Last year I wrote a post, Welcome to my world:car about me being car less. I have never owned a car and I would like to further discuss what I have experience not having one. Here in the United States it a must to own a car so you can get to and from work. Of course there are some state where that not the case like New York. Not owning a car, I have learned that people, society have these sterotypes for us car less individuals.
I like to first say that I would love to have a car. Having that freedom to move around and to go place. Places that not your public transportation can take you nor your urber driver or taxi. I can’t just take a bus or call urber, take me to the lake. The main reason why I don’t own a car is I can’t afford it. The math with my income and other bills, the number don’t add up. As they say numbers don’t lie
I consider myself a introvert. I don’t drink nor smoke which probably make me less popular to hang out with. Not having a car adds to that cause most people or friend wouldn’t want to travel to the other side of town to pick me up or take me home if it late at night. They don’t have to say it, it just obvious. Am not sure about you, but not having a car, you aren’t on people top 5 list to call to go out on a Friday or Saturday night.
Now take that a step further and tell a future employer that you don’t have a car and you take public transportation. Your name will probably be put at the very bottom of their call list. In my opinion employers see that as a red flag. That you will be the employee who will be late for work, a no show, unreliable. Am begin to see the pattern. I remember applying at Macy’s for the holiday. I was talking with the manager about the hours I could work and mention I can’t stay late. The latest I can stay is 1030pm , maybe 11pm, because I don’t have a car and I would be taking the bus. Their response was something like that stores like them wouldn’t get things done nor profit, if they hired people like me. Who don’t own a car, relay on public transportation.
In my current job, now former job, which last week was my last day, during my interview I informed them that I don’t have a car. Is that okay? I will be getting drop off and picked up. Is there any problem with this? Will there be any problem for my ride to enter the job site just to drop me off and picked me up. The job site is a military base. The person who interview me, “that no problem.” I stress to them, “are you sure” He said,”it isn’t a problem.” So for that past 5 months there was a few set back for the job since it is a contract position. Not on my part, but the government side. During this time, I stress this with the people who are leading this contract, is this going to be a issue? Do you have any information or someone I can ask about my ride being able to enter the job site(the base), to drop me off and picked me up. Nothing, not even maybe. So two week ago, I get a email that I been place with someone in the government who I will assist(work for). Again, no one given me answer. So I contact the person I will be working for since I now have their number. I find out a few hours later, I shouldn’t have done that. Another administrative assistant call me saying what I did about ask about get drop off etc raised some red flags. The red flags that they see I don’t have a car, I will probably be unreliable, late to work. Fast forward 24 hours later I found out well my ride won’t be able to enter the job site to drop me off/pick me up. I will have to walk from the entrance gate to the the building am working at, which is about a 20 minute walk carrying a labtop.
So I had to make a decision, what am I going to do. We are heading to the summer months and around this time we usually get our spring time rain. Do I just do the 20 minute walk to get to work and 20 minute walk back to meet my ride right outside the gate? I decided to quite. I can see this being an issue and I hate to be fired from being late. Especially if it raining and having to carry a company labtop. I really don’t mind walking, but then am not a fast walker. So it back to looking for work.
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