The Art of Crossing a New York City Street

Yes, it is an art. 

My Dad always used to joke that my stride was like Fred Flintstone - my feet move quickly but I still don't get very far! :)

I've been navigating through New York City for almost a month now.  In my first week or so, I jumped at every beep or siren I heard.  I can't count on my fingers and toes how many I hear each day but now I think I'm becoming more immune to it.  But the crossing the street part... yikes - still getting the hang of it!

I remember one time Tom and I were in Philadelphia and he walked across the street when the light wasn't green.  There was a car down the road that was coming, but he went ahead and walked across and I nearly had a heart attack.  After the light turned green, I met him across the street and I was like, "What are you doing!?"  He said, "C'mon, I'm from New York.  This is what we do."

Fact.

It is what New Yorkers do.

There could be a cab or bus or truck or person on a bike coming - but if New Yorkers are far enough away where they can speed across the street - they will do it.

Every day I am working on trying to walk a little quicker or speed (Fred Flintstone style) across the street at the yellow light - but there are so many times when I stop at the corner and the rest of the city keeps crossing.

I guess it's true when they say, "you can take the girl outta the small town but you can't take the small town outta the girl" but hopefully I will one day be a part of the "masterpiece" that is New York City Street Crossing.