Haha, oh yes. I wasn't in this situation, but I have seen pictures e.g. from India were I would die from an heart attack alone from watching how the people dance through the traffic, not mention to try it. No comparison to my German country where people stand still at a red light in the middle of the night and no car coming at all.
Story from Germany: A friend of mine lived in a small street that ended at a big multi-lane street. During the day, the traffic lights would usually be green for the big street, and only turn red when a car from the small street or a button at the pedestrian crossing triggered green for the lateral direction. For some reason, the trigger for the street didn't work at night, though. So everytime we stayed late at my friend's house, we would end up standing at the crossing and the light would never turn green for us. What to do? Simply drive through red light? Not a true German! Every time, one of us would get out of the car, push the button for the pedestrian crossing, rush back into the car, and then finally the light would turn green for us so we could drive into the intersection.
Italy was far worse! The trick was to maintain constant speed and direction so that you were entirely predictable, then grit your teeth as the cars whistled by. Beginners should look for a local, preferably, in Italy, a priest or nun, and cross when they do!
So true! I was in Vietnam and I noticed that this was the worse area for pedestrians that I have been to so far. (And I have been to 23 countries on 6 continents.)
So I adapted quickly to learning the traffic dance. When I returned to N. America, I tried that here in the states and people flip out on you! I had people yell at me about traffic laws.
The traffic dance isn't all that hard. Well, we can't really stop midway as everyone wants to rush and no one stops at the zebra lines, so if anyone stops, that person gets hit by the upcoming traffic.
Inaccuracy: In VN, there are cars, buses and trucks, but the majority are scooters and lightweight motorbikes. Vietnamese go on 2-wheels more often than 4-wheels. And there are some ridiculous people who should be in the circus with what they do on the bikes, too (Look up for photo collection Bikes of Burden).
Haha, oh yes. I wasn't in this situation, but I have seen pictures e.g. from India were I would die from an heart attack alone from watching how the people dance through the traffic, not mention to try it.
ReplyDeleteNo comparison to my German country where people stand still at a red light in the middle of the night and no car coming at all.
Story from Germany: A friend of mine lived in a small street that ended at a big multi-lane street. During the day, the traffic lights would usually be green for the big street, and only turn red when a car from the small street or a button at the pedestrian crossing triggered green for the lateral direction. For some reason, the trigger for the street didn't work at night, though. So everytime we stayed late at my friend's house, we would end up standing at the crossing and the light would never turn green for us. What to do? Simply drive through red light? Not a true German! Every time, one of us would get out of the car, push the button for the pedestrian crossing, rush back into the car, and then finally the light would turn green for us so we could drive into the intersection.
DeleteHahaha! True Germans. I shed a proud tear
DeleteItaly was far worse! The trick was to maintain constant speed and direction so that you were entirely predictable, then grit your teeth as the cars whistled by. Beginners should look for a local, preferably, in Italy, a priest or nun, and cross when they do!
ReplyDeleteGood tips! That's actually exactly what my brother said (this comic's based on his experiences)
DeleteSo true! I was in Vietnam and I noticed that this was the worse area for pedestrians that I have been to so far. (And I have been to 23 countries on 6 continents.)
ReplyDeleteSo I adapted quickly to learning the traffic dance. When I returned to N. America, I tried that here in the states and people flip out on you! I had people yell at me about traffic laws.
Here's hoping you didn't go to Germany soon thereafter .... *shudder*
DeleteThe traffic dance isn't all that hard. Well, we can't really stop midway as everyone wants to rush and no one stops at the zebra lines, so if anyone stops, that person gets hit by the upcoming traffic.
ReplyDeleteInaccuracy: In VN, there are cars, buses and trucks, but the majority are scooters and lightweight motorbikes. Vietnamese go on 2-wheels more often than 4-wheels. And there are some ridiculous people who should be in the circus with what they do on the bikes, too (Look up for photo collection Bikes of Burden).
I've seen Bikes of Burden, that's an amazing book. Love it
DeleteAlso Cairo. Including the constant pace and direction for predictability. The only time I was ever hit was once when I hesitated.
ReplyDeleteI am Vietnamese. That's right. We love driving like crazy. Sorry about that. :)
ReplyDelete