The Post also has something to say about this...
Link to article
Guide to walking - one step at a time
Kelvin Browne
National Post
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE (I)
Complaint Pedestrians forget what it's like to be a driver -- they walk as slowly as possible on a crosswalk when cars are waiting to make a turn or linger in the crosswalk after the ongoing traffic has been given the green light. Kelvin Browne I can only assume pedestrians believe the wide white stopline on the pavement in front of a crosswalk has magical properties that make it impossible for angry or distracted drivers to cross it and run them over. This is especially noticeable when a driver is trying to make a right turn and pedestrians appear to slow their pace on the crosswalk as if to say, "I'll decide when you make the turn, buddy." Talking on a cellphone or using a BlackBerry are sufficient excuses, it would seem, to justify keeping several cars stopped: "My call is so important I'll take it in the middle of the crosswalk." It's odd that the voice on the phone has more reality, and gets more attention, than the traffic swirling about.
Years ago, you tried not to keep a driver waiting if you were in the crosswalk and your light changed to amber. Even if you didn't move that much more quickly, you made the appearance of trying to hustle. You were likely a driver yourself and knew how frustrating it is to be stalled by a passive-aggressive pedestrian.
Today, few quicken their pace as a traffic light starts its countdown. "Let them wait." The worst offenders are those with baby strollers. The light may be yellow, but a pedestrian with a stroller shoves it forward, usually with an unsuspecting child who doesn't know he or she is being exploited. If they don't have strollers, these types use their dogs in a similar manner. Worst are jaywalkers who believe if they don't look at drivers in cars, they can't hit them. I hope they never find out this isn't true.
PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE (II)
Complaint People walk down the street and don't walk on the right and are forever bumping into fellow pedestrians. Similarly, people don't stand on the right on an escalator and walk on the left but stand, period, and stop others from moving at all. KB Therearekeyurbanskills that contribute to an orderly society and certainly make the simplest tasks much easier -- such as walking down the street. Walk to the right and it will avoid a constant succession of standoffs as you saunter along. Even in a polite encounter, it's very annoying when you're trapped in one of those you move to the left, he moves to the right but you move to right and then he moves to the ? and so on. Both of you are immobilized for minutes as you sort it out.
Most unpleasant are those, mostly under 30, who assume they are on the correct side of the sidewalk whatever side they're on. And you are not. These are kids who not only have never been told how to use a sidewalk but likely won't bother following the rules if they were given instruction. They believe in anarchy as long as they get their way.
Couples arm-in-arm tend to think they own the sidewalk, too. Ladies of a certain age who lunch will walk three abreast and assume you should step in the gutter and let them by. Many people with earphones glued to their skulls are unconscious of the world around them and are oblivious as they smack into you while they play they play their favourite tunes.
How to cope? Just stand perfectly still when someone is coming your way on the wrong side of the sidewalk. Usually the person approaching will adjust their course before there's a collision. If not, you've just given a pedestrian a civics lesson.
