Yes, the car stops !

** Screeeeeeeech ** Honk** Abuse 1** Honk again ** Abuse 2** - are the unusual good morning and good evening salutations which mumbaites exchange with the rising and the settling sun everyday. Having endangered six most precious years of my life in a city like mumbai , I know how much courage it takes to step out of the house everyday and walk/drive on the roads. Every single soul wants to reach their destination with batting of an eyelid. The agility with which the cars, the bikes, the trucks, the cycles change the lanes would give a big time complex to the fastest reptile on the planet. I have not only witnessed, but have also been an active participant in violating the traffic rules in Mumbai. Not wearing the seat belt, rushing through the signal past 11PM, not waiting for the pedestrian's, bumper to bumper driving, impatient honking, changing lanes to get ahead in the traffic jam is something which every mumbaite identifies with. I too can !

Its been 3 months in the US of A..and there are certain things here, which are exceptionally brilliant. It would take years for India to compete on the same level. Amongst several things, what has impressed me the most here is the traffic sense and discipline of the junta on the roads. Honking is considered impolite. People honk only when you have violated some traffic rules. People who honk on the roads are considered to be unsophisticated drivers. Vehicles wait to give way to others on busy roads or blind turns. Pedestrian's command rights on the roads. There are push buttons on the poles by the road side, which allow them to indicate their intentions of crossing the road to the moving vehicles. Tell this to someone in Mumbai..and they will laugh it off. Push Buttons..eh? Even if you don't press these buttons and a distant driver sees you crossing the road, he will signal you to cross the road with a big broad smile. For some one like me who is used to growls and abuses, more than surprising, such acts of politeness are intimidating. Why would a car wait for you to cross the road safely? And on top of that they would smile and waive at you !! It took me a while, but now I have got used to this culture. Whenever the vehicle owner lets me cross the road, I waive back with a smile gesturing a Thank you ! It feels really good to receive an even bigger smile in reciprocation.
People are extra sweet here and at times it seems all fake and artificial. I am not doubtful of their genuineness, but i guess it would take me a while to get used to the yankee politeness.