I think they are so much in the group mind that they do many things to FEEL individual. Such as driving like a total dick. It's a desire to be free from strong social constraints I suppose.

That's certainly a possibility. Maybe they don't have any sense of respect for those outside of their family or coterie of friends.

being in charge of a vehicle often produces behavior inconsistent with the normal persona of that driver.

we have all seen the road rage types.

not unique to cambodia.

europe is full of it.

in texas drivers often open fire upon each other.

I was not thinking of such dramatic examples, but rather the thoughtlessness of their driving style which endangers the lives of others. Maybe a thread on Cambodian driving habits is in order.

taabarang wrote:If put in a group situation of unknown individuals i.e. no family members or friends; the driving situation turns into "I'm going to do what I damn well want to do and the rest of you be damned."

I was driving our big tuktuk down a narrow arterial laneway leading into 271 around peak hour the other day. A food cart was parked to the side causing one-way flow. A Lexus coming the other way actually -didn't- try and bully through so I stopped and waited for him, leaving enough space for a tight squeeze through. Bam! Two Scoopy bints came from behind and immediately filled the space, grid-locking the whole street. A few horns were blown, and the girls at least had the grace to appear shamed. Eventually someone moved the food cart and we untangled the mess.

Anyway, you're right.

Yeah, it isn't just the driving habits; even the way they park their cars so that traffic is blocked or ignore one way streets. It's their arrogance that aggravates me. They act as if it was their right to do what they damn well wanted that frustrates me. Frank Lee Bent mentioned road rage; hell this is the only country where I have experienced pedestrian rage.

notice this so much in PP, not so much in SHV mainly in the areas around the big and little market, people driving on the wrong side of the road, without their lights on etc etc

The sad part is eventually coming to the realisation that they're not (well, excluding luxury SUV drivers) deliberately doing it, they seriously have no idea what they're doing. I would put money on that they genuinely believe that turning right onto a major road does not require even a brief look to see if it's clear, it's the oncoming traffic's responsibility to protect their welfare... while they're texting... with ear buds in their ears... and no helmet... and eating a corncob... and carrying three large plastic bags home from market... and balancing a gas cylinder on the back...

TheGrinchSR wrote: too busy trying to sit in moral judgement of a culture that can quite happily survive without you forever.

All the personal sniping aside I'd say this point is debatable. Absent French intervention in the 19th century Khmer culture may well have disappeared through a combination of neglect and imperialist designs of the neighbors. Indeed much of the conception of what Khmer culture is owes much to the French commitment to both preserve and recreate a culture somewhat in their own image. They teetered on the brink again in the 70s until you know who intervened. Look around today and tell me Khmer culture is doing well-- literature, dance,, architecture, religion, an appreciation for history...it's not. Don't underestimate Khmer ability for self-destruction.

i've always found khmers are quite proud of their culture and history and rituals, its one thing that i love about the country