Red Rover Red Rover.............

It seems that I've talked more about myself then Vancouver here. For anyone who is reading my ramblings I guess I owe you a little something about this town.


Rules for pedestriansVancouver:

#1) On Robson the foreign exchange students walk arm in arm from one end of the sidewalk to the other. When approaching them it's much like a game of Red Rover. So what you do is put your head down and keep walking, at the last second they will part like the red sea for Moses and you will safely make it through. Often I stick an elbow out for insurance or use my Beck(y) skate bag as a shield.

#2) NEVER say 'excuse' me when you wish to pass a slowpoke dawdling in front of you taking up half the sidewalk with their one friend taking up the other half. It's a sign of aggression here, I realize that in most parts of the world it's a polite way of letting someone know that you are in a hurry and you need to pass them......I guess it's the pedestrian version of cars using signals, which may explain why people here don't use their signals when driving....perhaps this is also considered aggressive.

#3) When the desire to walk faster then those meandering in front of you it is customary to make your presence know in the most passive aggressive way possible. You can try walking really close to the obstructing individuals while talking loudly, if you are walking solo cough in their personal space and if necessary stepping on the backs of their heels is also acceptable....as I mentioned in #2 NEVER ask to pass, you will only get yourself dirty looks, they will move, but in a Vancouver minute which is equivalent to a New York Week. I know I don't have that kind of time!

#4) When a group of individuals spill out of any establishment they will obstruct as much of the sidewalk as possible. Asking to be let through is again an act of aggression and you don't have all week do you!? This is much like the Robson game of Red Rover, barrel on through and they will each apologize for being in your way or throw you a dirty glance, it's a toss up. Remember the key here is 'Passive aggressive', direct verbal contact is an immediate confrontation. The alternative is to step into the traffic, which I do not advise.

basically if you've ever seen that Verve video (bitter sweet symphony) where Richard Ashcroft walks down the street bumping into people you have a visual on what you're in for. Just do what Richard does and you'll fit right in.....and you won't have to change your mold no no....no no.

In my opinion the city should paint arrows on the sidewalk to help people keep to the right like the flow of traffic, and like they teach you in kindergarten.