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"Oh my goodness! How on earth did this car get parked like this?!" I believe many friends have exclaimed something similar in the parking lot. For instance, when you calmly park your car and are about to leave gracefully, you find the owner of the car next to you stuffing an SUV into an already tight parking space at an incredible angle. Standing there, you feel like watching a wonderful acrobatic show, and all you can do is admire.
Yes, this is the topic we are going to talk about today – parking. This seemingly simple but "adventurous" daily behavior.
When it comes to parking, we have to mention the "mysterious differences" in parking habits between drivers in China and the United States. I believe many friends have heard that Chinese drivers prefer to "reverse into the parking space" and seem to want to drive the car sideways into it. While Americans prefer to "drive straight in", choosing the most convenient way. So, what cultural differences and social phenomena are hidden behind these two distinct parking methods?
In China, especially in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, parking spaces are as precious as scarce resources. Open your mobile phone navigation, search for nearby parking lots, and looking at those red dots, have you ever felt a hint of despair? Finally finding an empty parking space, only to discover that it is pitifully small, as if it were tailor-made. This is when Chinese drivers show off their "reverse parking skills"!
You can see them observing in all directions, skillfully turning the steering wheel. The car is like a flexible fish, maneuvering freely in the narrow space. One forward, one backward, one more forward, one more backward… After a series of dazzling operations, the car is steadily parked in the parking space, with not the slightest deviation in the front and back distance. At this moment, you can’t help but applaud for this "parking master" and sigh: "Experts are among the common people!"
As we mentioned earlier, urban space in China is limited, and parking spaces are "worth their weight in gold". Reversing into the parking space can maximize the use of the parking space, avoid the long front of the car occupying the passage, facilitating both oneself and others.
Reversing into the parking space is safer. When we reverse into the parking space, our field of vision is wider, and we can clearly observe the surrounding situation to avoid collisions with pedestrians or other vehicles. When leaving, with the front of the car facing outward, the field of vision is also better, allowing for a safer entry into the lane.
In addition to the above two points, there is also a saying that reversing into the parking space has become a driving habit and even a symbol of "skill". Many veteran drivers are proud of being able to reverse into the parking space skillfully, considering it a sign of proficient driving skills.
In contrast, Americans are much "casual" when parking. In the United States, with vast land and a sparse population, parking spaces are relatively abundant, and drivers do not need to be as "meticulous" as Chinese drivers. American automotive culture advocates freedom and unrestrainedness, and the parking method is naturally more casual.
In American parking lots, you can often see drivers parking by "driving straight in". They do not adjust the car body repeatedly like Chinese drivers but do it in the most convenient way. Even some car owners will park the rear of the car outside the parking space lines and do not care at all.
This "carefree" parking method of Americans is also related to the relatively loose parking regulations in the United States. In the United States, there are no strict restrictions on parking methods. As long as traffic is not affected, drivers can freely choose the parking method.
China is a densely populated country with relatively tight resources. People pay more attention to efficiency and practicality in life. Therefore, when parking, Chinese people pay more attention to the utilization of space and the guarantee of safety. Reversing into the parking space naturally becomes the first choice.