AJI Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I have now been in the centre of Shanghai for 5 days.... and I keep laughing at the lack of order on the streets in terms of traffic and pedestrians. Trying to get across a street even when the traffic lights are on red and the little green 'walk' signs says you can cross... it is still a game of chance. It seems cyclists, motor-scooters, motobike, some cars, some busses, some trucks... etc etc... they do not take note of the red lights. And when ever there is a queue it seems ok to push to the front..... and when many people try to push to the front there is instant grid lock when the cars are coming the other direction. Taxi drivers are all psychos.... in and out of traffic like there is no tomorrow... there is not real fast and slow lane or no order to overtake on a particular side..... if they see the smallest of gaps then it is theirs !..... twice now I have seen them within cm's of scraping.... but the funny thing is ... is that nobody gets angry, it is seen as everyday life and everyone accepts that they are competing for space. It is more like the bigger vehicle your drive then you are more in charge. The most funny thing is that bikes of all types do not use their lights at night ! .... and the worst to look out for are electric powered bikes doing over 30mph at night with no lights.. as there is no sound. Already nearly seen one guy go over the bars and another guy come within a cm of being knocked over..... but again... nobody gets angry... they just take a deep breath and on their way ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 It's great isn't it? I saw a guy that did get knocked over in Beijing - you should've seen the crown of people that came to see! Shanghai was just as bad. Been up the big tower yet? How about the mag lev train? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Walker Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Sounds like fun Did you feel the earthquake this morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 The traffic out there is insane. All the cars have scrapes and dents which i think is because they use the horn and lights as brakes. Have you been out in a car there yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogmaw Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I think you will find that traffic is like that throughout Asia and the Middle East... great fun until you are on the receiving end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guigsy Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 its the same in india. "might is right" regards to the right of way. Im bigger. therefore i have right of way. Seems to work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Black Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Sounds a bit like Italy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RHDSupra203 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I have now been in the centre of Shanghai for 5 days.... and I keep laughing at the lack of order on the streets in terms of traffic and pedestrians. Trying to get across a street even when the traffic lights are on red and the little green 'walk' signs says you can cross... it is still a game of chance. It seems cyclists, motor-scooters, motobike, some cars, some busses, some trucks... etc etc... they do not take note of the red lights. And when ever there is a queue it seems ok to push to the front..... and when many people try to push to the front there is instant grid lock when the cars are coming the other direction. Taxi drivers are all psychos.... in and out of traffic like there is no tomorrow... there is not real fast and slow lane or no order to overtake on a particular side..... if they see the smallest of gaps then it is theirs !..... twice now I have seen them within cm's of scraping.... but the funny thing is ... is that nobody gets angry, it is seen as everyday life and everyone accepts that they are competing for space. It is more like the bigger vehicle your drive then you are more in charge. The most funny thing is that bikes of all types do not use their lights at night ! .... and the worst to look out for are electric powered bikes doing over 30mph at night with no lights.. as there is no sound. Already nearly seen one guy go over the bars and another guy come within a cm of being knocked over..... but again... nobody gets angry... they just take a deep breath and on their way ! Yeah that's classic! Haha so many chinese people and so very little road. Sounds like a contest of luck then skill though. Hmm i wonder what china's accident fatality rate is in comparison to USA & Britians? PS: Did you get any tail whil ur there? Gotta love Asian girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJI Posted May 13, 2008 Author Share Posted May 13, 2008 Gaz - Yes big earthquake in south west China, but never felt any effects in Shanghai in the east. RHDsupra - I have noticed that I am getting so many looks... I am not trying to sound big headed or anything.... it is just that us westerners are seen as something 'exotic'... I am guessing we are seen as all being rich and probably something different from the norm. I am living in Shanghai for a while with my girlfriend (who's Chinese)..... she points out to me each time that I am getting so many looks and all the girl shop assistants will follow me around the shop in hope that I need assistance.... but she says it is normal for us westerners to get that. It can be a little embarrassing sometimes but at the same time you get to feel a little like a famous person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Sounds just like Egypt. We were all in a coach on a tour and there was just traffic EVERYWHERE and there was no order to it whatsoever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSoop Posted May 13, 2008 Share Posted May 13, 2008 Gaz - Yes big earthquake in south west China, but never felt any effects in Shanghai in the east. RHDsupra - I have noticed that I am getting so many looks... I am not trying to sound big headed or anything.... it is just that us westerners are seen as something 'exotic'... I am guessing we are seen as all being rich and probably something different from the norm. I am living in Shanghai for a while with my girlfriend (who's Chinese)..... she points out to me each time that I am getting so many looks and all the girl shop assistants will follow me around the shop in hope that I need assistance.... but she says it is normal for us westerners to get that. It can be a little embarrassing sometimes but at the same time you get to feel a little like a famous person. I should go there then! I wonder if Japan is the same lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.