We are doing a new series on this blog called "Signs You Have Been in This Country for a Year." Our first post is on honking.
When I used to ride my bike and a car honks at me, I would feel like I was doing something wrong. I think the reason is because in some of the areas I lived in the states, you only honk your horn to signify, "dude, you are doing something wrong! Get out of the way!" So in this country, when the car honks at me when I am walking or riding my bike, I would get mad and think, "I am not doing anything wrong."
I realized, after a while, that in this country, honking signifies, "I am here and coming your way." It is more of an announcement of their presence.
So after a year of living here, I realized that I don't get bothered by honking anymore. I actually appreciate it when I am biking because I know a car is coming and I shouldn't cross the street or turn yet. I feel safer when they honk. As a result, I even am horn happy with my bike as I weave through crowded streets.
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4 comments:
I think the States is the only country that doesn't use "I am here and coming your way" honk. I was in Tunisia about a month ago...and they do the "I am here and coming your way." I started doing that in America...bad I idea. I get bad glares. But it's so much safer if you think about it!
one thing for sure, in China, people won't know how to drive if "no honking" allowed!
Do pedestrians have "right of way?" in China? I remember walking in Sicily or being in a car...I felt the honking had more of a "get out of my way or else" tone to it ;).
Glad you guys are being safe!
Nope. Pedestrians here do NOT have the right of way. The drivers here are pretty good about maneuvering around people if necessary (yes, some drivers may think it's not necessary), but as a pedestrian you really need to watch out, plan and time things well, and have good depth perception.
The way "right of way" typically works here is... the larger the vehicle, the more priority it has. Huge trucks over buses. Buses over vans. Vans over taxis. Taxis over all other cars. Cars over motorcycles. Motorcycles over scooters. Scooters over bikes. Bikes over people. People over animals.
Imagine being a dog trying to cross the street. We saw that last night, turned our heads at the last minute when it looked for sure like the dog was going to get smacked by a van. A few seconds later... we saw the dog miraculously continue crossing the street...
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