When to say when?

I have a coworker that's nasty like that. Had to drive his truck 40 miles back to the yard once. Spent a whole bottle of all purpose cleaner on the steering wheel and dashboard before driving it. Told the boss never again ask me to touch that dude's truck. I will quit before doing that...

 

Wait. DOT can cite you for your truck being dirty? And actually generate tickets for it?

I have never heard of such a thing, and I cannot imagine getting into a truck dirty enough that someone can write you a ticket for it.

 

First, I need to clarify that the original meaning of the term 'third world' has more to do with a nation's allegiance to capitalist states than it's actual economic status. But most people don't either know or use the term in the way they it was originally meant. These days a third world country is simply a nation with little industry and low GDP.

Let's see. Energy use per person is a pretty good indicator of a country's industrial status. It looks like you are right. Maybe three countries in Africa are not third world countries. Maybe. Saudi Arabia and the gulf states are not in Africa. They are in the Middle East.



Looking at this map of sub-Saharan Africa, we see numbers:



Seems like the richest nation in Africa has a GDP per capita which is slightly above the poverty line in the US. The 2017 poverty line for a single person is $15,060. There was one Northern African nation with comparable energy use. Energy use and GDP, as you can see by comparing where the aps overlap, are very connected.

No doubt that there are lots of small areas in Africa where the rich people live that are nice. I'm sure there are some decent cities and towns near tourist destinations and other areas where money gathers for whatever reason. But as a whole, I think it is safe to say that Africa is almost exclusively a collection of third world nations.

That doesn't mean they have to stay that way, though there are many factors that are contributing to Africa having difficulty industrializing.

 

No way!! That is disgusting!! No normal person would put up with that for a second!! I would never get in a vehicle that disgusting! It amazes me how nasty people are... I know emergencies arise but for someone to have that little respect for themselves or anyone else just amazes me!!

 

@x1Heavy Best response ever lmfao
This is not Africa

 

Well there is only one country in Africa that is considered a developed country and that is South Africa.It is also the country with the highest GINI (income inequality) index score. Both these have the apartheid policies as a major contributing factor.

Now again with Apartheid there was a policy of separate (Apart) development (Heid = being). Indigenous Africans lived in areas that no one really developed much and the predominantly British , Dutch , French settlers lived in areas that they developed to 1st world standards. If these areas were metered on their own they would score in the "1st" world terms on most every index. As far as industry South Africa produces most everything that a 1st world country should. In fact I cant think of much that can not be produced in SA. Globalization means it is cheaper to import but that is true wherever. Some technical achievements that many may not expect , 1st attack helicopter able to achieve a full loop. Developed and built its own satellites , 1st African country to build nuclear bombs , CT scanner developed in SA , 1st heart transplant took place in SA. I'm sure there are more but these are what I can remember. Another one is the commercialization of turning gas in to liquid hydrocarbons. SASOL a SA company is investing up to $21 billion in building a plant in Louisiana for this purpose.

Up till fairly recently SA had the cheapest electricity in the world and excess capacity resulting in some large aluminium smelters been built there even though SA has no viable Bauxite reserves as electricity is the biggest input cost of producing the metal.

Cant argue here but in reality the gap is way smaller (But still huge) than it appears. Main reasons are that the real GDP in many African countries does not measure what is termed grey or informal economy which is often way larger than the recorded GDP. Second these countries currencies are often unrealistically weak in direct conversion to the US$ when compared to buying power. In South Africa I would say that the listed GDP per capita can at least be doubled when it comes to buying power of many things. Meaning with half the amount of dollars you can get the same. With $4000-00 per month you can live a good middle class life by western/US standards.

In South Africa these areas are not only for the rich but for the middle class.I mean middle class by 1st world standards. They are also not small. South Africa has by number the 6th highest number of malls in the world with large well developed areas that surprise many a visitor.

That is exactly how it is unfortunately. Namibia , South Africa and Mauritius have some larger areas that seem 1st world but on a whole the majority is 3rd world.

Well as stated South Africa was industrialized. It is de-industrializing since apartheid ended as those who industrialized it are leaving. That is a whole other topic but it is what it is. Now regarding state of cleanliness and hygiene inside truck cabs. I run about 30 trucks in Southern Africa and as with truckers in North America we get a mix of people. Some stink and everything in their truck is sticky. Documentation is often crumpled and looks like a dogs breakfast and some are super neat and clean , so much so that it is a compulsion. You know the trouble I have when I want to hot seat them in to some other truck for a quick local. Besides personality I think it comes down to education and standards you were set growing up. Therefore I have to agree that on average African standards lag but there is a significant portion that will put many a US trucker to shame.

 

Ask for a new trainer asap. Don't live like that. Also if you are with a company that wants you to team when your done with the training truck be as demanding with a co driver. It took me a few co drivers until I found one I could trust and get along with. Don't settle! Squeaky wheel gets the grease.

 

Trainer: "pass me my piss jug"
Me: "#### you"

 

Yuck!

Just don’t get in the habit of holding your urine for too long. Use a restroom proper if feasible, but don’t do it at the expense of your bladder. Too much holding can cause problems for you later.

 

I saw a documentary about the sanitation issues in Africa, kinda gross. Open defecation, sewage draining into agricultural areas... nasty.

Most of the world was like that not long ago. People use to dump their sewage right into the streets where everyone walked. I’ll bet that was a wonderful smell.