This is funny, I drive manual in the US where even most pickup trucks now have automatic transmission, and the two groups who have been impressed (I am a middle aged lady) are valets and mechanic shops.

I do think that for my 21 year old daughter it's an unusual skill and one she values. None of my other kids can drive my car, I had to teach that one because I let her use the car to go to college, I bike to work now since it's much closer than the school.

My ex can drive the big trucks with like 16 gears. And both he & my husband can shift motorcycles with ease, I struggle. I guess it would get easier with practice.

Oh yeah, i always forget most people (at least in the US) can't. I learned to drive on a stick shift pickup and took my drivers license test in it 😁