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Duskypearls -> RE: Pet Peeves (10/6/2012 7:41:59 AM)
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I was born and raised on the East Side of Manhattan, NY, a highly populated place, with tons of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and MANY speed-crazed taxi drivers. Things move at a pretty quick clip. If a pedestrian knew what was good for them, they quickly learned not to tarry when crossing streets at lights, or inbetween. If you're only halfway across the street and the light turns red, you add some speed to your heels, so you don't inconvenience or delay the cars waiting to head off. This makes for a wonderful progressive flow in both kinds of traffic, and actually becomes like a well-timed dance.
HOWEVER, here in Colorado Springs, probaly 97% of pedestrians have the most highly inflated opinions of themselves, and not only do they refuse any attempts to integrate themselves into traffic in a timely way to work it, they actually go out of their way to act like they own the road. All day, especially in the middle of rush hour, without looking for traffic coming either way, they intentionally SLOWLY (and I mean slowly) walk across the street, holding traffic up in the most insane way, and will not consider changing their pace. Instead of 10-15 cars being able to make a right turn at a red light, you're lucky if 1 or 2 are let through.
It may sound petty and peevy, and I've seen my fair share of atrocities, but this, to me, is the height of selfishness and individual-think vs. group-think. Having always been one who desires to work for the greater good of the group, and not hold others up, this burns my butt, even after living here seven years.
I suppose it doesn't help that NY drivers learn to develop a right, lead foot, so I am often offered the opportunity to have my patience tried. I suppose that's a good thing...we can all afford to work on being more patient. To be honest though, sometimes they win, and I find myself wishing it was happening in NY, for they'd be roadkill in no time flat, and appropriately removed from the gene pool. Ah well, a girl can only wish!
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