I dated a terrific fellow for about a year, who though otherwise an entirely decent human being, could not master the art of driving a car with a manual transmission. I mean he could drive one, but the level of competence was absolutely minimal and any advanced skills, such as double-clutching, or even rather basic skills like roll-starting completely escaped him. Further, no amount of patient instruction or demonstration ever led to a credible improvement.
At the point where we were breaking up (he was breaking up with me), I told him...
"It's just as well that you are leaving... I really can't envision a future with someone who can't properly shift a car."
I thought it was hilarious. He didn't.
angela