Don’t turn right on a scooter in Japan, or the police will come and kill you for your temerity
Well, not actually. But I had my first traffic stop on my way to work today, and it was actually a relatively painless experience. Dialogue may not be 100% accurate.
Baby blue (from car): Oi, you on the bike!
Rog sighs inwardly and pushes bike over to meet him, while BB steps out of the patrol car to reveal himself in full jumpsuited glory.
BB: You know that scooters have to do a two step turn when turning right?
R: Yes, but this isn’t a crossroads. Plus, that’s a no entrance sign, so there’s nowhere to stop.
BB: But you can’t turn right like that. Even when no-one is coming. It’s dangerous.
R: …then what should I do?
BB looks around, looks slightly baffled.
BB: Well, I suppose you have to turn left, go around that block there, come back, and turn left in here.
R: Sorry, I didn’t realize.
BB: Why do you need to go in anyway?
R: I work here.
BB: Oh. Pauses. Show me your license.
Rog suffers moment of of panic while trying to remember if he put it back in his wallet after bike test yesterday. Finds it. Relief.
BB: Well, it’s in order, and you can speak Japanese.
Rog cocks head at seeming non-sequitur.
BB: Just remember not to do it again. Go around.
R: OK, thank you.
I need a bigger bike.
Updated (April 14, 2008): I’m still baffled by the copper’s apparently sincere belief that scooters can’t turn right (the anti-Zoolander, if you will). The only thing I can possibly think of is that it doesn’t have enough grunt to get across one lane of light-regulated traffic, because, well… no, wait.
Any other ideas?
