Yes, it’s true!
Reading that post headline you may be inclined to ask ,”What the F#*k are you smoking?!Have you driven in Joburg lately?! How can you say that?”
I can say it because over the past 6 weeks, I have been conducting research into this. Using a simple ‘pay it forward’ type concept, I wanted to really see whether motorists in our city have manners.
Two months ago , I decided it was time to put one of the Joburg myths to the test. Many people complain that drivers are rude , aggressive and impolite in Jozi so I came up with an idea to test the theory.
It’s called “Let 10 in.”
The “Let 10 in” method.
My research method was simple. Every day , I would let AT LEAST 1o people into the traffic with a ‘smile and a wave’ – A La’ Penguins of Madagascar. Every person who was waiting to turn, trying to change lanes or just needing to move into the traffic stream I would take it upon myself to let them in.
So I Did.
Skeptical at first, I started off by smiling and waving courteously or flashing my lights with a wave to let them know ,”I am letting you in.”
And lo and behold – 9 out of 10 drivers said,”Thank you.” Some, more than once.
I was flabbergasted. When did this happen? Where did the middle finger and hasty pull off into traffic go?
Astounded, I kept on. Into week 2 , week 3 , week 6 and the same results kept happening. What may have been coincidence in the first few days, was now a real phenomenon!
I drive all over the city , Louis Botha Ave in the morning and from East to West and North to South..but, regardless of where I was, my courtesy was appreciated with smiles, waves and surprise!
I even tried this on the Taxi’s and believe it or not , most (6/10) thanked me!
But there was more to come.
Not only did 9 out of 10 drivers thank me, but I found that more and more drivers would let me in!
Now I was convinced that Joburg Water may have been adding something to the supply! This was unheard of! Was I really in the right city?
I had to test more!
I then decided to see whether the same courtesy would be applied to me when I Didn’t let people in! Guess what?
It didn’t. Somehow in the great scheme of things, when I wasn’t letting people in , people weren’t letting me in-but when I did , then receive the same courtesy from fellow motorists.
S’true!
So in conclusion, it would appear from this research that we do have some of the most polite and courteous drivers in the world.
Pay it forward.
We all know that Joburg traffic is bad, but now maybe we can make it a bit better.
I am challenging everyone who reads this to take up the call of “Let 10 in.” Everyday I want you to let at least 10 people in and see for yourself what a difference it makes. While we are caught up in the insanity of daily traffic, bring some humanity back and commit to “Let 10 in.”
Would you do that? Please?
Do it for yourself. For others. Just to make someone’s day , or just test this theory for yourself!
One last thing.
Use #let10in @joburgtruth on Twitter and tweet to us on every day that you “Let 10 in.”
Or post on our Facebook Page if you aren’t ‘Twitterate’.
Do this for just 4 weeks and you will be amazed at the results and PLEASE pass this initiative on to your friends and family – let’s see if all of us can make our lives in Joburg traffic a little easier?
The fact is , we could all use a little courtesy in the traffic.
And that’s the Joburg Truth.
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