Driving is a universal task, but its "language" varies wildly by geography. In Northern Europe, the "Dutch Reach" is a cultural staple—opening a car door with the far hand to force a look for cyclists. In contrast, driving in hyper-dense cities like Mumbai or Ho Chi Minh City relies on a "negotiated flow," where horns are used as sonar to indicate position rather than as expressions of anger.
Western drivers often find the lack of strict lane discipline in developing nations chaotic, yet these systems function through a high level of constant, low-speed awareness. Conversely, the German Autobahn relies on absolute adherence to lane etiquette; the left lane is a sacred space for passing, and a failure to move over can result in catastrophe. Understanding these global differences reveals that "good driving" is often just a reflection of a society's local values regarding space and cooperation.
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