[OT] Dutch Reach [was Re: Where has the practice of sending screen shots as source code come from?]

[Adriaan Renting]

Adriaan Renting        | Email: renting at astron.nl
Software Engineer Radio Observatory
ASTRON                 | Phone: +31 521 595 100 (797 direct)
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>>> On 30-1-2018 at 19:22, MRAB <python at mrabarnett.plus.com> wrote: 
> On 2018-01-30 15:39, Steven D'Aprano wrote:
>> On Tue, 30 Jan 2018 05:48:15 -0800, Rustom Mody wrote:
>> 
>> [...]
>>>> Ah, yes, the Dutch Reach. That would be like the French Pox
(which
>>>> isn't French), the Spanish Flu (that didn't start in Spain), the
>>>> Jerusalem artichoke (which is neither an artichoke nor from
Jerusalem),
>>>> and the turkey (the bird, which has nothing to do with Turkey,
the
>>>> country).
>>>> 
>>>> This technique is neither taught nor commonly used used by the
Dutch:
>>>> apparently some Americans decided that because the Netherlands has
a
>>>> lot of cyclists, they'll say its Dutch.
>>> 
>>> reference please
>> 
>> The onus should be on those who claim that the technique actually is
used
>> by the Dutch. Anecdotally, the Dutch people I've spoken to on the
>> Internet had no idea that this technique even existed.
>> 
> Do we know of anyone who's Dutch and frequents a Python newsgroup?
:-)
> 

I am Dutch and after googling the term, I can confirm that the "Dutch
Reach" is taught in driving school here.
I was taught this maneuvre when getting my licence 20 years ago.

If it is actually used by a lot of people, I can't confirm.
I use it most of the time, depending on what model car I'm driving.
(wether the door handles are easy to reach/operate).

The way I was taught, you have to check your mirrors and then use it to
force you to check your blind spot, mostly to avoid cars hitting
you/your door on the drivers side.
I don't remember any specific mention of bicycles or use by passengers
of this maneuvre.

I think in general cars are a much larger danger than bicycles:
- Faster: More likely have not been seen by you or not see you.
- More mass: Damage much bigger. (yes also depends on the square of the
velocity).
- Worse perception. A Bicyclist usually has unrestricted hearing and
vision around themselves, and is much more likely to have noticed the
person in the car.
- Bicyclists will understand they are vulnerable and be more careful.

Motorbikes and mopeds are the hardest for me, as they are more likely
to be missed due to their speed.

And in the Netherlands, we largely solve this problem by just having
everyone on a bike. ;-)
(We do ride cars as well)

If you want to know more about how the Dutch go about their cycling and
images of Dutch infrastructure, then I suggest the BicycleDutch Youtube
channel, for example this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swqaAIkGtpA

The difference with a lot of other places, is that we use bicycles as a
means of transport, not as an excercise/sports device.
In general for distances < 15km (10 miles) and anything up to about the
size of a couch.

> [snip]