Silencio

One of the first things I noticed when driving from the airport past midnight were the traffic signs that read "Silencio" and pictured a horn with a diagonal line over it. The night was calm with little traffic and the sign seemed not to have much purpose.

Only the next day I understood.

Here, honking the horn seems to be an essential part of driving. Perhaps it's the drivers' way of expressing themselves. In any case, the level of noise on the busy avenues is deafening.

So far, I have detected at least four different meanings for the horn-honking:

1) Get a move on! (As in many other parts of the world.)

2) Need a taxi? (Anytime a taxi passes a potential client, i.e. me.)

3) This is not a bus stop! (By angry drivers behind a bus that stops to pick up passengers whereever it feels like – a variation of no. 1.)

4) Here I come! (When changing lanes despite the next lane being full, or when being about to driver over a pedestrian.)