Robs' Blog: incoherencies from an american ex-pat in exotic beijing,
  or: how i learned to stop worrying and love bureaucracy

so, i was on my way into work this morning. the taxicab that i was in was getting onto the fourth ring road, when we were hit by a car coming off of the expressway.

pretty severe jolt, the sound of breaking glass, etc.

taxi driver gets out, opens the trunk, puts a warning triangle behind the other car, and starts talking with the driver who hit us. more of an intense discussion than an argument. i feel the back of the car bobbing up and down as the taxicab driver is making his point that there was indeed damage done.

this is going on for a few minutes. i was thinking about just leaving ten rmb behind and getting another taxi. but, i thought the better of it. first, i was on the fourth ring road, and there would be a good chance someone would take the taxicab door off (or worse) if i were to open it. also, i didn't want to distract the taxicab driver from his negotiations. and, well, i wanted to see what would happen.

after a few minutes, i saw the driver of the other car give my driver some money (i think it was 70 rmb). the taxicab driver got the triangle from behind the cars, and we were on our way.

no violent exchanges, waiting for the police, filing insurance claims, suing for damages... quite honestly, i like this system much better.