The biggest challenge in Tianjin? Most of you probably assume my biggest challenge is communicating in a world where most people don’t
speak English. For example trying to make sure you order chicken instead
of snake hearts or not accidentally paying 1000 rmb instead of
the 10 needed to pay a street vendor.
But that is not the case, the
true everyday challenge that keeps me on my toes and trying to avoid sudden death is the simple task of crossing the street.
The
streets are filled with cars, pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, vendor carts, rickshaws of the electric type and human
powered, along with the random street cleaner and cart laden with wood or
cardboard at least 10 feet higher than the driver.
When crossing the street as a
pedestrian you must always remember
everyone else deems that they have the right a way- even if they are going the
wrong way down a one way street. I
think that is the secret here; if you act like you are going in the right
direction and if you pretend the light
is green it gives you the confidence (or stupidity) to navigate your way
through these streets and not get killed.
Going the wrong way down streets is quite common with the rickshaw drivers; in fact we search them out
for transportation during rush hour as it’s much quicker to get around. Cars are also known to take advantage of
this and in fact it is so common that there are street
signs requesting that people go the right way down the streets.
Most
of the locals don’t look right or left when approaching the point of crossing;
but I am still very American and not only look right or left but do it about a
dozen times. You must also be aware that cars can always
turn right on red and not only are they not required to stop before truning it seems to be the
law that they speed up.
To
cross the street as if you were a local you must act like you are going to
start crossing as soon as you get to the crosswalk- no pausing just start
walking in front of cars. There could be
dozens of cars going each way but that doesn’t matter—forge on! If you are a rookie you should opt to wait for a break in the traffic or any car willing to slow down for you, but even then you must still take a step or two into the
street. NO ONE waits on the sidewalk, in fact very few actually wait until the light changes. Quite often you will see multiple people in
the middle of traffic waiting for a gap to dart to the next lane.
Once
you commit to crossing do not hesitate, this is where I fail and Greg beats me
in the crossing the street “survival game “ each and every time. We walk the streets hand in hand all
throughout China , however when we get to a street crossing there is no holding
hands and I am on my own. This is fine
with me as Greg likes to “Out Chinese the Chinese” when crossing
the street (or as my daughter would say he’s a honey badger ) and I am much more cautious so am quite willing to
wait for the light to change .
Good
Travel and Good Street Crossing!
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