Culture shock in a car

Summary

An individual from Asia experiences a series of cultural and driving adjustments upon arriving in the United States for the first time in the early 1970s.

Abstract

In the early 1970s, the author, a new manufacturing representative for a US company in Asia, recounts their first experience driving in America after landing at Idlewild airport (now Kennedy International). With no prior experience driving large automatic American cars or on the right side of the road, they faced a steep learning curve. Despite the initial shock of driving a Chevrolet Impala and navigating American roads without proper orientation, the author managed to overcome challenges such as operating an automatic transmission, understanding American driving conventions, and even dealing with car troubles. The journey from the airport to the East Norwich Inn was fraught with mishaps, including missed turns, unfamiliarity with car parts, and the suddenness of power brakes. However, with the help of a gas station attendant, the author reached their destination and eventually adapted to American driving norms, including the discovery of car heaters.

Opinions

The author likely felt overwhelmed and underprepared for the driving conditions they encountered in the US.
There is an implication that the American colleague lacked cultural sensitivity or awareness of the author's unfamiliarity with US driving norms.
The author may have felt a sense of pride and accomplishment after navigating to the inn successfully despite the initial struggles.
The author's initial pride prevented them from asking for help, which could have made their transition smoother.
The author seems to reflect on the experience with a sense of humor, as indicated by the anecdote about not knowing about car heaters initially.

Culture shock in a car

Image by Gerad Carrier

In the early seventies, I joined a US company as their manufacturing representative in Asia. I had to fly from Kuala Lumpur to NY to visit the company‘s manufacturing plant for my orientation and training.

I landed on a Saturday night at Idlewild airport (Kennedy International) in December and was met and greeted by one of the company managers who informed me that I was booked into a room at Burt Bacharach’s East Norwich Inn, which was close to the company’s facilities in Oyster Bay. He gave me the keys to a rental car (a very large Chevvy Impala) and a local map. He said he would see me at the office at 8:30 am on Monday morning.

Now, prior to that night, I had never driven a large automatic American car and had never driven on US roads, let alone on the right side of the road. My driving experience up to then was in medium to small stick-shift cars on two lane roads in Malaysia, where everyone drives on the left side.

I know that the concept of culture shock never entered the mind of my American colleague. He probably did not realise I was a first time visitor to the United States, and even if he did, probably assumed I was familiar with what was certainly second nature to him. I was too proud to admit that I needed some orientation to the roads and cars in the US, so I thanked him, said goodnight and walked towards the car.

I placed my luggage in the boot (which I later learned was the trunk) of the Impala. I opened the car door and got into the front seat before I noticed the steering wheel missing. I slid over to the other side and positioned myself behind the steering wheel. The car just felt huge! I looked at the map, checked the location of the ignition slot and gear column and felt ready to proceed. I knew theoretically how automatic shifts worked, and placed the key in the ignition and turned it. The car started smoothly. I knew there was no clutch pedal but that I had to push down on the brake pedal as I shifted into drive mode. I eased off on the brake and the car started to move slowly. I then pushed on the acelerator and the car quickly lurched forward. I hit the brakes and almost went through the windscreen. That was my first experience with power brakes in cars. Seat belts were also not yet mandatory in all cars.

Anyway, I was soon on the road out of the airport looking for my first left turn. Left turn? No one told me about turning right to go left on a multi-lane highway, so I missed the turning, got lost and stopped at a petrol station where I explained my situation and asked for directions.

While at the “gas” station, the attendant noticed my rear light was not working. He asked me to pop the hood and check the fuses. Pop the what? He patted his hand on the bonnet of the car and I imagined him thinking, — “another dumb foreigner.” Anyway, he helpfully fixed the foreigner’s lights and gave good directions on how to get back on the highway to Long Island. After an hour on the road, with no more mishaps, I pulled into the parking lot of Burt Bacharach’s East Norwich Inn, feeling quite proud of myself.

I successfully found my way to the office in Oyster Bay on Monday mornng to begin my orientation. I soon got very comfortable driving my US car. I always drove in my overcoat in the December cold. I got even more comfortable, three days later, when I learned that American cars had heaters that you can switch on in cold weather!