KEEP CLEAR. Yes, that’s what you can see if you’re driving in LA. It’s written on the ground (huge letters so you cannot miss it) at a cross street usually or in front of a fire station … Why am I bringing this up?
Oh it’s very simple there is no ticket if you do not keep clear. So why do people usually follow the rules here? Even people who would drive very fast way over the speed limit generally follow them. It’s call courtesy it’s called living as a group of individuals in a society where the established rules are followed. Where people abide by these rules without complaining.
Also I’ve noticed that if there is one line that goes to the freeway and three lines available, you have the possibility to cheat. You can take the middle line for instance, put your indicating light and switch back to this horrible line with horrendous traffic (you’ll save a lot of time doing this) No no, some people really prefer to stay and wait in this single line that is heading towards the freeway.
I obviously do not know where I am going yet. I do not even own a GPS. Sometimes I get a little lost and I could end up being the cheating driver. I wouldn’t call it cheating since I realize the right line is the line to enter the freeway at the last minute.
Parisian people are all about getting there. Whatever it costs! If they can get a little closer to the lights and to their final destination, they’ll do it without even thinking about the consequences. For instance, they wouldn’t mind blocking some other driver at a crossing. Then the honking starts … It’s such a nice melody! You can hear it a lot in Paris. Light honking, horns, people yelling, it’s a daily thing. You live with it; it’s part of the culture.
Here in LA, I’m surprised to see that most of the cars are huge. I look inside and there is usually only one person inside: the driver. I’ve been wondering about the waste of energy a lot lately. If all family members (let’s say 5 people over 18 years-old) own a car, that’s 5 cars total! Which means, they’re spending money and gas 5 times. I mean this seems crazy for the environment. The odd thing though is that I realized my breathing is better in LA than Paris.
People told me LA was a horrible city, always traffic and polluted. I don’t know why what I do not feel it this way. Maybe it’s because I live close to the ocean and the wind freshens the air.
Back to this “keep clear” sign really says a lot. About the people and the culture shock. In Paris, I’d never keep clear. I have to admit this. I’d be the first to try to cheat on the road to get closer to my destination. Should we infer that it’s the same with the human personalities? Are Parisians never keeping clear?
We could say that keeping clear is an expression that holds different meanings. Being clear is what comes first. In order to keep it, one must BE first. Clear or transparent, unambiguous, obvious … Many synonyms exist for this word. I tried to compare my relationships with American people and French ones. It’s a rather hard comparison to make. Nevertheless, I must say that French people are more ambiguous and less transparent than Americans. I am not saying this is good or bad. Just pointing out a fact here. I guess the French culture is more about keeping secrets, having hidden thoughts or even hidden lives sometimes.
I think this ambiguity and blurriness comes from the lack of taboos. I’d focus on that in another post. For instance, I just noticed that in the US, if someone is cheating (professionally, sport, couple…) he is judged and put on trial by society. He is viewed badly by others. However, in France, it seems society: either doesn’t care so much about his cheating or do not take it seriously. It is as if people could cheat without consequences. Without being judged, without suffering and questioning their actions.
Maybe this is too harsh but I am just telling you how I see and experienced things in my life.
So keep on being clear, transparent … it seems to work and help everyone live in a better society.
YP
MonPetitLA 