Many people don’t seem to understand proper crosswalk etiquette.
So here are my Top Ten rules on How To Use A Crosswalk.
10. Make sure you walk ON the crosswalk. Not beside it. If you walk beside it, this defeats the entire point of a crosswalk.
9. Make sure you LOOK to make sure cars will actually stop. I’ve witnessed many people just strolling right onto the crosswalk without bothering to look left and right. I’m a good driver and I’ll stop. Other people (like that old lady who hit Reese Witherspoon) will not.
8. Don’t start a conversation in the middle of a crosswalk. This usually makes it so you forget that you have to keep moving. If you can do both at once, go for it.
7. Don’t hesitate at the end of a crosswalk. Just GO. I once saw a chick step onto the crosswalk, then step back, and then step onto the crosswalk again. I get you might be making sure cars are going to stop but if you see one not moving in front of a crosswalk, you’re good.
6. If your child suddenly decides to sit down in the middle of a crosswalk because they are being stubborn, pick said child up quickly. Don’t have a discussion with them in the middle of the street. Yell at the kid on the sidewalk. (Yes, this has happened to me. Thanks, Natalie.)
5. Don’t suddenly decide to check your phone. This generally slows you down and then I can hear your conversation. Unless it’s juicy, I don’t care.
4. If possible, RUN across the crosswalk. I do this. I understand people have places to be so I hurry to the other side. If this means I have to drag my kids, so be it.
3. Don’t STARE at a car as you cross. This creeps us out, especially if you trip when you get on the sidewalk. I always feel like I have something in my teeth.
2. Don’t walk slowly. Granted, if you’re old or have an injury, it’s acceptable. But if you’re healthy, get your arse across!
1. Never ever hold your hand up towards a car when you walk across. It’s rude. Someone in Boston did this to me. It’s like, lady, I was going to stop but now I sort of want to run you over.
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Amen. I think my foot would have "accidentally" slipped off the brake and onto the gas if someone was rude enough to hold their hand up at me. Grr... I even get mad when I let someone go in front of me and they don't acknowledge my act of kindness with a little hand wave. I have issues.
ReplyDeleteIf you could send this to the newspapers in Somerville, Cambridge and Boston, MA, I'd greatly appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I had some d-bag take her time strolling across the street, against the walk signal, while chatting on her phone. I drive a big 'ol Chevy so I leaned on the horn the entire time just so she wouldn't be able to hear the person on the other end. The "Don't Walk" signal isn't just a suggestion!
we have a cross walk at work where the walkers have the right of way. Somedays, I dare the cars to stop when I cross. I just step out and take my good ole time going across. And since the sheriff's office is right there, they have to stop cause if they don't, the sheriffs will be after them. lol
ReplyDeletethe holding the hand up thing totally bugs me! A lady did that to me in my neughborhood because there were kids around. I TOTALLY get being slow and safe in a car when kiddos are playing, but I was already at a stop and she still ran out in the street with a scowl on her face and held her hand up to me to stop! Geez lady. I get it! Already stopped here!
ReplyDeletehaha, love rule #1. People are so strange!
ReplyDeleteAmen to rules #1 and 2.
ReplyDeleteI love #1. good rules.
ReplyDeleteAmen. I am a rule follower, so I like this.
ReplyDeleteI visited Chicago recently and it just chapped my hide that people would cross the walk even when the sign had a clearly lit hand indicating to 'wait.' I was very upset. =>
Awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou should do a whole series on Life Etiquette.
Oh man, I totally agree with all of those!
ReplyDeleteThis is great...have you sent a copy to Reese? ; )
ReplyDeleteDid you read this list to Natalie?
ReplyDeleteOh God, yes. Especially the last one. If someone holds their hand up to me while crossing I reserve the right to hold up a finger to them. :) Unless it's a polite wave to say 'thanks for stopping', that is fine. Those are the rules.
ReplyDeleteSomebody put their hand up to me the other day while I was in my car. I had been stopped for them for awhile, and yes, it made me want to run him over.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me how some people don't stop to make sure cars see them there. Usually the cars see them, but there's not a magic barrier that protects them if they don't. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteSo funny. Love your rules.
ReplyDeletei fast walk across.
ReplyDeleteAs a former Reese-esk victim I agree with all the rules. I was following them except i should add a clarification to rule 9. Make sure cars in ALL the lanes stop that was my problem.
ReplyDeleteI do like when people do the "thank you" wave, I know I have to stop for you, but I appreciate that you appreciate it. But I always try to say "Thank you!" out loud to make sure they don't think I'm pulling a #1 move!
ReplyDeleteFor several years I worked in a tourist town where there are cross walks literally every 10 feet and still people would walk in between them. I got to where I just wouldn't stop if they weren't in a cross walk. Mind you, the traffic was so thick, I couldn't have driven more than 5mph if I wanted to. I had a guy punch my car one time because I didn't stop when he walked out in front of me in between cross walks.
ReplyDelete:( I'm guilty of #10... sometimes I just like to walk on the wild side...
ReplyDelete;)
I do enjoy the "thank you" wave, both giving and receiving, although I know it is optional.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't hang out in the crosswalk while you are waiting for the walk signal. Stay on the sidewalk for the love of Pete.
ReplyDeleteHmm, I do number #1 all the time... eek!! Anyway, thanks for visiting my blog on my SITs day, just getting around to checking everyone's blog out! :-)
ReplyDeleteYessssssssssss I should post this on every corner! Noone by us knows how to properly use one or they just don't care. There are people that just take their sweet time walking across as slow as possible and it drives me nuts.
ReplyDeleteNo. 10 may be my favourite.
ReplyDeleteLisaDay
I'm from New York, so I cross any damn where, but if someone lets me cross, I not only give them a thank you wave, but also pick up my pace to a near run. And when I'm driving, I always wave those pedestrians on.
ReplyDeleteI have to remember not to talk to JDaniel while crossing. We need to concentrate on crossing.
ReplyDeleteI swear NOBODY uses the crosswalks here. It's almost as if people AVOID them. There will be a crosswalk RIGHT THERE, but they keep walking to get past it before they cross. Don't get it. . .
ReplyDelete