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Q: is there a superstition about not being 1st?
i saw 2 middle aged men boxing each other out for position to be first on the bus, while the bus was speeding into the bus stop , one even insisted on placing himself slightly in the path of the bus in order to be first. whether its cars trying to squeeze in front of crossing pedestrians instead of going behind them where there is ample space or a bus driver thinking he can out accelerate a sports car in order to make the left hand turn from the far right lane. why do people think you must be the first one?
It is not only about being first, it's just getting in front of as many people as you can. Happens whether you are waiting for the bus, pushing into traffic, trying to get on the train or getting off a plane. Probably stems from having shortages of so many things that you might miss out if you let someone in front. Doesn't seem to upset them as much as it does to westerners. This is because we have been brought up with the concept that it is rude to push in etc. I guess in China this is their competiotive release that many of us in Australia have when we play sport even at a very social level, so I just try and look at it as a sporting contest.
I totally agree with Woody. People sense that the single importunity in front of them might be the only one they may get so they lunge for it.
I just think of a story I read years ago . in a lecture about success ，the teacher asked the students a question ：who knows the tallest mountain in the world ？ all the students responded ：the mount Everest. the teacher asked again ：what's the second tallest mountain in the world ？ nobody could answer .
the teacher concluded： you either be the first ，or be unknown.
but I think this has little to do with the behaviors you said in the post . I'm very annoyed by it too .
Shining_brow:
Mt.Everest isn't the tallest mountain on Earth... it's the highest:
| "It is well known that the HIGHEST mountain on earth is Mt. Everest on the Nepal-Tibet border in the Himalayas. It stands 8,848 m (29,028 ft) above sea level." | 8,848 m (Everest) |
| "The TALLEST mountain on earth, measured from base to summit is the volcanic peak of Mauna Kea, one of five volcanic masses making up the "Big Island"of Hawaii. It is about 9,000 m (30,000 ft) tall, however only 4,245 m (13,796 ft) of that is above sea level." | 9,000 m (Mauna Kea) |
| "The point FARTHEST FROM THE center OF THE EARTH is the summit of Chimborazo volcano in the Andes of Ecuador. Its elevation is only 6,310 m (20,703 ft) but because of its location near the equator it gets a boost from the equatorial bulge caused by the spin of the earth. This bulge makes the earth's radius about 21,000 m (68,900 ft) greater at the equator than at the poles. In fact, the beaches of Ecuador are farther from the center of the earth than is the summit of Mt. Everest." | 6,310 m (Chimborazo |
