i am suitably shameful

My car has five gears, have only ever used 4 of them which includes reverse. Why do they need 4 forward ones?

Alima, you are not alone in that! My daughter drove me down to Scarborough (from Fife) couple of years ago. She didn’t go into 5th once. When I gently suggested that she could use her 5th gear when on the motorway or similar, she replied that she never found the need to use it and was quite happy staying in 4th. ?

I am ashamed that I smacked one of my DDs once when she was about 8 - PMT and mega-stressful situation at home (sick OH) at the time. It has haunted me ever since.

She says she can't remember it!!! I can.

If we could use a different user name from time to time I would say what I am ashamed of but I feel that some of you know me...........................so I'll keep it to myself. (It's nothing illegal)

Driving on dual carriageways or the motorways you should always use 5th gear. Modern cars don't like driving in 4th over 50mph. My DS told me that I should change gear directly from 3rd to 5th when on the open road. The only time I drive in 4th is when I'm in town.
The only things I'm ashamed of, I'm not about to disclose here, suffice to say it involved guinea pigs.

I daren't admit when I last washed my net curtains and just having net curtains is shameful enough?

Have never used the fifth gear (so there!) am certainly not ashamed of it.
There are one or two things that I am ashamed of, and would not believe anyone who said that they didn’t have , over a long lifetime.
Certainly not saying on here though.

Well that’s ok then hilda. Don’t do motorways, avoid dual carriageways and rarely hit 50. Phew. In my defence I have no issues with guinea pigs.

Well I've got net curtains too. My kitchen sink is by a window which looks out over the street and without nets I feel very exposed - especially if I am in my dressing gown! (A very see through pink and black number with a trim of feathers - Oh no sorry I am fibbing - it's a up to the neck, down to the floor navy velour!! ).

I've never used 5th gear either! (Wonder why they bother with it??!)

My shame is that I've never been able to face driving on the right, so never driven in Europe

I always use 5th gear, it's easier on the engine. Rarely use 4th gear as I always shift from 3rd to 5th.

Ashamed that I got caught speeding a few months ago, doing 34 in a 30 limit. First time ever in 50 year's driving.

I'm too scared to drive in Europe too hd
I do make full use of 5th gear and can wire a plug. However, washing my nets or cleaning my oven

Ah.....guinea pigs. I once killed one, whilst administering water via a syringe as per vet's orders. It went into its windpipe by mistake; poor thing croaked on my lap in front of the children. "You killed it Mummy!" Oh dear.

To be fair, the water administration was a last ditch effort as it was not expected to live anyway and I probably saved it some suffering.

I too am ashamed to say I can't bring myself to drive on the right after crashing into the kerb and blowing both tyres when my brother insisted I try in Spain he was not happy
My own car has six gears I use them all as it makes motorway driving much more economical .

I can’t even drive, never mind know anything about gears.

I thought maybe Hilda had eaten one on a visit to South America I'm always ashamed when asked to clap along or do anything rhythmical. Can't hold a regular beat to save my life. Total public humiliation!

I can wire a plug, though these days there is rarely a need as everything comes already 'plugged', unlike years ago. On the open road I always use 5th gear, can't think of any reason not to . But yes, washing nets and cleaning the oven, mmm..... In fact I'm ashamed about my general lack of diligence where housework is concerned. I'd much rather be sewing or crafting. My little GD, 2.5 years old, picks tiny bits of fluff/other detritus off the kitchen floor and shakes her head at me with a frown and says 'no, Nana'. I can't wait for her to be tall enough to use the vacuum cleaner

Funny isn't it Bathsheba we can always find the energy and enthusiasm to do anything except housework! I, of course, am perfect (please don't check under my sofa and ignore the big pile of ironing in the corner!) As for things I am ashamed of............how long have you got!!

I’m ashamed to say that I cannot make a decent Yorkshire pudding. They are little short of disgraceful - the shop ones are better. Can I therefore count myself a self respecting Yorkshire housewife? I am hanging on by my fingertips!!

Oh not a guinea pig one but a poor desiccated budgie. I hide chocolate in my sewing room and have a square when I'm fed up. DH dislikes my expensive preferences in gin and is always trying to infiltrate cheap ones so for every cheap gin he pours out I slosh some round the sink. Oh there are many more . I am not nice.

You’re being hard on yourself Stansgran. Apart from the budgie episode you sound like a good egg!

My truly shameful things I shall confess when there is a measure of anonymity. Until then, my lips are sealed.

I’m with Luckygirl, very ashamed of having smacked my sons occasionally when they were kids and driving me mad.

I flushed the goldfish down the loo and told them he had gone for a swim (it had died btw).

As for anything worse, my lips are sealed because I would have to change my username.

ps I have six gears on my car and use them all, but sometimes find I have changed from six down to two by mistake.
Why six?