Thursday, January 14, 2016

Jaywalking: Don't Even Think About it!

I would not recommend jaywalking or Jay-walking while in Shanghai.  While I have not seen it yet I have read online that China is cracking down on illegal street crossing by fining pedestrians, according to this site, granted it is 3 years old. Though I do wonder if it is a lure like in Manhattan.

You cross the street at your OWN risk, with or against the pedestrian light.  They do not care whether you are walking by yourself, holding the hand of a child or pushing a baby stroller, drivers have the right of way, always.  As I tell my 4 year old, "China drivers are CRAZY."   Rush hour is everyday all day long.

Jaywalking from NBC's Jay Leno, as seen in some of these clips, is not recommended either. The segment — which asked normal citizens to answer grade school questions about politics, science, and history — is the most depressing expose of the failings of the American education system. But, still, entertaining.  I would not be interested in approaching anyone on the street to ask even directions, mostly because I don't know where anything is, let alone in Mandarin.  But when talking Mandarin, each word can have at least 4 different definitions depending how you pronounce the word.

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