We now have a driver.  Most expats living in China have a driver, as the Companies do not what to take responsibility for us driving ourselves, with good reason.  There is one important lesson of the road in China…cars are bigger and they do not brake for people.  The real purpose of the horn is to warn people “I am coming so get out of the way”.  No one really stays in their lane when turning, as it is a free-for-all.  Cars turning take the right of way with other cars and pedestrians. When walking and the little man is blinking green to walk, it really means you may walk with caution.  Cars turning right will honk at you to let them know they are coming through without slowing down.  We won’t even talk about motorbikes as they drive through all lights and on the sidewalk.  I recently was reading an article about an American getting a drivers license and taking the test.  Here is my favorite paragraph from her story.
 
A sample question from the driving test:
You are driving up to an intersection where there is no signal or policeman.  A man is crossing in the crosswalk.  You should:
a) blow your horn signaling the pedestrian to yield
b) Stop and give him the right of way
c) Continue into the intersection
 
Hard to believe the correct answer is actually (b), huh? What really happens in China is (a) & (c).

Our drivee, Mr. Nie, is very nice and helpful.  It is very odd having a driver and hard to get use to it.  It is odd calling him to go to the store, etc.  We have a grocery store about 15 minute walk (Emmy factor is about 20 minutes).  I will walk there just to get some exercise.  My lifestyle has changed so much.  In Hong Kong, we walked everywhere and here no one walks as everyone calls the driver.  Hum, must be why my jeans no longer fit as I walk ten steps from the lift to the van!!!