In China, you can often notice a curious detail: boards or similar objects lie next to the wheels of parked cars. For someone who has never encountered this before, it looks strange – such a thing is practically unheard of in other countries. The first explanation that comes to mind is related to protecting tires from the sun and ultraviolet radiation. However, such "constructions" can also be seen in winter, which immediately excludes the influence of solar radiation as the main reason.
A logical question arises: why is all this needed then?
As it turns out, this practice has a very mundane explanation. Boards near the wheels serve as a kind of protection against dogs, which tend to mark their territory. The situation is well known: as soon as one animal leaves a trace, others soon join it. As a result, a kind of "marker chain" is formed, where a significant part of the local dogs can mark. This leads to the appearance of a persistent odor, which is especially enhanced in warm weather and can even penetrate into the car's interior.
In addition to the unpleasant odor, there is another common belief. Many believe that dog urine can negatively affect the rubber, especially on the sidewalls of tires, where the material is thinner. According to this logic, prolonged exposure can damage the tire and even create a risk of it being destroyed while driving.
A variety of objects are used as barriers – from ordinary boards to any available materials. Their task is simple: to physically block access to the wheels and thereby prevent contact.
Most often this can be found:
- in areas of private development
- on narrow streets with low building density
- in places where you are more likely to encounter stray dogs
At the same time, in areas with multi-story buildings or near office buildings, such measures are practically not used. This may be due to both the smaller number of animals and the peculiarities of the urban environment.
Thus, if there are boards near a car in China, this is not an attempt to "reserve" a parking space. It is much more likely that the owner is simply trying to protect the car from the unpleasant consequences associated with animals.
The essence of this practice can be reduced to several reasons:
- preventing the appearance of a pungent odor near the car
- attempting to protect tires from possible damage
- striving to avoid repeated "interest" from other dogs
Ultimately, it is a simple and affordable way to solve an everyday problem. Such a measure may look unusual from the outside, but in specific conditions it turns out to be quite logical and understandable.
