Every country in the world has dangerous things. It is just part of life. And, though it is hazardous not matter where you live to lick a light socket, each place in the world has a slightly different set of dangerous things. Call it culture.
Those who live there learn to step carefully around them from a young age. Sometimes because their mother slaps their hand, and sometimes because their mother lets them touch the fire. But we all learn.
For those of us who did not grow up in the culture we are currently living in, experiencing those dangerous things often result in heart palpitations, dizziness, dry mouth, etc., similar to the effects of some prescription medications.
Before I go any further, I must reassure my friends and family, namely my mother, that I am perfectly fine. I have the same number of fingers and toes that I did when I left LA. I do sincerely enjoy my host culture. In learning about China and coming to understand the Chinese culture, I have discovered one of the “dangerous things.”
Electric motorcycles.
Why would such a little thing be dangerous? It can’t go very fast. If you crashed, you could easily leap out of harm’s way. It is relatively reliable, providing you charge it. What could be so dangerous about that?
It’s quiet. The kind of quiet your dog is when he pads up behind you and sniffs the back of your leg with his cold wet nose. Of course when you shriek in fright, your dog immediately thinks he is headed for the dog food factory and begs forgiveness with puppy eyes and tail wags.
Electric motorcycles have not such emotion or fear. They are busy tootling away, carrying their driver to wherever it is they desire.
I guess I probably should stop and explain pedestrian rules. There really is no such thing as jaywalking. Or sidewalks for that matter. Oh, there are sidewalks. But to recall the words of that famous pirate, “they are more like guidelines.” Sidewalks are the same size as a small one way street. The only way you know they are sidewalks is that they are a small (one brick-height) curb up from the actual street. The actual street is for anything or anyone moving. The sidewalk is mostly for things or people not moving or moving very slowly.
Therefore, a sidewalk is entitled to have a person, a bicyclist, a donkey, a motorcyclist and a car just as much as a street is. The main difference, from observation and participation, is what you have to pay attention to. The street is generally where you watch your back, whereas the sidewalk requires you to direct most of your attention in front of yourself.
Cultural rules interact with each other. Which means you are going to get another culture explanation. Americans, on average, have a relatively large personal space. We walk around in little imaginary bubbles. We don’t like people to enter those bubbles without permission or unless they know us really well. Most other cultures have a much smaller personal space.
For example, talking two inches from someone’s face is not considered rude. I am not sure how big the Chinese personal space is; I havent really run around with a ruler measuring people while they talk. For one, it probably would not be appreciated. And for another, I am already considered odd enough. But I can tell you this—the Chinese personal space is much smaller than the American bubble.
Cars also have personal space. Don’t believe me? Look at how wide our roads and lanes are. Ignoring dumb cars like Hummers, do we really need that much space to drive in? In America, you would make sure you were a good few feet away from a pedestrian before you drove past.
Here, as long as the pedestrian doesn’t get hit, you are ok. And it is the pedestrian’s duty to get out of the way anyway. Sort of like a live version of rock, paper, scissors, except that what beats what just keeps getting bigger and doesn’t circle around.
What does all of this have to do with electric motorcycles?
Stated simply, they wizz by without warning several centimeters from your body. No warning, no safety zone. Just a quick breeze as they go by.
After several near heart attacks, the new pedestrian learns to pay attention. Life goes on as normal, albeit slightly altered from its previous conception.
But that doesn’t stop you from wanting to put a bell on the things.
