Because unless you live in New York or San Fransisco (where you don't need a car), there are not many other options for getting around in the U.S. Public transportation is either non-existent or inconvenient. For example, in Los Angeles (where I live), our city is very spread out. We don't build things up too high due to earthquakes. Our public buses can run as infrequently as every hour and a half on weekends, and even when you can catch them, they rarely take you close enough to where you are going to make it a convenient option. Plus, in certain parts of the city, they are crime-ridden, and loaded with perverts. I had my ass grabbed more often than I care to remember on crowded buses. Add to the problem that many people live outside of Los Angeles County and travel in to work, and there is very little public transportation to accomdate them.

Our trains are very expensive (it is actually less expensive to drive) and again, don't necessarily take you where you really want to go. They are more often used as a source of entertainment for non-business people.

Yes, in Los Angeles (and many other American cities), you need a car to date.

In the more suburban or rural areas, people often like to go to the nearby cities for dating.

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