While I have noticed that Americans do like to brag about driving manual, it should be noted that outside the US being able to drive manual isn’t bragworthy in the slightest. You’re just part of 99% of drivers. From boy racers to grandma.

Hell, my driving school even taught a guy with down’s syndrome to drive manual. It took longer, but he passed all the tests, so off he went. Apparently it wasn’t even a close thing, and the driving test is quite stringent here in the EU. There’s no need to make fun of people with down’s syndrome, but if they can manage to drive manual with practice anyone without a disability can too.

It’s not difficult. It just takes practice. If your parents drive a manual, which is likely in the EU, you can practice in their car. If your parents have an auto, which is likely in the US, you can’t practice shifting gears so why bother?