@Kev and Hyper:
Doesn't mean that someone can't drive a stick because of their origin. Stick takes practice for most people, and it isn't easy right off the bat. More small accidents happen from inexperienced stick users than any automatic user that last I heard. Automatic is safer (easier) for our streets at least, which is why it is the more dominant option on cars you buy nowadays. Expecting someone to drive stick is like expecting someone to do a flip on a bike... not everyone will do it, not everyone will succeed, and for how long would one continue doing it until they realize it isn't safe?
So be proud you are the one that can do it (wow stick!), but who the hell cares?