Today, I came to a sad conclusion. My visual/spatial intelligence (according to Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory) is very, very low.
I’m terrible at chess, that’s one. I can’t see the big picture of anything. And today, I failed my jalan raya driving 5 mintutes after I started the car. ^_^
Because.I couldn’t remember whether to turn right or left.I ended up turning into the right lane on the left, was immediately asked to stop because of “dangerous driving”, and miserably failed. ( I don’t think my skill is that poor since I passed the bukit and parking components.)
Why can’t I remember directions? My mum even took the trouble to draw out the map for me and drive me around the area several times to help me remember the 4 tested roads. And at the very first junction, I faltered. I am getting more and more embarrassed as I recall it.
Or maybe the big burly officer with shades scared me and I panicked. (I am resigned to the fact that I am a very timid person. Seriously. It’s just weird how I can feel comfortable on stage.)
And then, when I registered for the retake…
Driving Instructor 1: See! I told you to bribe! Now susah lah, you have to take exam again.
Driving Instructor 2: Aiya, why you don’t want to bribe? If you bribe, can pass one lah!
Let me first clarify that I don’t think a bribe could have saved me today. My mistakes were simply too atrocious. But I understand that giving a bribe is a rather attractive and convenient option for a lot of people, especially those who are not confident of passing, like me. It seems quite harmless anyway, and saves you the trouble of retaking the exam. Still, I would encourage you not to bribe because:
- It is morally wrong.
- When you bribe, you corrupt the JPJ officers, the whole driving test system, and you contribute to corruption in Malaysia, which is the very thing you condemn, is it not? If you bribe, I don’t think you are in a position to complain about MPs who siphon money into their own pockets (and build their illegal palaces). They’re just corrupt on a bigger scale.
- You plant the seeds of corruption in your own life. I’m not saying that everyone who bribes in a driving exam will go on to bribe their way through bigger things–a lot of people know how to draw the line. My friends tell me that it is acceptable to copy in a small test but despicable to cheat in a major exam. To me, both are wrong, but my point is: they have a conscience and know where to stop. However, every action we take either weakens or strengthens our conscience. It is wise to discipline ourselves to do the right thing.
Meanwhile, I desperately need to develop a sense of direction, or else I won’t be able to drive even if I pass the exam on 4th December. Sob.
Nah, I don’t believe that you are bad in visual-spatial intelligence. You wouldn’t have gone to Maths competitions and national marching competition without a good visual-spatial capability. I guess you just panicked in the jalan raya test, which is really understandable.
Anyway I salute you for not paying bribe.. Haha, today I still pride in telling others that I passed all the JPJ tests without bribing a single cent. I believe that if you bribe for the first jalan raya test, it is really a sin as you are jeopardizing everyone else’s safety on the road. There are only certain cases where bribing is the way out, for example blatant corruption where they fail you until you pay them money. But even in this case, there is always an alternative, for example reporting them to the anti-corruption agency. But that would be really really messy.
i don’t know about this. but i think bribing is more realistic in malaysia. if you don’t bribe, you have to waste your precious time and money. first you have to waste your time sitting at the pondok at the institute, if you are lucky, you will wait for one hour. but if you are not, you have to sit there from eight till one to complete the whole test and procedures. secondly, it’s expensive sitting for a driving test today. so if you don’t bribe, you will have to spend near to a hundred ringgit to renew your L license and arranging for a second test. it’s just not worth the time and money. there are so much things waiting to be completed.
Chong: Yeah, it’s more troublesome I guess. But actually a lot of people who drive well in the exam pass without bribing.
Chang Yang: Hmm thank you for pointing out the blatant corruption cases. So sometimes it is really difficult not to bribe. But ei, marching does not require much spatial intelligence lah. Just walk around in a small square! =)
Hey, I’m not going to touch on anything to do with bribing in my comment, like the others did. Hah, just wanna wish you all the best in your coming driving test. You really have to relax and enjoy the session, then you can do it. I guess it’s because I have been looking forward to the days I drive (as it gives me a sense of freedom) that I found myself enjoying my driving test instead of feeling panicky about it. Hah. Good luck!!
Yay! *high five*
I didn’t bribe, but I am an official P-license holder now. Sad to say though, I’ve failed once too. On some stupid reasons – I think they did it on purpose.
Don’t worry, I think you’ll do fine. Have faith in yourself. I wish you all the best for the retest.
When you pass, you are an official member of the “no kopi-smell license club”! 😀
nooihoay and li enn, if i don’t pass i’ll definitely be jealous of you two. watch out. =P