“The only cultural advantage LA has is that you can make a right turn on a red light.”
— Woody Allen
Simplified Meaning:
Los Angeles is known for many things, but when it comes to culture, this saying suggests that it doesn’t have much to brag about except for one small driving rule. In most places, you have to wait for a green light to turn right, but in LA, you can turn right even when the light is red, as long as it’s safe to do so. This rule might save you a bit of time, but it’s not a big cultural achievement. The saying humorously highlights that LA’s culture isn't as rich or unique as people might think. Imagine you move to a new city and expect to find lots of interesting museums, theaters, and historic places. But instead, you discover that one of the few notable things is that you don't have to wait at traffic lights as long as in other places. Someone might be disappointed that this simple driving rule is considered an important feature. If you want to find deeper cultural experiences, you might have to look beyond this city's driving conveniences.