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Q: Will crossing the street ever become easy?
One thing I hate about China is crossing a street. I can cross a highway at home and cars will slow down or stop. I can understand that when there is heavy traffic in China, if a car stops , it may not be able to move again because of all the people. Make more street tunnels or pedistrian bridges?
I have almost been run over many times in China. A bus almost ran me over, it started and made a left while I was walking by, a car coming down a driveway would not slow down. In both cases I had to run. With the car I looked the driver in the eyes and he would not slow down. I kicked in his door. I'd do the same at home if someone ran a cross walk.
There should be more driver ediquette, if not for the sake of less injuries, then what? I have only read about scooter fatalities, no vehicle related stories, but there must be tons.
Just grow eyes in the back of your head and join in on the worlds largest and longest running game of Human Frogger and you will be fine.
If they add stop signs and speed limit signs to the roads it could be better. They already have enough bridges. Look both ways and forget about walking just run as fast as you can to get to the other side of the road.
Just grow eyes in the back of your head and join in on the worlds largest and longest running game of Human Frogger and you will be fine.
Until today, I still embed myself in the middle of a flock of Chinese to help me cross roads here busier roads. The traffic lights in Beijing are mere suggestions to cars ... red doesn't mean stop, it was just a suggestion that they stop.
the new electric bikes and cars are the latest in stealth
you can't hear the things comming up behind you.
and for thows of you wanting to break up with your Chinese girl friend
crossing the road with them is not a smart idea.
Just keep a calm steady pace and make sure to make eye contact with every driver you can. They will see a "stupid foreigner" and just go around me. With the eye contact they know I'm paying attention but just too stupid to care so they (normally) don't even waste their energy honking a horn.
I actually have helped locals cross the street with the power of my white face.
Actually, doesn't the law say that they shouldn't stop? I mean, some do give warning, like a beep, or the high beam flash that leaves you blind. Otherwise, you have to keep your eyes open at all times. It's easier if you walk with someone else. This is the exact reason I don't wear my headphones while walking around in China. At least I have chance of hearing something coming at me.
The secret is to cross when somebody else does, but keep them between you and the traffic so they get hit first.
Oh, and a fatalistic attitude to life helps too.
RandallFlagg:
Use a human shield. Plenty more of them than of me. I like it. Living in China gives one a pragmatic outlook.
I have added music to my ebike I now use a JBL Xtreme and its loud and its good for Rock music so people can hear me coming.
why are there no stop signs?
one thing I hate is that the cars have a free right turn no matter if its your turn to cross the road or not
