigner! You don't even know how to cross the road!'. I'm also gaining confidence to say 'Sorry? and 'Pardon?' if I don't understand one of the various accents here. I know its all in my head that the barista and even those people queuing up would sharply turn their heads when I say 'large cappo staying in' with my strong american (as some Brits would call, Yankee). It became official that it was just my labyrinth-like imagination when nobody made a big deal when Rio Ferdinand and his kids went in to grab snacks, also, when Dwight Yorke picked up his take-away. I've calmed down a bit and settling here more as I need to accept that I have two homes now. Oh I miss my other home.


What are your own immigrant fears? How did you cope with it?

You'll be fine

As per my Immigrant fears?..None !!

[Rosie1958]

You should really use a professional instructer, because if you depend on relatives or friends you more than likely end up arguing!

I agree due to my own experiences ........ my dad taught me when I was 17, we used to argue like cat and dog during a lesson and I used to pull over, get out of the driver's seat and sit in the back! I then decided to find an unrelated driving instructor, it only took 4 lessons to overcome the bad habits I picked up and I then passed my test

On a happy note, my Filipina sister-in-law passed her driving test here in the UK last week, she is over-joyed and I am thrilled for her! She is now saving to buy a second hand car

[stevewool]

Once you have a car, you will never have any money. Use your legs and wish I did, but I love my car now

[Rosie1958]

I agree Steve and I am thankful that I have a full no claims bonus as car insurance would be mega expensive starting out as a new driver

[marksroomspain]

Finally got my full driving licence today at the ripe old age of 43 after passing my test first time.

Now waiting for my new Nissan Qashqai to be delivered and have told the Mrs "I can't teach you to drive as I have to have had my full licence for at least 3 years".

Phew, what a relief...

[London_Manila]

Hahaha! As you know we don't have a good train system in Philippines so we saved up for it when we found out that we could take a train to London.

Walk up fares at all London terminals are extortionate

If you are ever going by train again always book it at least a couple of weeks in advance

[Arthur Little]

Finally got my full driving licence today at the ripe old age of 43 after passing my test first time.

... Congratulations and very well done, Mark!

Now waiting for my new Nissan Qashqai to be delivered and have told the Mrs "I can't teach you to drive as I have to have had my full licence for at least 3 years".

Happy motoring ...

Phew, what a relief...

Ha ... I'll bet!

[Arthur Little]

Walk up fares at all London terminals are extortionate

... they're a "rip~off" everywhere in the UK!

[Arthur Little]

If you are ever going by train again always book it at least a couple of weeks in advance

... preferably through the 'Trainline'!

[Michael Parnham]

Finally got my full driving licence today at the ripe old age of 43 after passing my test first time.

Now waiting for my new Nissan Qashqai to be delivered and have told the Mrs "I can't teach you to drive as I have to have had my full licence for at least 3 years".

Phew, what a relief...

Congratulations on passing your driving test first time Mark, no easy feat these days, I passed my driving test when I was seventeen is was simple in those days. Once again Well done!

[joebloggs]

Finally got my full driving licence today at the ripe old age of 43 after passing my test first time.

Now waiting for my new Nissan Qashqai to be delivered and have told the Mrs "I can't teach you to drive as I have to have had my full licence for at least 3 years".

Phew, what a relief...

Well done

[joebloggs]

Walk up fares at all London terminals are extortionate

If you are ever going by train again always book it at least a couple of weeks in advance

My misses had been to London from Manchester a few times for exams a couple of years ago, off peak and bought online a ticket cost less than £70 return

[sars_notd_virus]

My misses had been to London from Manchester a few times for exams a couple of years ago, off peak and bought online a ticket cost less than £70 return

A couple of months ago I bought a ticket from New Street to Swindon £40 one way lol nearly gave my hubby a heart attack

[dontpushme]

... While my Mom was holding a rosary!

Did she kiss the ground as she got out of the car when you parked?

[marksroomspain]

Arthur, Michael, Joe great genuine guys thanks.....

[Arthur Little]

Arthur, Michael, Joe great genuine guys thanks.....

Mark ... thank you so much for your kind compliment and also for the rep - BOTH of which are greatly appreciated.

[Rosie1958]

Finally got my full driving licence today at the ripe old age of 43 after passing my test first time.

Now waiting for my new Nissan Qashqai to be delivered and have told the Mrs "I can't teach you to drive as I have to have had my full licence for at least 3 years".

Phew, what a relief...

Great to hear that you have passed your driving test Michael!

Learning to drive and taking the test is such an expensive business these days. Enjoy your new car when you get it

[Rosie1958]

Walk up fares at all London terminals are extortionate

If you are ever going by train again always book it at least a couple of weeks in advance

I don't often travel by train but didn't know that, thanks for the booking tip!

[London_Manila]

... preferably through the 'Trainline'!

Privatising the railways like the utilities and the recent Royal Mail saga only brings benefits to a few in the city

To most normal people it means eventually they will end up paying much more for these services

The Thatcher legacy goes on

[London_Manila]

My misses had been to London from Manchester a few times for exams a couple of years ago, off peak and bought online a ticket cost less than £70 return

Yes cheap fares can be found but you have to get in fast and online

[Michael Parnham]

Great to hear that you have passed your driving test Michael!

Learning to drive and taking the test is such an expensive business these days. Enjoy your new car when you get it

I think you mean Mark, Rosie!

[joebloggs]

Yes cheap fares can be found but you have to get in fast and online

It cost only £15 more to go first class one way (off peak)

I went with her a couple of times, no complaints about Virgin trains, except sometimes some would try and sit in the seats I reserved

[SimonH]

I had to go to Wilmslow near Manchester last month to pick up my new car and found it cheaper and quicker to fly from Heathrow than get the train