2s reverse gear shift rule is somethin new to me..

Driving a manual all my life... took the "complete stop before engaging reverse gear" for granted.

Another common mistake that drivers make, is failing to come to a complete stop before engaging Reverse gear, resulting in a grinding sound from the gearbox, and vice versa.

And manual gears can be played around. Not necessary to always engage first gear when moving off from stationary.

If you are moving off from a downwards slope, can move off in 2nd gear. You can also change from 1st to 3rd gear if  after moving off from 1st gear leads you to a downwards slope.

And use 2nd gear as engine brake when going down car park slopes, to prevent brake pad fade.

And your spouse would prefer you driving a Manual... your left hand would have less free time to stray beneath your female passenger's skirt, or your male passenger's shorts.  ; - ) 

That's the magic of a Manual.

cos in US, you can get your license using auto car and then drive a manual.

there isn't class 3 and class 3A

and to avoid liability issue, they have warning and disclaimer on everything...even on a cup of coffee

The same instructions printed on our Fiat Doblo Panorama manual. We follow accordingly.