im a leftie and i can not drive an automatic car

But you don’t have a problem with the gear stick in a manual car petunia?

I'm right handed and have had to drive an automatic car from time to time. I have trouble with what to do with my left foot, too.. and my left hand... I think it's just a question of getting used to it.

MissAdventure

I can't even work a can opener properly, so behind the wheel of a car is a bit of a worry.

But surely you can buy both tin openers and scissors for left-handed people?

If they are not available in Britain try Amazon.de.

I doubt that anyone who has reached our age and always driven with a manual gearbox will ever feel comfortable driving an automatic car.

But the advice to drive a little every day is probably sound.

Do you need to drive your husband's car? Can't you stick to your own?

I'm left handed but was never discouraged. I write like a right hander as does my left handed daughter. My 2 lefthanded sons in law both write 'over the top'.

When I worked in a bank all the adding machines were made to be used right handed so I did.

My next car will be automatic and I am not expecting any problems.

Both my DD’s are lefties. The older one drives my automatic car with no problem. The younger one isn’t allowed to drive it yet - insurance is too high!

I can remember many a time, me and my girl lifting something ridiculously heavy, and me doing it "wrong'.
Ironing my mums knickers, then getting told I'd put them in the drawer the wrong way round, and my grandson telling me everything in his wardrobe is hung up facing the wrong way

Being a leftie in the world is fraught with minor irritations isn't it MOinca and Charley. When I was a student midwife I was told quite firmly that all vaginal examinations and episiotomies MUST be done with my right hand. I converted to the right side but it took quite some time to feel normal.
I've always struggled with group activities such as zumba and other exercise classes. While everyone else leads with their right, I automatically lead to the left-causing many a clash with people at my side.

I am not a leftie but have always operated a mouse with my left hand. It was instinctive from the time I first sat down at a computer and transferred the mouse from right to left because operating it with my right hand felt so clumsy.

And I agree with Charleygirl5 people always comment on this and I get fed up with people who swap it to the right in order to use my computer and then fail to return it to its proper place! Thats you, I am talking to, DH, DS, DD.

I can't even work a can opener properly, so behind the wheel of a car is a bit of a worry.

My new car is an Automatic, DH had them for years
Why did I wait so long, easiest Car to drive, you just need remember not to use your Left foot.
Good luck and this will be second nature soon.

petunia I’m another who had my left handedness discouraged as a small school child. I write with my right hand but do everything else left handed eg using a carving knife, screwdriver etc . I even kick a ball with my left foot.

I would suggest you persevere with the automatic. I had only ever driven a manual car till last year when my daughter encouraged me to use her automatic VW camper van. I was very apprehensive at first and expected I’d never become used to it. But I was surprised how quickly I mastered it after a few local test drives.

My only problem is when I return home after a few days away and start to drive my manual car again. I have to be extra careful for the first few hours as my feet don’t seem to naturally find the clutch and brake pedals without extra concentration.

I ended up not buying an automatic for that reason.

I have a desktop computer with the mouse etc on my left and most people who do not know me and enter my house for whatever reason make some comment.

I no longer knit but when I did, I felt like something from the circus being seen using my left hand.

I'm a leftie too and I wouldn't swap my automatic for anything! The trick is to firmly plant your left foot to the floor and keep both hands on the wheel until you get used to it. Drive every day for 14 days and it will become a learned behaviour.

Good luck!

Petunia I hope you can get to grips with the automatic enough to enjoy it.
I had the same problems, particularly with my left foot, continuing to work the non-existent clutch for a long time.
Good luck.