I heard something from my girlfriend that I found frustrating, although I know I shouldn't feel that way. My girlfriend's name is Marisa. She visited some friends last night, and the conversation turned toward a mutual friend of theirs, who I'll call A. Everyone at this small gathering, with the exception of Marisa, complained that A didn't have her driver's license. One of the friends said that A should be embarrassed because she relies on her parents to drive her. It's not that A hasn't taken the driver's test. She's taken it three times and failed each time. One of her instructors told her that she should not be on the road. Now I don't know if the instructor's assessment was correct, but I do agree that some people should not be allowed behind the wheel, myself included.
So then Marisa told her friends that I don't have my license. One of them, the same one who had said that A should feel embarrassed, then asked my girlfriend "How old is he?" Now this is a person who I have met before. I think it's obvious from looking at me that I'm at an age where most people have their drivers' licenses and that my age couldn't be a factor at all. Does she think I'm 17? No, it sounds like she was asking the question just to be obnoxious. Then she asks Marisa "What's his story?" Meaning why don't I have my drivers license. I'm irritated that she asked that because it's really none of her business. Now I wouldn't mind telling her the reasons if she had asked me, in a way that didn't really mean "What the hell is wrong with you?" Marisa told her that I was afraid of getting into an accident. Now this is true, but it's not the entire truth. I have a horrible memory. I can't remember the traffic laws even when I'm walking. If I forget them while I'm driving, there's added danger to myself and other people. On top of that my reaction times aren't great, and that may be related to the medication I'm taking. And my poor memory may be related to the reason I'm taking the medication. I can understand why Marisa didn't tell her friends these things.
Really why is my not having a license anyone's business but mine? I'm able to get around. I take the subway where I need to go. The friend who said these things, I liked her before this. Now not so much.
So then Marisa told her friends that I don't have my license. One of them, the same one who had said that A should feel embarrassed, then asked my girlfriend "How old is he?" Now this is a person who I have met before. I think it's obvious from looking at me that I'm at an age where most people have their drivers' licenses and that my age couldn't be a factor at all. Does she think I'm 17? No, it sounds like she was asking the question just to be obnoxious. Then she asks Marisa "What's his story?" Meaning why don't I have my drivers license. I'm irritated that she asked that because it's really none of her business. Now I wouldn't mind telling her the reasons if she had asked me, in a way that didn't really mean "What the hell is wrong with you?" Marisa told her that I was afraid of getting into an accident. Now this is true, but it's not the entire truth. I have a horrible memory. I can't remember the traffic laws even when I'm walking. If I forget them while I'm driving, there's added danger to myself and other people. On top of that my reaction times aren't great, and that may be related to the medication I'm taking. And my poor memory may be related to the reason I'm taking the medication. I can understand why Marisa didn't tell her friends these things.
Really why is my not having a license anyone's business but mine? I'm able to get around. I take the subway where I need to go. The friend who said these things, I liked her before this. Now not so much.