Asian Drivers Are Definitely the Worst

I think its pretty common knowledge and the root of many jokes, that Asians (particularly newly arrived or recent immigrants from China / Hong Kong) are the worst drivers possible.  Put a bunch of them together in a tight parkade, with many blind spots, and you have a recipe for disaster. 

Yesterday, I was at Superstore in Richmond.  This parkade isn’t all that bad (compared to Aberdeen or the Public Market, among others) and there is tons of space for cars to maneuver around, but apparently its not enough.  This particular spot we were trying to get into had two pillars on either side making it a bit more difficult to get out.  The car that was in the spot had a number of options opened to him to get out (see diagram) and of course, decided to pick the most difficult.  The easiest way would have been to back up a little and then go out the side of the parking spot as it was at the end of a row and there was a main corridor right next to the spot.  Another way would have been to back up to the left and then head right towards the main corridor.  But no, this driver decided to back up to the right and head left.  What he failed to notice was that there was a car right there waiting for another parking spot.  As he was backing up he got closer and closer to the car and eventually hit it.  He was looking at his left side mirror so he must have seen the car.  He didn’t seem to care all that much and drove off, never once looking back to look at the other car.  WTF. *&^%@!$&!%  There wasn’t any damaged that I could see, but still, isn’t it common sense to at least stop, get out and look just in case??  The lady driving the other car did and she was not impressed.

A diagram for easier understanding courtesy of Google Doc Diagrams – man I love Google

Then later that day we were backing into my driveway when we watched the most hilarious display of parking possible.  This guy was trying to parallel park, but there was no car in front of him, only behind.  Simple enough right?  WRONG.  As he was parking, he kept on opening and closing his front door to see how far he had left.  Then he got someone on the passenger side to open the door and check.  Finally, his passenger in the back seat also opened his door to see how far the driver had left to go.  So imagine, three doors open, three Asian heads bobbing in and out, one car trying to get into a fairly easy spot.  Hilarious!  I was watching this and couldn’t stop laughing (I’m pretty sure they caught me laughing too haha).  The final straw was when the guy in the back seat had to get out and direct the guy.  In the end they were still crooked and not parked legally.  FAIL.

Seriously!  How in the world did this guy manage to get his license?!  The last thing on the test requires you to back up into a stall at ICBC.  I doubt he could have asked the person testing him to open the door and check if he is in the clear!  WTF!!  But then again… rumour is, only in Richmond can you bribe your way into getting a license.

GAH!  Got to take my test soon.  My learners expires end of June.  Then I can join these whack jobs on the road.  At least I’m comforted by the fact that I won’t be the most dangerous driver on the road!