Nevertheless, Chinese drivers haven't grasped the subtleties of headlight use. Most people keep their lights off until it's pitch-dark, and then they flip on the brights. Almost nobody uses headlights in rain, fog, snow, or twilight conditions - in fact, this is one of the few acts guaranteed to annoy a Chinese driver. They don't mind if you tailgate, or pass on the right, or drive on the the sidewalk. You can back down a highway entrance ramp without anybody batting an eyelash. But if you switch on your lights during a rainstorm, approaching drivers will invariably flash their brights in annoyance.
Chinese drivers exhibit a distinct lack of understanding regarding the proper use of headlights. It's common practice for them to leave their lights off until complete darkness, at which point they activate their bright beams. This tendency extends to conditions such as rain, fog, snow, and twilight, where using headlights is largely ignored. This behavior often leads to frustration among drivers when others use their headlights in these situations.
Interestingly, while tailgating and passing on the right seem to be accepted driving habits, using headlights inappropriately is a major annoyance. If a driver turns on their headlights during a rainstorm, the common response from others is to flash their high beams in irritation. This highlights a unique aspect of driving culture in China, where certain road behaviors are tolerated, but the misuse of headlights is met with clear disapproval.
