{"id":9207,"date":"2013-07-27T02:10:35","date_gmt":"2013-07-27T06:10:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/?p=9207"},"modified":"2013-07-27T02:10:35","modified_gmt":"2013-07-27T06:10:35","slug":"culture-shock-in-china-getting-around","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/chinese\/culture-shock-in-china-getting-around\/","title":{"rendered":"Culture Shock in China – Getting Around"},"content":{"rendered":"

When traveling to or living in a country that\u2019s very far away and very different from your own, some culture shock is inevitable.\u00a0 So far, we\u2019ve discussed the culture shock in China related to eating<\/a> and drinking<\/a>.\u00a0 Today, we\u2019re going to talk about another everyday topic \u2013 getting around.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A typical scene on Beijing roads.<\/p><\/div>\n

When I first arrived in Beijing back in August 2008, a van was waiting at the airport to escort me and some other guys from the group to our apartment.\u00a0 We were all exhausted and jet-lagged from the long trip, but the adrenaline rush of being in China kept us awake and talking.\u00a0 It was a long ride, but we managed to make it in under an hour.\u00a0 This was thanks to the fact that our driver was a complete maniac \u2013 gunning it every chance he got, swerving in and out, and completely ignoring any kind of road etiquette whatsoever.<\/p>\n

Fearing for our lives, we were excited to hear that the exit was approaching.\u00a0 Of course, our driver blew right past it.\u00a0 \u201cOh well,\u201d I thought.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019ll just get off at the next exit and turn around!\u201d\u00a0 Not so fast.\u00a0 After all, this is China (TIC).\u00a0 Our driver flipped the van into reverse, and sped backwards, on the freeway, until he got to the correct exit. As you can imagine, my first experience with getting around in China left a lasting impression.<\/p>\n

\"Bird's<\/a>

Bird’s eye view of Beijing’s horrendous traffic.<\/p><\/div>\n

When it comes to driving in China \u2013 especially in the big cities \u2013 it is complete and utter chaos.\u00a0 Green means go and red means stop, but yellow does not mean slow down.\u00a0 It means speed up and get through.\u00a0 When a light does turn green, the cars coming straight through have to wait while other impatient jerks make a quick dash to turn left.\u00a0 Neither cyclists nor pedestrians have the right of way, as cars weave in and out of bike lanes and make turns quickly without even looking.\u00a0 You\u2019ll often see cars going the wrong way down a road, parked on the sidewalk, or making the classic \u201cU-turn from the far right lane\u201d move that is so popular here.\u00a0 In short, it is a miracle that there aren\u2019t thousands of accidents a day in Beijing.<\/p>\n

If you thought cars were bad, just wait till you get a load of the buses here.\u00a0 Bus drivers try their best to get through their route quickly, and they have no patience for anyone or anything that is in their way.\u00a0 If you see a bus coming, don\u2019t assume that they will stop for you \u2013 you\u2019ll be road kill before you know it.\u00a0 Cab drivers are just as bad, if not worse.\u00a0 Driving around Beijing for 12 hours a day will do that to you, I guess.<\/p>\n

\"Vendors<\/a>

Vendors speeding away from cops on the sidewalk.<\/p><\/div>\n

No matter where you are and what kind of vehicles are around, get used to hearing the constant sound of car horns blaring.\u00a0 Chinese people honk before they pass to warn you.\u00a0 Then they honk while they are passing to make sure you know you were going too slow.\u00a0 Finally, they give you one more victory honk after they have passed as a big \u201cF you!\u201d\u00a0 Beijing during rush hour is a symphony of car horns that goes on for hours and hours.<\/p>\n

\"Santa<\/a>

Santa causing trouble just like a good pedestrian in Beijing.<\/p><\/div>\n

So the drivers are nuts, but how about the cyclists and pedestrians?\u00a0 They must at least be pretty good, right?\u00a0 Nope.\u00a0 Traffic lights mean nothing to people walking around in China.\u00a0 Even with a constant stream of cars, taxis, and buses speeding towards them, they ignore the fact that the light is red on their side and continue to walk into the middle of the street.\u00a0 This, of course, causes cars to slam on their breaks and their horns, and it just makes everything that much worse.\u00a0 Meanwhile, you’ve got entire families flying up the road on the wrong side on electric bikes – dad driving, mom on the back, and child clutching on for dear life.\u00a0 Naturally, none of them are wearing helmets.\u00a0 Then there are the rickshaw drivers and people on carts who are selling street food or transporting junk.\u00a0 In conclusion, it is complete and utter chaos out on the streets here.<\/p>\n

\"Beijing<\/a>

Beijing subway during rush hour. Can you spot the two \u8001\u5916?<\/p><\/div>\n

With all this madness out on the road, you\u2019re probably better off heading underground to take the subway, right?\u00a0 Not so much.\u00a0 Although there are plenty of subway lines, they are still not even close to enough for the massive population.\u00a0 As such, you will find huge crowds any time of day.\u00a0 There are plenty of ads and announcements in subway stations reminding people to \u201cbe civilized,\u201d \u201cstand behind the yellow line,\u201d \u201cfirst get off, then get on,\u201d and \u201cgive up seats to those in need.\u201d\u00a0 The Beijing subway, however, is far from civilized.\u00a0 As soon as those doors open, people begin pushing their way on.\u00a0 Be prepared to throw some elbows if you want to get a seat, let alone get on the subway at all.<\/p>\n