UK People: Why is there a stigma in England with people who drive an automatic as being "not real drivers"...?

It's pathetic! I mean I'm planning on taking some lessons and I will probably take my test in a manual, but I would prefer to drive an automatic car after I have passed my test, because it's simplicity and easier, technology has moved on, so why can't people drive an automatic car without being "labelled"? I know most of these people are narrow minded individuals, but I just find it ridiculous that in the 21st century when there are mobile phones (for simplicity) and computers for the exact same thing to make life easier, people are so judgemental.