A lay man’s guide to traffic etiquette in Chennai.
If you have just started to drive
in namma Chennai there may be times when you find that your reactions to
certain situations may be improper because of a communication gap that exists
between you and the other road users.
Let me explain a few instances:
(Please note that these instances
are from the perspective of the driver of a 4 wheeler & so may not be completely
understood by 2 wheeler users)
Instance 1: You drive down the road and then you see a 2 wheeler
rider diagonally across nodding his head up and down at you.
You think: he is saying “You can proceed” or maybe he is
nodding to music or even exercising a stiff neck
What he really means is: I am a (porambokku)
waste land and I am going to jump across you this second and if you do not want
to waste your car you will let me pass
Instance 2: You are driving down the road and there is a 2 wheeler
rider on the wrong side nearly blocking the path giving you a sheepish smile
You think: He is saying that he
is lost or he is not come to terms with the new one way diversions
What he really means is: I am a
(veenaa ponavan) ruin and I am going to ruin your mood by not giving way as my
time is much more important than yours and this IS my father’s road
Instance 3: You are driving down the road in the evening and there
is a car on the opposite side with the lights on high beam
You think: He is going to
overtake
What he really means is: I am (a kuruttu
kabodhi) visually challenged and I cannot see clearly even in bright sunlight, if
you think you can see well then ignore the light and just go
Till then safe driving!
Time-tested traffic guidelines from a seasoned driver in Chennai! What tips and wisecracks! Thanks. The language in parenthesis was wonderful ;)
ReplyDeleteJoy always,
Susan
Hahahaaa! Porampokku, veena ponavan, kuruttu kabothi.. whoa! The list is endless and gives nightmares to many.. Insightful post :)
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Anand
Life's like that
Nice one capi...
ReplyDeleteHahaha... i like instance 2..yean appan roadbaaa.... lol... my kinda guy....
ReplyDeleteHahaha... i like instance 2..yean appan roadbaaa.... lol... my kinda guy....
ReplyDelete@Susan Deborah: Glad you liked it, working on Part 2
ReplyDelete@Anand: Chennai folks can relate to this, have lost much hair in frustration
@ Anonymous: Thank you
@Vinu Nair: Shabbaa eppove kannu kattuthe!