> but why such a preference for automatic? American here. From experience driving both, automatic is just so much.. easier. This is especially true on steep g

> but why such a preference for automatic? American here. From experience driving both, automatic is just so much.. easier. This is especially true on steep grades; since you can keep one foot on the brake and one of the gas, you avoid any risk of lurching backwards from a stop and parallel parking becomes vastly easier.