Dumb Criminals Deja Vu: Two Teenage Crooks Can't Drive Stick Shift

[Initech]

HOUSTON (AP) — Authorities say two teenagers attempting to carjack a vehicle in Houston were foiled by a stick shift.

The pair held the motorist at gunpoint last weekend and demanded that he tell them how to drive the vehicle. After the driver provided a few instructions, the teens ordered him out of the vehicle. He then called police.

A brief police chase ensued. Stefan Happ, an officer for the University of Texas at Houston, told KPRC-TV (http://bit.ly/1tJoDw9 ) the teens "had issues operating the vehicle."

The pair opted to flee on foot and were later apprehended.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/02/carjackers-stick-shift_n_6257800.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news

Same stupid crime, different day.

[catnhatnh]

1. I can't speak for the ladies...

...but for guys driving stick is sex with the machine. The clutch pedal is pure foreplay and the lock up of the friction disc is consummation and further that consummation makes a 5 speed better than a 4 and a zemec 6 better than a 5...

I've felt more in my left foot arch than I have in some sex hook-ups...

[barbtries]

2. i never thought of it as sexual

at least not consciously - but i've never chosen to buy a car that didn't have a standard transmission. i like driving a stick. it makes driving more fun. maybe it's a hangover from the first time i learned how: my brother said "face it Barb - you're just too much of a klutz. you'll need to stick to automatics." i was 16 then now i'm 59 and still driving a stick shift.

[MADem]

3. Driving a standard shift vehicle was mandatory for everyone in my family, regardless of gender.

Most of us still drive standard shifts. They're simply better in terms of control--if your brakes go out on a hill, you can use your gears to save your life.

I don't regard it as especially "sexy" though--it's just transportation, and control, especially in sketchy weather.