Are you a better than average driver?

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Not just rural areas. I'm afraid KK's post seems a little ill-informed.

I lived in Germany for 8 years. MANY of my German friends never had cars. I spent the first 6 months without a car (it had gotten lost in transit), and other than shopping at the military commissary, I did just fine without a car. and I had 2 small children at the time. so at least for many parts of Europe, not having a car is not an issue.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I lived in Germany for 8 years. MANY of my German friends never had cars. I spent the first 6 months without a car (it had gotten lost in transit), and other than shopping at the military commissary, I did just fine without a car. and I had 2 small children at the time. so at least for many parts of Europe, not having a car is not an issue.

My apologies, I hadn't realised you'd lived in one small part of one country in Europe for a whole 8 years. Obviously people like me who have merely lived here all our lives couldn't possibly have the in depth knowledge you possess.

[Stanford]

Living in NYC, I don't own a car, but I keep my license up to date. I'm always amazed when I rent a car on vacation that they even let me behind the wheel - for all they know, it could have been years since I last drove.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

My apologies, I hadn't realised you'd lived in one small part of one country in Europe for a whole 8 years. Obviously people like me who have merely lived here all our lives couldn't possibly have the in depth knowledge you possess.

actually I lived in Bavaria for 4 years and Hess for 4 years. I traveled extensively through Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland during both tours. All except Italy had top notch public transportation and it was obvious that one could exist without a vehicle.

You can be as snarky as you like, but that's the experience I had

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

actually I lived in Bavaria for 4 years and Hess for 4 years. I traveled extensively through Germany, France, Italy and Switzerland during both tours. All except Italy had top notch public transportation and it was obvious that one could exist without a vehicle.

You can be as snarky as you like, but that's the experience I had

Well good for you. Nothing like confidence; but do you not think that it might be even a teensy bit possible that somebody who has actually lived and travelled extensively in Europe for all of their life (I'm considerably older than 8 as well) might actually know a tad more than you about that specific subject?

I drive around 30,000 miles a year currently. I do not do that for fun, I do it because there is no reliable public transport infrastructure.

[happy_terd]

I thought you guys had trolleys everywhere. I was going to visit the UK one day, but I dont think I will if they got rid of the trolleys.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Well good for you. Nothing like confidence; but do you not think that it might be even a teensy bit possible that somebody who has actually lived and travelled extensively in Europe for all of their life (I'm considerably older than 8 as well) might actually know a tad more than you about that specific subject?

I drive around 30,000 miles a year currently. I do not do that for fun, I do it because there is no reliable public transport infrastructure.

whatever.... obviously I was halucinating the whole time. you really can be quite hostile you know

[happy_terd]

IT's because they took his FN trolleys.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

whatever.... obviously I was halucinating the whole time. you really can be quite hostile you know

I'd rather be openly hostile than go in for that passive-aggressive bullshit.

I note you are still insistent that your view is right. In which case, I'd like to warn all European members that absolutely all of America is boiling hot all the time and that there is nothing but desert there. Of course, I've only ever been to Las Vegas for a brief period of time, but I see no reason for that to stop me making sweeping, fallacious statements.

[happy_terd]

WOOO WOOO!

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

I drive around 30,000 miles a year currently. I do not do that for fun, I do it because there is no reliable public transport infrastructure.

Well, I am definitely older than 8 years myself, and I have been living in *my* little, backward corner of Europe for my entire life.
My car is 10 years old and I have 30,000 miles on the odometer by now. Most of that was accumulated during holidays, when we go to mountains, kayaking or camping. On most of those occasions I could have used alternative transport, but car is more convenient with a couple of small kids. Your mileage obviously does vary ;-), there are people here that do more than 30,000 miles per year, but that does not mean that the public transport system here is not extensive, reliable and affordable.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by kacir

Well, I am definitely older than 8 years myself, and I have been living in *my* little, backward corner of Europe for my entire life.
My car is 10 years old and I have 30,000 miles on the odometer by now. Most of that was accumulated during holidays, when we go to mountains, kayaking or camping. On most of those occasions I could have used alternative transport, but car is more convenient with a couple of small kids. Your mileage obviously does vary ;-), there are people here that do more than 30,000 miles per year, but that does not mean that the public transport system here is not extensive, reliable and affordable.

I'm glad you feel that the public transport system where you live is good. I can assure you that it isn't where I live.

It is clearly nonsense to make sweeping statements about the state of anything across the whole of Europe. Things differ from country to country and people have differing needs and expectations wherever they may be.

[astra]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

whatever.... obviously I was halucinating the whole time. you really can be quite hostile you know

Relax. It is the same one from previous topics. Don't mind him.

Public transport in the UK is absolute rubbish. Probably some of the worst in Europe. The OH wants to go to gym but she needs a bus to get home from there (we live in a town). The last bus leaves the central bus station at ...ready? 20.05!
However, public transport in Austria and The Netherlands is fantastic. Don't know about other countries. Well, I do know a bit more. Boats in Venice are very good too. I guess the public transport in Germany is no worse than Austria or The Netherlands.

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by astra

Relax. It is the same one from previous topics. Don't mind him.

I assume this is aimed at me?

Originally Posted by astra

Public transport in the UK is absolute rubbish. Probably some of the worst in Europe. The OH wants to go to gym but she needs a bus to get home from there (we live in a town). The last bus leaves the central bus station at ...ready? 20.05!
However, public transport in Austria and The Netherlands is fantastic. Don't know about other countries. Well, I do know a bit more. Boats in Venice are very good too. I guess the public transport in Germany is no worse than Austria or The Netherlands.

And then you go on to agree with me. Are you schizophrenic by any chance?

[wodin]

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Define your parameters a little more. I don't play golf anyway .......

Wait! Wait! Isn't being above par a bad thing?