Body language Quote by Peter Hessler
““In China, the transition has been to abrupt that many traffic patterns come directly from pedestrian life - people drive the way they walk. They like to move in packs, and they tailgate whenever possible. They rarely use turn signals. Instead they rely on automobile body language: if a car edges to the left, you can guess that he's about to make a turn. And they are brilliant at improvising. They convert sidewalks into passing lanes, and they'll approach a roundabout in reverse direction if it seems faster. If they miss an exit on a highway, they simply pull onto the shoulder, shift into reverse, and get it right the second time. They curb-sneak in traffic jams, the same way Chinese people do in ticket lines. Tollbooths can be hazardous, because a history of long queues has conditioned people into quickly evaluation options and making snap decisions. When approaching a toll, drivers like to switch lanes at the last possible instant: it's common to see an accident right in front of a booth. Drivers rarely check their rearview mirrors. Windshield wipers are considered a distraction, and so are headlights.””
About This Quote
Source Article: "China's Traffic Culture", The New Yorker, 2015
Chinese drivers adapt fluidly to chaotic road conditions, using informal cues and improvisation, which can be both inventive and risky.
In simple terms: Drivers use intuitive signals and shortcuts, creating a flexible but unsafe driving style.
Balance creativity with safety on the road.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- driving lessons
- city planning
- cross‑cultural studies
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can traffic safety be improved without stifling local driving habits?
- What role does urban design play in shaping driver behavior?
Such practices can endanger pedestrians and increase accident rates.