Jaywalking

People don't jaywalk in Seattle.  I don't just mean crossing in the middle of a block (aka not in a crosswalk), I'm also talking about when they are standing at a corner and the light is red and there are NO CARS to be seen anywhere, they will just stand there and wait.  wait.  for the light to change to green.

Being from New York, I had a really hard time with this when I first got here.  I'm used to just crossing wherever I want whenever I want as long as you don't get in the way of the cars.  So I would be at a corner with a handful of random people.  They would be waiting for the light and I would just cross.  But it always felt weird because they are still just standing there.  Or if there is a parent with their kids, they give you this evil look like you are teaching their children the worst thing in the world.

So more recently I have been waiting for the light to turn.  And, actually, I have enjoyed it.  It is actually relaxing to just stand at the corner and wait.  It makes me feel like I'm not in a rush to get anywhere and that I am just enjoying the day and the walk.  It gives you some random time to think without distractions.  But then of course I get distracted and always miss when the light changes until I see other people walking around me. But it's good.  Seattle in general is a much more mellow and slow city than New York.  People are not in a rush.  They walk slow and just take their time.  It's starting to grow on me.  The mellowness.  I've been walking slower and just taking in the sights.

Give it a try.  Wait until the light turns to walk.  That of course implies that you will be walking places which I guess most people don't really do.  They insist on driving their big metal boxes around.  Well, if you have some extra time, walk somewhere and wait for the light and think and be mellow.