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Q: Does sounding a vehicle horn indicate agression/anger?
I live near a major roadway and the drivers of the trucks/buses sound their air-horn one after another for seemingly no reason at all, other than perhaps to indicate that they are approaching an intersection. Does this behavior, and the common everyday ubiquitous sounding of horns indicate aggression and anger? The reason I ask is that if it does, then there are a LOT of angry drivers in the PRC! Seems to me that aggression/anger are not the best emotions a driver might have whilst behind the wheel of a vehicle~
I equate it more with impatience: "move NOW !!!!! You're annoying me!!! I'm bored and not moving/driving as i want"
I have observed a lack of patience across the board: students have a very short attention span, hence the recourse to mobile phones within seconds of arriving anywhere.
It is exactly as Sorrel says. It is the culture of impatience here. Pushing people out of the way is second nature. No courtesy or sense of organization whatsoever. The general "get out of my way" attitude and "I'm all that matters".
No it's not. That is not the only reason.
If you have driven in China you will know that they use the horn as a warning for different situations.
Most drivers in China are taught to watch the cars/bikes in front and don't really bother too much to use their rear view mirrors or look beside them. They honk as a warning to let people know they are passing or getting in close proximity.
Cars also honk in residential areas around narrow paths because it is hard to see around the buildings and cars (again as a warning to others).
If you drive, you should honk as well because most people only pay attention to what is front of them and don't really use turning signals. They could easily cut you off (and they do) or run sideways into you if you don't let them know that you are near.
It's not just because of agression or to say "Move out of the way". I am sure others that have driven in China, such as Mike would agree. It's just their way, there is organization amongst the chaos.
Burak43:
I know this is the case, but I still find my self flipping the bird at people who honk at me.
Robk:
Why?
It will just make you look like a nut. Unless it is one of those asses that do a long annoying honk when they know you can't move... those guys deserve a boot to the head.
I actually prefer they honk when they pass, it tells me they are paying attention. I would rather have a signal than no signal because Chinese drive really badly lol.
Burak43:
Yeah, I know that in the context of China I'm being the weirdo, but I don't know, honking just triggers something within me, can't quite explain it, maybe I was honked at as a child haha? I should calm down.
And I agree, those long honkers are scum of the earth
That's is called Chinese harmony, a culture of "Me, Me, ME!" or "Me first!" and whoever else behave the same way is an asshole.
Not only on the road but everywhere, when at the supermarket person A (typical Chinese man in his 30s) is jumping queue ignoring other people's anger at him but shouting and swearing almost starting a fight at whoever jump in front of him.
Such behaviors are everywhere.
Agree with Robk & Sorrel.
I'd also like to add that the Chinese have not mastered propper agressive honking. If you want to get your way in a Chinese traffic jam stalemate. Sound the horn, and don't let go (not even for a millisecond) This will attract the attention of everyeone. If e.g. you are in a situation where some a-hole is coming the wrong way down a narrow one way street, just drive close up, likely you will get a honk from the a-hole, just sound the horn, leave it on, when he does a half assed gesture of reversing a couple of meters, roll after him, still while honking. To do this well, practice getting out of your vehicle, standing by the door, still without letting go, this will let you have a hand free for any gestures you find suits the situation you are in.
I have found that this method overrules the otherwise "valid" rule. That the bigger vehicle has the right of way.
Oops, I meant to qualify my enquiry by stating that honking due to an emergency situation is understood and accepted.
I was talking about those guys who blow looooooooong, repeated blasts for seemingly nothing, or certainly at the slightest cause. If you care to observe with me covertly, I can take you places where they will come up scant metres from another vehicle and lay on the horn steadily for a solid 20 seconds. I simply cannot believe that this person is not feeling anger/aggression.
Robk:
In that case, he is being an obnoxious ass and I enjoy just sitting there and staring at him while shaking my head. Not moving at all.
It only means pride and a need to be noticed. It says: "Don't go away until you dully noted my car".
I don't think it aggression. I think it's fear.
Fear of losing a day dealing with the consequencies of having a fender bender, or worse.
It is just fun to honk a horn, think of it like a new toy, it lets everyone know where the are. honk,,,,,,,, honk ,, here I am baby
I really like the taxis and pirate taxis that honk every single time they pass a person WALKING。 Such great service.
The buses and truck drivers do the exact same thing near where I live. There's an unregulated intersection with no stop signs or red lights, and the trucks and buses just blast through it, both in terms of speed and honking. While Rob has a valid point about letting others know your presence (for safety's sake), I take this practice more along the lines of "I'm bigger than you, and I'm going fast, and I can't be bothered to slow down or change course to avoid a collision with your puny car/ebike/whatevs.....so here's a loud horn, don't pull out in front of me!" Also, not in anger....just projecting that temporary feeling of power and importance, granted by driving the biggest thing in the near vicinity.
Are you really suprised?
It is merely copying what the government has been doing for decades - just blowing a lot of air to everyone... long and loud - but not actually doing anything useful (in this case - slowing down, avoiding an obvious accident - which will be someone else's fault... cos they blew the horn!)
However, not changing your stance, and advancing towards them threateningly is a good way to get them to get their hand off it.
(which 'it', I'll let you decide for yourself 
)
(I wonder if I can get an airhorn that blares 'You hurt my feelings by not moving out of my way")
when I am on a major road, I drive "normal" .. don't use the horn for any reason other than maybe a near collision................when I am touring around on the back streets, I use my horn a lot at intersections and when approaching pedestrians that think they own the road, when of course we all know, I OWN THE ROAD. It is a little too much, the horns. but really, not that bad. Seen worse/crazier in other counties.
When a baby gets a new noise making toy, he makes a lot of noise. It is the same with getting a car in China. If you have a car you want people to see you. Want as much attention as possible on yourself.
A thought based on what Shining_brow writes. Go back 20 years. Everyone are on bikes or walking. Along comes the mayor of the town, or maybe the party chief. He is driven in a brand new Toyota Crown, has a driver, he cannot wait for people to get out of the way, so the driver honks all the way.
This is just speculation of how it might have been.
Chinese use the horn in place of brakes. Brakes are only used when the horn hasn't worked to make the vehicle are person move and you're now half a car length from a collision. And to stop at traffic lights (does not always apply to taxi drivers), bus stops and upon reaching their destination. Notice at exam time, there are less cars on the streets due to the no horn blowing law. So they don't know how to drive without using the horn.
