The Gals Can Drive Just Fine, Thank You Very Much
It seems like no matter how many times the gals prove that they can, in fact, drive perfectly (and sometimes, even better than men), they'll still be seen as not-so-skilled behind the wheel. Heck, ask any man out there, and he'd probably tell you with a straight face that women are naturally worse drivers than men! The most frustrating part? Many of these remarks are pure baloney. Here are 20 things women are tired of hearing about their driving.
1. "Do You Even Know How to Drive?"
Tying with "women are terrible drivers," say this to your wife, and you'd get way more than just the stink eye. Of all the stereotypes about women and driving, this one has to be among the most irritating. Yes, women can drive just as well as men, thank you very much.
2. "Do You Even Know How to Parallel Park?"
Parallel parking is hard for everyone, not just women. Your gender doesn't make you "better" or "worse" at particular driving maneuvers—squeezing your car into tight spaces takes lots and lots of practice, and that's true for every driver.
3. "You're Going Too Slow"
Well, okay, speedster, did you want to go 55 on a 25 mph street? No matter how impatient you are sitting in the passenger seat, just because a woman follows the posted limits doesn't mean that she's bad at driving. Heck, adjusting your speed to the conditions is a fundamental part of responsible driving!
4. "Are You Sure You Know Where You're Going?"
Look, if she's driven there before, she knows where she's going. If there's a GPS set up, even better. It's not like women are the only ones with poor sense of direction, or are the only ones who have taken the wrong turn or missed an exit.
5. "Let Me Drive Instead"
Offering to drive can be a nice thing, but insisting on taking over because you don't trust a woman's abilities? Don't expect a thank you. If you're the type to automatically assume that men should be the ones behind the wheel, you're only making the stereotypes worse.
6. "You're Too Emotional to Drive"
The idea that women often get too emotional to make rational decisions behind the wheel is another outdated stereotype that needs to go. As if all genders can't get emotional! Everyone experiences frustration, stress, and impatience all the same, so this is just a weird assumption to make.
7. "Wow, You Actually Parked That Perfectly!"
If you wouldn't want your wife to make patronizing remarks when you drive, you shouldn't do the same to her. Complimenting her is one thing, but your tone matters. If you're saying it in a mocking way, it suggests you expected her to struggle.
8. "You Probably Don't Know Anything About Cars"
Newsflash, there are plenty of female car enthusiasts out there—it's not just the men who are into cars! Plus, just because she likes the typical "girly" things doesn't mean she can't also be unfamiliar with engines, popular models, or basic vehicle maintenance.
9. "That's a Pretty Big Car for a Woman"
Men might think certain cars are reserved for men and other types (read: smaller ones) are for women, but cars are... well, for everyone. If she wants to drive a large SUV or pickup truck, who says she can't handle it? Bigger cars aren't just for men.
10. "Of Course You Hit the Curb"
You've probably hit the curb by accident too many times to count, so don't make it a gender-specific thing. Sometimes it's inevitable, particularly when navigating narrow streets or unfamiliar parking spaces. Don't just make it a big deal when women make this mistake.
11. "Women Have No Spatial Awareness"
Since men think women are apparently terrible at driving, they also assume that they're horrible with spatial awareness. But judging distances is, again, something everyone can struggle with, and plenty of female drivers can maneuver through challenging spaces without breaking a sweat.
12. "You Shouldn't Drive at Night"
Nighttime driving is a lot more dangerous than daytime driving, but that's true no matter who's behind the wheel. The difficulties that affect male drivers are the same as those that affect women, so unless you're the kind of person to make reckless decisions in the dark, you shouldn't be making this stereotype.
13. "Are You Really Going to Drive in Those Heels?"
Women can wear heels and still drive! Crazy, right? In the same way some men wear flip-flops or Crocs behind the wheel, women, too, can wear whatever they're comfortable with when driving. Of course, that said, everyone should prioritize safe footwear that won't slip while handling the pedals.
14. "No Wonder Your Car Is Scratched Up"
Have you ever thought that maybe the scratches were due to the fault of her kids, or maybe her husband? Just because a woman's car is scuffed up doesn't mean it was necessarily a result of her own poor driving. Scratches and dents can happen for countless reasons; it could've even been from a hit-and-run!
Volodymyr Dobrovolskyy on Unsplash
15. "I'll Park for You"
Oh, how sweet—not. Unless you're offering out of actual kindness and not because you don't "trust" her to park, save your breath. Automatically assuming women are damsels in distress whenever it comes to parking is just downright condescending.
16. "You Drive Like a Grandma"
Again, just because she's not speeding down a residential street doesn't mean she's not a good driver. Heck, who knows? Maybe grandmas drive better than the average man! Plus, the implication that the elderly are usually timid behind the wheel isn't always a bad thing: maintaining safe distances is a habit that drivers should be encouraged to develop.
17. "I Bet You Can't Drive a Manual"
Of course, because only men can drive manuals, right? Sure, manual transmission might be much harder to grasp than automatic, but it'll click for the right person and with enough practice, regardless of gender. Heck, many women have driven manual cars for decades!
18. "Someone Probably Helped You Pass Your Driving Test"
Imagine spending weeks perfecting your driving skills and successfully passing your driving test—only to have someone question whether you really earned your license. Some men may even go as far as to assume the examiner was just "having a good day"!
19. "You Can Drive a Sports Car?"
Yep, women can drive pickup trucks, manual cars, and (gasp) sports cars, too? Wild, right? As much as sports cars are typically a "male" interest, that doesn't mean women can't be as enthusiastic about powerful cars, either. Like we've mentioned: there are plenty of female car junkies out there!
20. "You Only Got That Car Because It Looks Pretty"
Not every woman chooses a vehicle based on its color and exterior styling, just like how men may also weigh other factors. Even when appearance does influence her decision, that doesn't mean she's fulfilling stereotypes, so don't go around making this odd assumption.
