Driving Lessons

[DoctorP]

Ok people...use this thread to discuss the proper way to drive. Point out things that you see done wrong, keep it semi-serious, and maybe, just maybe we can change the world! (or at least Okinawa!):scared:

[DoctorP]

Parking seems to be a big problem for both Americans and Okinawans. I will focus mainly with parking on the bases in this post.

In a parking lot, you should notice a little patch of pavement between the rows of parking spaces. These patches usually have diagonal yellow lines (sometimes white). The lines are a good indication that you should not pull your car into that area...but people do it anyway.

For those of you who don't know, that patch of ground is neutral territory, and is there for pedestrians to have a place to walk between the rows of cars. Why do they need it? Ask yourself the next time you are stuck behind a slow fat woman walking down your lane of traffic.

Unfortunately no one can use these zones for walking, because everyone parks their car as far forward as possible in their space and allow their car to protrude into the walking lane. Sometimes it is so bad that you can't even squeeze sideways between two cars.

Now you know what that space is for...help to educate the rest of Okinawa...get out there and get some practice people...I'm out there watching you!:rolleyes:

[P_chan]

Not to mention everyone parks crooked as hell on base. Once I lived in the dorms it used to annoy the hell out of me. Oh and the fact that no one has any regard for their car or anyone else's since they 'only' have it for two years.

[Muku]

Parking seems to be a big problem for both Americans and Okinawans. I will focus mainly with parking on the bases in this post.

In a parking lot, you should notice a little patch of pavement between the rows of parking spaces. These patches usually have diagonal yellow lines (sometimes white). The lines are a good indication that you should not pull your car into that area...but people do it anyway.

For those of you who don't know, that patch of ground is neutral territory, and is there for pedestrians to have a place to walk between the rows of cars. Why do they need it? Ask yourself the next time you are stuck behind a slow fat woman walking down your lane of traffic.

Unfortunately no one can use these zones for walking, because everyone parks their car as far forward as possible in their space and allow their car to protrude into the walking lane. Sometimes it is so bad that you can't even squeeze sideways between two cars.

Now you know what that space is for...help to educate the rest of Okinawa...get out there and get some practice people...I'm out there watching you!:rolleyes:

When can I jump on the band wagon about off base parking?:eek::D

[DoctorP]

When can I jump on the band wagon about off base parking?:eek::D

anytime...

[dk]

Use your turning signal before and while you turn rather than exclusively while you're turning.

If you're driving 20 below the speed limit and blocking a lane and there's a ton of space ahead of you, consider getting out of the way so that those of us who enjoy driving the speed limit can drive the speed limit.

Put down your cellphone. You can talk later. It's not an emergency. It can wait.

Green means go, not "contemplate". A turning light means turn. A yellow light means speed up. A red light means stop (if it's been red for at least 2 seconds).

[Honduh]

Not to mention everyone parks crooked as hell on base. Once I lived in the dorms it used to annoy the hell out of me. Oh and the fact that no one has any regard for their car or anyone else's since they 'only' have it for two years.

man, does this piss me off. I hate it when people bang the shit out of my cars.
If I see it, you better believe I start shit with them. ;)

[Muku]

First off I would like to say to our many Okinawan non-drivers out there that backing into a parking spot should not take more than 30 seconds or so.

Next to make life easier pull the damn car in straight, back out when you want to leave. Dont you realize that there are about 50 other cars waiting in line to get around your slow arse because you cant look over your right or left shoulder and need to open your damn car door every three seconds to ensure that you are between the lines.

Plus do please remember what direction your wheels are going to turn when backing up. If you turn the handle to the right your back wheels are going to turn to the right when backing up. Plus there is absolutely no need to go back and then pull forward 15 damn times to make sure that you managed to park your car exactly 2 centimeters from my car door with me in the car waiting to get out but afraid to because I thought you were going to actually hit my @6 foot 4 inch 240lb nearly invisible body, because you didnt take the time to look in your mirror or turn your head to the right instead of always looking to the left:cursing:

Then when exiting your car actually turn in a huff at me because I rolled down the window and asked you as politely as possible to move your car between the lines about 30 to 40 to the left so I could get out of my car?

Sorry more later my son has homework to do......

[P_chan]

Yeah I was really tempted to yell at this one guy who did it to my car while I was still in it. But it was raining and the wind was blowing and he was trying to put his kid in the car. The wind took his door right into my car, so it was an accident.

@dk
yeah tell me about it. I hate the super slow start up they do over here. Another one I've dubbed is the okinwan turn. It's the same principle as once they start driving after the light turns green. They will have the arrow for about 5 seconds before they start turning, and then it takes them 5 more seconds to get out of the intersection.

[dk]

But it was raining and the wind was blowing and he was trying to put his kid in the car. The wind took his door right into my car, so it was an accident.
I kinda had to laugh at this one. hehe. Sorry. I took vengeance on my neighbor's car this way, and I didn't even say sorry. He edged into my car and didn't even bother to tell me (the blue smear told me), so it was justice.

I hate the super slow start up they do over here. Another one I've dubbed is the okinwan turn. It's the same principle as once they start driving after the light turns green. They will have the arrow for about 5 seconds before they start turning, and then it takes them 5 more seconds to get out of the intersection.
True that, man. Drives me nuts especially when I'm driving north on 58 near Mihama. I don't know what it is about that area, but it happens EVERY SINGLE MORNING to me there.

[Muku]

True that, man. Drives me nuts especially when I'm driving north on 58 near Mihama. I don't know what it is about that area, but it happens EVERY SINGLE MORNING to me there.

You havent made the proper offerings to the drivings god's now did you?

Oharai yatta ka na?:D

[dk]

You havent made the proper offerings to the drivings god's now did you?

Oharai yatta ka na?:D
Screw offerings! That money is going to new rocket launchers I'm getting installed on my car this weekend!

[Muku]

Screw offerings! That money is going to new rocket launchers I'm getting installed on my car this weekend!
Nice try, but you WILL get stopped at the next light by the next idiot driver.

Pay the god's they will come and protect you from a certain amount of idiotic driver. It all depends on how much you are willing to pay that's all.

For 1000 yen you get 1000 yen protection, for 100,000 well you get the full service treatment.:D

[dk]

So, where is this god that I'm supposed to pay?

If he's at the DMV I'm just gonna go ballistic...

[Muku]

So, where is this god that I'm supposed to pay?

If he's at the DMV I'm just gonna go ballistic...

Well let me give you directions to my house............:D

[dk]

I thought so! I'm not so easily duped! :p

[Muku]

I thought so! I'm not so easily duped! :p

http://preview.dada.net/mobi/bkg/3/6/3/36312_l.jpg



Seriously have you ever had your car "blessed" at a Japanese shrine before driving it?

[dk]

No, I've never had my car blessed at a Japanese shrine before driving it lmao. wth?! lolol. People do this?

[P_chan]

I've got one of those little charms in my window. I got a bumper sticker too but I don't put bumper stickers on any of my cars and never will.

[Muku]

No, I've never had my car blessed at a Japanese shrine before driving it lmao. wth?! lolol. People do this?

Naritazan....yes many people do it. Ask your wife it is called "Oharai", and whether the car is used or new people will take them to the temple and the temple priest will say a number of prayers for your safety and the safety of the passengers of your car.

Then they will give you some sake to pour over the four tires of the car and also give you the "omamori" お守り
http://www.koryu.or.jp/kaohsiung/ez3_graphics.nsf/6EB6DC861140C5D049256FB3001169A8/$File/18-3.jpg?OpenElement

To stick on your front windshield towards the bottom of the window and a sticker to place on the back of the car from the temple 成田山沖縄 節分 Narita Zan, in Nakagusuku down the hill from the Nakagusuku Castle site heading towards HWY 329 is famous for doing "prayers" for safe driving.

People pay different amounts of money for different types of prayers over their cars.

It is a common practice.

[dk]

I'll ask my wife, but I'm really not into the whole prayer thing lol. For any religion. Interesting though. Thanks.

I did once see a Christian pastor bless a car though... That was different.

[P_chan]

Heh, I got mine from Narita Zan.

[Muku]

I'll ask my wife, but I'm really not into the whole prayer thing lol. For any religion. Interesting though. Thanks.

I did once see a Christian pastor bless a car though... That was different.

While it may be different the purpose is truly the same.

Heh, I got mine from Narita Zan.

Me 2:thumbup:
If I didnt have it done my mother in law would have probably castrated me in my sleep:-|

She is REALLY in to the religious stuff here in Okinawa.:eek: Boy if I get started about stories about her some of you people here might think that I am living with the .........winagushitu from jiguku:eek:

[P_chan]

Meh I just thought it looked cool.