I promise not to prolong the agony of having to read about the recent trip much longer.  Two quick stories.

    We were in an airport in interior China, waiting on a flight.  Huddled around the only TV in the terminal were nearly two dozen adult Chinese men.  They were watching the Houston Rockets in an NBA playoff game.  (Keep in mind that Yao Ming of the Rockets, is the pride and joy of China).  The Rockets missed a key basket at the end of the game, and a loud, sustained groan came from the group.  It was extremely funny.  It would be analogous to walking past a group of American men crowded around a small television watching the Pakistan Cricket finals.  
    Similarly, the nightly Chinese TV newscast always had full coverage of the Rockets game.  No other NBA team is even mentioned.  They love their Rockets.......or I should say, "Yao Ming".

    Finally traveling through a relatively large city, we came to an intersection that was partially blocked by two vehicles and a small crowd.  As we made our way through the traffic jam, our host pointed out that few drivers actually have auto insurance.  Thus, when an accident occurs, the drivers exit their vehicle and negotiate out a settlement as to who was responsible, the approximate cost of the damage, and who owes what dollar amount.   Incredible!  No police.  No insurance appraiser. No attorneys,  No judges and No jury.  
    There is an urgency to negotiations if the vehicles are blocking the road.  Likewise, gaper blocks ALWAYS occur, but not just with the vehicles. In the post-accident scene that we witnessed, approximately a dozen people had gathered around the two drivers to enjoy the negotiations.  
    So, without Auto Insurance, the Chinese have eliminated the costs of insurance, courts, and legal fees, while providing yet another entertainment outlet for the masses.  They are brilliant.     (Although, since guns are strictly prohibited, that probably helps traffic negotiations from escalating too far.)