Why do stick-shift cars go backwards before going forward?

In article > , (Matthew T. Russotto) wrote:

>>> >Your funny floor operated 'parking brake' idea doesn't exist outside your
>>> >borders.
>>>
>>> Provincial idiot. That you don't know of something doesn't mean it
>>> doesn't exist.
>>
>>It's a US abberation.
>
>Provincial idiot.
>
>>I have quite literally never seen one in my entire life.
>
>And you've checked everywhere except the US?

Guess you have never seen a medium or large Mercedes Benz of the last roughly
35 years? They nearly ALL have foot operated parking brakes. Of course, I
think it is just as stupid in a German car as an American one.... And the
current German fascination with electronically operated parking brakes is even
worse.

Kevin Rhodes