The K Experience

I have lived in the UK, Slough (if that counts) for about 24 years, so that's pretty much my home. I love the place. Despite it's extortionate prices, dirty streets, stuck up Londoners (not all of you), chavs (well, actually you gotta love the chavs) and general crapiness, home is home, and it will always be. However, I have decided to come to sunny California to further my studies, and I will be stuck here for the better part of 4 or 5 years. So far I've been here about 4 months. The transition has been smooth, but it hasn't gone without its difficulties. The main problem with my thinking and many others' is that, because we speak the same language (just about), we are the same. But this isn't the case, and in fact it is so important to remember that the USA and the UK are two totally different countries, with different cultures.

For a start the language isn't as similar as many think it is. On the surface, there are the differences in spelling, where the Americans miss out the 'u' in colour, favour, armour, humour, (or the British miss it out, if you look at it the other way); Americans use the 'ize' instead of the 'ise' for the endings in British English, such as organize, recognize and realize (this I find the most annoying). There is also the American 'Aluminum' vs the British 'Aluminium' (the British have the extra 'i' after the 'n', or the Americans have one less 'i' if you look at it from a different angle). It goes as far as having different spellings for arse, aeroplane, bogeyman and the list goes on (UK spellings used). For a more indepth analysis of spelling see the wikipedia entry, and this one too for a more general explanation of language differences.

It's not just the spelling or the meanings of the words, but there are some cultural differences aswell. For example driving, which I would like to talk about in this entry. OK, so we all now that the British drive on the left, while the Americans and most of the other countries in the world drive on the right. But I just took my California driving test the other day (I passed ) and over here, you are expected to bring your own car. So here's my problem: I've just come into the country say, I want a drivers license cos I wanna drive, but don't wanna go to prison. So I have to purchase a car. To purchase a car you need a license. To get a license you need a car. Problem? Before you can take the test you also need to prove that you have insurance for the car. To get insurance you need a license. To get a license you need insurance. Problem? OK you could just ask someone, a friend maybe, to borrow their car, get insured on it (don't know how that would work), and do it that way, but say if, like i mentioned before, you just come into the country. Who would trust you enough, to lend you their car. The other problem is, if you've just come into the country with a foreign drivers license, like me, you can only use your foreign legally for 10 days. So you have 10 days to make friends with a stranger, and use them for their car. The other alternative is to rent a car, which just doesn't seem right.

 

Anyway, I don't have to worry about that anymore. But the other thing that bugs me is that a California drivers license qualifies you to drive a manual as well as an automatic, from doing the same test. So you can do your test in an automatic, not having to worry about any gears or any of that complicated stuff, and then LEGALLY drive a manual, without even knowing how. OK, so it is assumed that no one in their right mind, would drive a manual without knowing how but...hey...we all now that there are stupid people amoung us. In England (and i know how that sounds, but bear with me), there are two tests, one for manual, which most people do, and one for automatic. If you pass the test for manual cars, you can drive automatics legally with that license. However, if you pass on an automatic car, it is illegal to drive a manual car with that license. They are totally different cars, with totally different things you have to learn, so in my opinion the British have it on this one.

The final thing that gets on my nerves are the rear indicators, or tail lights on the majority of cars I've seen in California so far. Most of them are the same colour as the brake lights, and a lot of those are the actual same light! So when someone is braking and indicating at the same time the same light flashes. I know it's petty, and if you're not dumb (which hopefully a majority of the drivers won't have a problem with, but you never knooow!), then you will be able to figure it out. My point is, a brake light is just as important as an indicator, and they should not have to share the same resource. For safety reason they should be seperated. Someone who's in danger in their car, maybe having a heart attack or something ( ok they would probably blow their horn too, but play with me on this one) may put their hazards on to signify that they are in trouble. This could be mistaken for someone who just keeps on braking.

The indicators should be like this. Two different lights, for two different, very important purposes. I rest my case.

Well actually, this brings me back to another really annoying problem. If the tail lights were all changed it wouldn't make much difference anyway, as HARDLY ANYONE USES THEM HERE ANYWAY!!!!

I'll come to a close now. When it comes to driving in California, the terrible driving habits, the terrible roads (I could go on for another couple of hundred thousand words on how the design and layout of the freeway and highway systems in California are rediculous and are probably the cause of most the accidents that happen, but I will spare you), and the design of the cars (lights anyway) let it down, making the UK a winner on this one. Yea i know I'm biased, but hey, this is my blog, and I'm allowed to be. But I would freely contest with anyone who doesn't agree with me.

Drive safe, and use your damn indicators!

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Michael Jianoran  - No 'U' and 'ize' -.-" |02-09-2008 18:42:39 I've noticed the stupid spelling changes too.. Since I use mozilla.. it corrects your spelling right? so when ever I make a comment or reply to a comment on youtube.. it gives me the stupid red lines that indicate a spelling mistake =P For about.. 2 months I thought I was stupid cause I kept spelling "humour, favour, flavour, favourite and neighbourhood" like this! xD But it turns out there is a logical and reasonable explanation ... I'm british =P Anyways sir! It was really interesting reading your blog xD But there are some corrections that need to be made =P seeing as how I make the same mistakes.. I found came across them easily xD. "Drive safe, and use YOUR damn indicators" and also "a break light is just as important as AN indicator" Otherwise it's all good sir! =] oh yeah. I've been self taught ever since I got here. I've managed to successfully complete a high level song by myself =] but it took 3 months >_< Probably cause I kept going on and off and losing interest and kept getting bored =P But I've finally done it. I'll upload a video of it after I'm satisfied with myself. =] ~ Michael Jianoran Reply | Quote

K |02-09-2008 18:51:38 You don't need to call me sir anymore. Actually I should probably be calling you sir for pointing out my mistakes. They're fixed now btw. And thanks for the meatspin. Thanks to firefox noscript, and a bit of research I was able to spare myself the horror, and a nagging from my girlfriend for watching dodgy vids. None of that on here please, I prefer The K Experience to be safe for youngsters and lady folk! Reply | Quote

Rygar |03-14-2008 11:00:17 10 day licence? I dont know who told you that, but a foreign licence can be used in the UK for one year before having to be changed. In the event of taking a test, it is generally expected for the driving school to provide a car for the purpose of the test. Did you actually visit the uk before writing this trash? Oh P.S. I work in insurance, so ive dealt with these issues time and time again. Reply | Quote

K  - Please read the article before commenting. |03-14-2008 11:12:03 Rygar, something you seem to have failed to notice is the article mainly talks about driving laws in the US, California specifically, as many of the other States have differing laws. So When I say that a foreign license can only be used for 10 days, I mean that a foreign license (in my case a British license) can only be used in CALIFORNIA, USA for 10 days. I am well aware that the UK has different laws and practices, such as the driving school providing the car, as I passed my driving test in Ashford, UK in 1997. The main purpose of this article is to explain that I prefer the British system when comparing it to the California system. And to answer your final question, yes, I did visit the UK before I wrote this "trash", I lived there for 24 years! I would appreciate if you, and other people read the articles properly before commenting in such a negative and slightly offensive fashion. Reply | Quote

Tony |03-14-2008 12:02:42 LOL comment by Rygar...idiot! Reply | Quote

Sopeak  - Not just in California |03-14-2008 12:34:16 I stumbled here and I found your rant very interesting. I should point out that turn signals, or indicators, are not used in many places here in the US. I am currently studying in East Texas and I am appalled at the complete lack of driving skills here. Mind you, I grew up in the Chicago area (where aggressiveness is the key to getting anywhere), so coming down here was enough of a shock. No one uses their indicators, almost everyone runs the red lights (including large semi-trucks), and nearly everyone pulls out into your lane 5 seconds before you're about to run into them (and they don't speed up)! I often wonder what the standards for the driving tests are here. My wife actually closes her eyes so that she doesn't have to see what might happen when I drive (she's from the mid-west as well). In short, I can sympathize with your frustrations. Hope you're surviving out there. Reply | Quote

adam  - lessons |03-14-2008 13:46:14 I recently passed my UK driving test.To do this I spent 46 hours doing lessons ,each costing £20 Which I paid for myself.Total cost £920 or $1840 .Then had a 35 question theory test with a computer based video test called "hazard perception" Cost of theory test £21 or $42. Cost of Practical test (2 hours hire of car :£40 or $80 + £48.50 or $97) Total cost :-£1029 or $2058! So to sum up I spent 46 hours learning , 2 hours doing a theory test and 2 hours doing practical test including 1 hours practice beforehand.How does this compare to USA experience I ask ? How long on average do you learn before you take the test? How much does it cost you? Is there a theory test? Is there a "hazard perception test" or similar. I have watched some films where driving is taught in highschool. Is that normal? Thanks Adam Reply | Quote

K |03-15-2008 21:48:39 Great point Adam, It does cost a lot. In '97 when I passed my driving test, the lessons cost about £14 each, and I think it took me about 24 lessons before I passed, that's including the double lesson needed for the test and using my instructors car. Had to do the theory test which cost a bit. I think it had just been introduced the year I was doing it. I didn't have to do the hazard test though. That hadn't been introduced yet. But just think of all the stuff you learn from that instruction time. You do get your moneys worth. They say that the actual car operation takes only a few lessons to get to know, and most of the other lessons are geared towards driving etiquette, learning to be considerate of other drivers on the road and the rules etc. Am not sure what they teach in driving schools in LA, would be good to get someones comment on that, but I did have to do a theory test before I could take my California driving test. Not much different from the British one, in terms of format. If it's the first time you take it, you have to get 30 out of 36 questions correct (or something like that) if it's a repeat you are only allowed to get 3 wrong. Reply | Quote

John |03-14-2008 14:04:28 Also a being Brit ex-pat, it took me a while to work out American driving practices. I've worked out the indicator thing though, turns out if you actually use them on the freeway to change lanes other drivers instantly try to block you in so that you cannot move over, so it's actually easier to speed up and dive in where ever you can without indicating rather than let other drivers know your intentions. A sad fact but true. As far as using indicators to turn on to side streets it seems mid-westerners prefer to use telepathy. Good luck with your endeavours make sure you visit Big Sur while you are in California. Reply | Quote

Pear |12-18-2008 20:59:53 I would have to say that I'm quite terrified of ever having to drive in California. Perhaps it's only limited to Los Angeles, but I've heard horror stories. The traffic, I've heard, is especially horrendous. As far as hazard lights...they have a very consistent and speedy pattern to them. It would be highly unlikely that someone could mistake them for brakes. Someone would have to be highly talented with their brakes to replicate the pattern. Maybe it's just because I'm used to it. The issues with getting a license probably hasn't been brought up because most people just use their parents' car. That's what I did. Because we can get our license so young, we're usually still pretty dependent on the parental units when we take the test. However, laws are different per state, and they might be different from Michigan to California. It used to be that if one got a car license, they could also drive other types of vehicles, like motorcycles (now, it requires a separate test for an endorsement). If the manual was still highly popular, I might consider promoting an additional endorsement for that. It didn't go too badly just learning how to do it in an empty parking lot with my dad, though. Truly, if you don't know how to do it, you're going to stall the car out before you get to dangerous speeds. I think the point of my spiel is that driving habits vary from place to place, even within countries, and that I think California is a scary place. Oh, and don't go to Florida. Born and bred in America and I still can't understand their highways. Contesting done, I think. O.o Reply | Quote

Laian  - Interesting |07-01-2010 10:40:45 As a California native, I find this analysis of Los Angeles area driving very interesting, especially with the contrast to norms found in the UK. As a point of reference, in the States, break lights are not the lights on the back end of a vehicle which are/are next to the turn indicators. The break light is actually a light located within the back window of a car, which will light in correspondence to those on the back end of the vehicle (i.e. the combination of all three denotes the vehicle is breaking). Reply | Quote

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