Shanghai [China] traffic an embodiment of Chinese logic

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/opinion...t_12844703.htm

Interesting article in China Daily by Jerry Woods, titled Shanghai traffic an embodiment of Chinese logic (but could apply to all roads in China).

It has been said that Henry Ford freed the common man from the limits of his geography.

In the late 1920s to early 1930s, there was a shift in the American psyche when the automobile was no longer considered a luxury but a necessity, as people were willing to sacrifice food, clothing, and savings in exchange for a shiny new piece of the American dream.

Although I don't think this has happened yet in China, in talking with many Chinese I get a very strong sense that for a growing sector of the new middle class, this is starting to emerge.

Using this as a jumping-off point, in my opinion, a 20-minute automobile ride in Shanghai traffic will yield more insights into the Chinese concept of logic than would a weeklong "Introduction to China" class.

From what I have read and observed, Chinese base the concept of logic using personal considerations of circumstances at hand and also take into consideration all kinds of diversity and contradiction - which leads to a more flexible decision-making process.

Trying to explain this to a foreigner can be difficult, but one left-hand turn into oncoming traffic will be a fabulous eye-popping example of the type of flexible decision-making that is appropriate and even "logical".

From my Western point of view, it seems "logical" to wait for the oncoming traffic to pass before trying to turn left, but for a Shanghai driver it is perfectly "logical" to try to beat the oncoming traffic - especially if another vehicle ahead is providing a block and it is possible to slip in behind using them as a shield.

From my Western point of view, it does not seem logical to try pass a slower-moving vehicle on a two-lane road if there is oncoming traffic, but for a Shanghai driver it is perfectly logical to start to pass, as he knows the oncoming traffic will simply swerve, allowing all three vehicles to simultaneously fit into the two-lane space.

This is another (often hair-raising) example of decision-making based on following the rules that are appropriate for the situation at hand - not necessarily on abstract principles considered as absolutes using straight-line thinking based on empirical knowledge from observation and experiments.

Shanghai traffic has been one of my best teachers, as it has prepared me to handle similar business situations where I have found myself trying to solve a problem that, at first glance, does not seem "logical".

In closing, I have a Chinese language book entitled Approaching Chinese - not Mastering Chinese or Learning Chinese or even Understanding Chinese.

The word "approaching" implies I will never ever reach a level that would suggest I was "there" and, like the Shanghai traffic, will never be a static target as it continues to evolve and change.

I have applied this same philosophy in my attempt to understand the amazing Chinese culture, and I accept the fact that I will only be approaching a complete understanding of the assumptions, motivations, and inner workings of the "Chinese mind".

In the meantime, I am content to continue my training from my master, Shanghai Traffic.

The author is the General Manager Of Asian Operations for Automatic Systems, Inc., lived in Shanghai for a year and a half, still travels frequently to China. Jerry is a guest lecturer on his experiences in China and of the Chinese Culture under the auspices of Dr. Dennis Karney at The University of Kansas Edwards Campus. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the China Daily website.

Speaking about traffic and logic, I have some thoughts to add:

Say you are riding your motorcycle and you get hit by a person doing an "illlegal" turn. Policeman comes and says you are BOTH at fault. Well you ask why are we both at fault when you were the one who got hit while riding legally? Where's the logic in that you ask? There is no logic the cop says. "Jiur Jiang Ze" (That's just the way it is).

Well what can I do about it? You can't the cop says. "Mei Ban Fa"

****

So maybe there isn't really any logic. It's just pragmaticism and inconsideration that guides people to drive the way they do in Shanghai.

****

So here's an ethnic joke which I can say because, hey, I'm ethnic chinese too.

Q: How many Chinese does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: 15. 1 boss to tell them to screw in the bulb. 1 government official to collect the 500RMB to change the bulb. 10 to screw in the bulb (including the guys holding the ladder) and the remaining 3 to inspect the socket and figure out that the reason the light didn't go on in the first place was not the bulb but the problem with the wiring.

-Wrangler

What a bunch of baloney.

Ideally, traffic regulations and laws are social contracts, formulated and enacted by following a due process, hopefully with representation from all walks of life. In a democracy, they gain legitimacy by including all the people into discussion who care to participate in the democratic process. Laws and regulations create order so that we don’t have to design and apply our own logic in every possible situations in life, at least in our public life when we must interact with other people. This makes a more efficient social structure and a more just society.

The fact that everyone in Shanghai traffic must carry out a “decision-making based on following the rules that are appropriate for the situation at hand” is simply lawlessness, pure and simple. This is what a beast must face and do in a jungle. 50 years ago Taipei (Taiwan) traffic was a similar mess until after the democracy took hold and several mayors in Taipei started to enforce the traffic regulations. Now Taipei traffic is impressively orderly, which probably is not an indication that Taiwanese have lost their “amazing Chinese culture”.

This is not a forum to discuss the political legitimacy of current regime in China. I’d only say that people in this “amazing Chinese culture” have an equally amazing lack of respect for law and order. Shanghai traffic is just a reflection of that and indeed of the “inner workings of the Chinese mind”. But please, don’t relate that to “Chinese culture”.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by milton

What a bunch of baloney. Ideally, traffic regulations and laws are social contracts, formulated and enacted by following a due process, hopefully with representation from all walks of life.....

---

For those of you who skipped Intro to Modern Western Philosophy, a refresher of Locke versus Hobbes can be found here: http://jim.com/hobbes.htm

Interesting to see this in light of China's long, rich history of philosophy & rule which culminates with the traffic culture we live within :chinese::riding::confused1::deal:

"Q: How many Chinese does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
A: 15. 1 boss to tell them to screw in the bulb. 1 government official to collect the 500RMB to change the bulb. 10 to screw in the bulb (including the guys holding the ladder) and the remaining 3 to inspect the socket and figure out that the reason the light didn't go on in the first place was not the bulb but the problem with the wiring."

How many chinese does it take to wash a window? 4, one to wash one to rinse, one to hold the bucket and one to make sure it's being done right (I guess maybe he could hold the ladder too if it came down to it but it's probly more likely they would call somebody in).

I can say this because it's not a joke and I have actually seen it. We've all seen the likes I reckon.

As much as I hate Shanghai traffic, it seems to work. If this number of people were driving in a city like Toronto or Vancouver we would have complete gridlock. I cannot help but wonder if more strict enforcement of traffic laws in Shanghai would not hinder rather than help the situation. That being said, I completely detest the Shanghai left turn. There is nothing more scary than coming around a right hand corner & encountering someone driving straight at you in your lane trying to beat oncoming traffic.

Quote:

---

There is nothing more scary than coming around a right hand corner & encountering someone driving straight at you in your lane trying to beat oncoming traffic.

---

I hate those decided violation, it left you a decision making to avoid them or force them stop.
Similarly, some other time a guy coming from left ahead same direction as you. Most of them don't look their right, force you to adjust for them.

why do you call it the Shanghai left turn? I almost got pulverized last night 2 km from my finally destination by such a left turn in Chengdu. I forgot TIC and flipped him the bird... TIC, I was the idiot to get worked up about it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slabo

why do you call it the Shanghai left turn?

---

You're right, it needs a better term. Not only is it not specific to Shanghai but calling it that makes it sound like all Shanghai drivers do it. It is infuriating and incredibly dangerous. I find it to be the finest example of what one should learn to watch for and avoid while driving in China. It nicely demonstrates the mindset of a person who has neither respect for law nor concern for the safety of others.

Well take this for respect for law:: driver turns his right signal on and slows down, starts to veer to the right...

You think, ok, he wants to park on the right, I'm safe, I can pass. Then suddenly he swerves across the street. AH! He wants to U-turn!
(is this what you call a T-bone accident?)

I'd say it's not lack of logic but lack of basic morality... That went out the window long time ago here.

I absolutely hate driving a car in Beijing, and not just because of the traffic insanity ... rather, I've become one of "them."

Being a courteous, respectful, safe driver in Beijing is pretty much setting yourself up for every yokel running over you.

Seriously, my own car-driving habits have deteriorated to the point that if I went home, I'd get thrown in jail driving out of the airport parking lot. If I was an American, I'd probably get shot. :lol8:

i'm sure after a while, you will be numb,emotionless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slabo

Well take this for respect for law:: driver turns his right signal on and slows down, starts to veer to the right...

---

A "T=bone" is when someone hits someone else dead centre on the side. And yes, it sounds as if that particular individual was setting you up perfectly for that style of collision. Whenever I see someone drving slowly in front of me without signalling a turn, I slow down too. More often than not it means they are about to do something really stupid, or, as in your case, they are planning something murderous.

As one who's been living in China for more than 20 years, I've watched this me-first-left-turn problem bloom from the days (early 1990s) when cars were a rarity on Chinese roads. Without making excuses or justifications, it's easy to understand how this "me first" attitude toward almost any situation in life evolved, if you consider how punishing grandma has been on those who showed themselves as weak or deferential to others. Defensiveness has become an instinct. Add ambition to defensiveness and what you get is, well, people stealing a left turn before oncoming traffic has a chance to assert its right of way.

In those situations when I am the oncoming traffic, I have learned, after many years of anger and resentment, to do half of what td_ref suggests. Numbness will get you killed; emotionlessness will let you survive.

Urban traffic here requires a zen-like state of acceptance that I can achieve only on a bicycle or motorcycle. I simply would not be able to do it in a car. That's not to say there are not many other ways to skin the cat. At intersections, I always find my way to the very front of the queue, often by riding to the far left of traffic, sometimes in the oncoming traffic lane. That way I can place myself in an optimal position for entering the intersection safely before the me-first left-turners know what happened. As they encroach on my space, I resist the temptation to slow down and make them suffer. Usually. If there's a cop nearby I just might, so they have to squirm. But that's so unzen-like, and probably will cause that driver to attack the next bicyclist or motorcyclist he sees.

That's the challenge of urban riding: Optimizing, and dissipating the emotions that surely will get you into trouble, now or later.

How anyone can drive a car in a Chinese city and stay sane is beyond me.

safe riding!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nuhaus

A "T=bone" is when someone hits someone else dead centre on the side. And yes, it sounds as if that particular individual was setting you up perfectly for that style of collision. Whenever I see someone drving slowly in front of me without signalling a turn, I slow down too. More often than not it means they are about to do something really stupid, or, as in your case, they are planning something murderous.

---

but he used his turn signal, neh?

摩托道
Motorcycle and Daoism Principle 1

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by euphonius

it's easy to understand how this "me first" attitude toward almost any situation in life evolved, if you consider how punishing grandma has been on those who showed themselves as weak or deferential to others. Defensiveness has become an instinct. Add ambition to defensiveness and what you get is, well, people stealing a left turn before oncoming traffic has a chance to assert its right of way.

In those situations when I am the oncoming traffic, I have learned, after many years of anger and resentment, to do half of what td_ref suggests. Numbness will get you killed; emotionlessness will let you survive.

---

Can't wait for #2 (more please!!)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slabo

Well take this for respect for law:: driver turns his right signal on and slows down, starts to veer to the right...

You think, ok, he wants to park on the right, I'm safe, I can pass. Then suddenly he swerves across the street. AH! He wants to U-turn!
(is this what you call a T-bone accident?)

I'd say it's not lack of logic but lack of basic morality... That went out the window long time ago here.

---

THIS is exactly what happened to me last time in Shanghai, and I was very fortunate to be on my bicycle, not on the motorbike... When I saw his right signal and beginning to turn on the right, I went to the left to pass him and suddenly this SOB started a U-turn. I was able to brake and barely avoid him because I was doing around 15km/h, then letting him know my thoughts on his fu....-up driving skills...
If I had been on the motorbike, going faster, no way I could have avoided him.

This is what I find the most difficult riding in Shanghai : should we stop to a crawl every time we see a car that's supposed to park, should we pass cars at 10km/h maximum, should we cross every intersection at 20km/h ? It's impossible to do that every time, every day, we know it...
So what ?

This where the skull-busting Nautilus Stebel, Wolo Bad Boy or Aerostich Ear Cannon horn (or shanzhai equivalent) can be a lifesaver. Your own ears might be ringing for a few minutes, but it's better than the alternative.

Apart from that, remember your rider training and do your best to read the situation many vehicles ahead of you. If a car pulls over to the right, ask yourself -- what might be the reason? Is there anything of interest that would cause them to stop? A vendor? Stopping to piss? Puke? Sometimes you can tell. But the odds are pretty good that this behavior indicates a U-turn. Watch for it. If you plan to pass, how far to the left can you go without increasing your personal risk?

Sucks that we have to be thinking this way, but it's not just China. Biggest hazard on a US freeway is the SUV with the coffee-drinking, lipstick-applying, cellphone-chatting driver suddenly changing multiple lanes without checking.

We must be hyper-alert at all times, unlike 99% of the drivers around us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by euphonius

This where the skull-busting Nautilus Stebel, Wolo Bad Boy or Aerostich Ear Cannon horn (or shanzhai equivalent) can be a lifesaver.

---

louder horn is good option to me.

When I doing more than 40kph in town, I switch on headlights. But when you have very slow car ahead, think twice before overtake. Again, these precaution cannot completely prevent shxt happen to anyone. Because they don't always do their part of responsibility.