Today I finally realized that there are two languages in China, the main language being Mandarin and a new language that has been emerging over the past decade...auto better known as beeping (car horns).
While we may think it is against our better judgement to pull out in front of a tractor trailer, it tends to be a common practice in this society. With the sophisticated system of beeps cars can actually communicate with each other which allows them to use the rules of the road more as guidelines instead of the law, this can even allow them to drive the wrong way on a busy highway and not cause an accident.
The system is based on the one-beep, two-beep, short-beep, long-beep system, for instance if a driver beeps once it means that he is on your right or left and to watch out for him if you decide to switch lanes, two beeps means you are going to run into me back off! When multiple cars are beeping at you it means that you have broken a vital law of the communication system which usually is due to drivers who are not proficient in this very complex language.
The effect on the passenger of any taxi is the equivalent of a 45 minute workout or a loss of 10 years on your lifespan. Some people who are thrill seekers may like to bungee-jump or skydive, however for many a trip in a Chinese taxi far exceeds any thrill of skydiving. Add to it the inability to understand the second language in China (Mandarin) and you have one hell of an adventure, you truly put your life in the hands of the driver and in many cases you do not know if you will live to see your destination.
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