How to cross an Indian Road

Sama · Jun 8th, 2005, 01:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Maybe it's different in Bangalore, but here in Chennai there is an interesting fact about pavements...

They are full of huge holes that, once you fall down you will never be seen again. If you manage too keep an eye open for the holes you will cut your head open on the piece of angle iron, or corner of a billboard that you didn't see. Keep your eyes up and ahead and, if you are lucky enough to miss the holes you will spoil your day by stepping in something unspeakable.

Wow. Chennai is beginning to sound more and more like Chicago....can't wait, 88 more days from today!

cyberhippie · Jun 8th, 2005, 01:28

Carefully!!!

machadinha · Jun 8th, 2005, 03:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Drifter

Rule 2: In a group, you're harder to get run over, so join them EVEN if you don't want to cross a road.

And another great post to go down in the annals of IndiaMike lore!

"The world is changed... I feel it in the water..."

iwanttogoback · Jun 8th, 2005, 13:35

i found crossing the road in india seriously exhilarating, often we would be laughing when we made it to the other side.
we found the raised hand worked in mumbai and, wonder of wonders, we actually had traffic stop for us on a zebra crossing in chandigarh.
honestly, road crossing is fun, especially when more timid friends are hanging on to your arm and trusting you to get them across.

kiwi_razz · Jun 8th, 2005, 14:05

Its even more hilarious when you realise you've graduated from going downstream of other local road-crossers, and now you are leading the charge across and having locals follow you.

btw, the calcutta method above usually works in Bangalore, but personally I wouldn't rely on it. Its almost as if the handsignals mean "don't hit me!!".

Digital Drifter · Jun 8th, 2005, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberhippie

Carefully!!!

LOL! good one!

snowcrab · Jun 8th, 2005, 16:27

I feel like such an idiot these days standing with a totally empty street before me, waiting for enough cars to arrive for the light to turn red to stop them so I can cross.

Digital Drifter · Jun 8th, 2005, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

And another great post to go down in the annals of IndiaMike lore!

All in the interest & well being of IM'ers. One does not wish to return home minus an arm or a leg, would one?

After posts about
a) wiping the backsides
b) answering a telephone
c) eating
d) falling in Love

this is a perfectly serious topic to be addressed. Apparently, the moment someone steps off flight, they seem to forget how their body functions and senses worked. :-)

rangss · Jun 9th, 2005, 01:22

Watch the opening shot of Hyderabad Blues. It sums up "How to Cross Roads In India".

rangss · Jun 9th, 2005, 01:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwanttogoback

we found the raised hand worked in mumbai and, wonder of wonders, we actually had traffic stop for us on a zebra crossing in chandigarh.

This works anywhere in India. Only throw in some air of arrogance, do not look at the traffic, instead look straight and walk with your hand stretched out and palm signalling STOP as if the vehicles are trespassing your private property. Works like magic.

agni5454 · Jun 9th, 2005, 01:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maz 1979

I just stepped out in front of the traffic and held my hand up, for some mysterious reason this always halted thetraffic dead in it's tracks!!

Congratulations...you have unforseen powers

cathode · Jun 9th, 2005, 04:40

Pray to Allah, I am sure he will help you.. he help Mr Laden and sure saved his skin from bush... these are only cars with drivers on steroids gone wild

edwardseco · Jun 9th, 2005, 12:48

Yes! I love that movie, Hyderabad Blues. You cross in the middle of the road between cars so people can't quickly target you. I prefer to go with an old lady. They must know something if they survived that long and they can't move so fast that they leave me behind helpless. I will confess to using the auto technique a few times as well. I use this as an example of how theory is culturally relative as when people do this in LA they are squat in moments. The traffic engineers call it "mother in law" phenomenon. You bring your relations from abroad, they try the technique that worked at home and splat..

vista · Jun 9th, 2005, 12:53

Quote:

Pray to Allah, I am sure he will help you..

whoa... when did crossing roads become a matter of faith? or was it always so...did people go BISMILLAH !!!!! before they closed their eyes tight and whizzed across the bow of oncoming trucks and scooters ?

snowcrab · Jun 9th, 2005, 14:36

Everything we do is a matter of faith. The roadway, especially when the traffic is heavy and fast, just a very potent metaphor to keep us mindful of this central truth of our whole life. Zen of street crossing anyone?

Jun 9th, 2005, 01:22	#24
rangss Bulk Carrier Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,818	Watch the opening shot of Hyderabad Blues. It sums up "How to Cross Roads In India". __________________ ...and I took the road less travelled.

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Jun 8th, 2005, 13:35	#19
iwanttogoback is sorry Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,493	i found crossing the road in india seriously exhilarating, often we would be laughing when we made it to the other side. we found the raised hand worked in mumbai and, wonder of wonders, we actually had traffic stop for us on a zebra crossing in chandigarh. honestly, road crossing is fun, especially when more timid friends are hanging on to your arm and trusting you to get them across.

Jun 8th, 2005, 14:05	#20
kiwi_razz Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: London Posts: 410	Its even more hilarious when you realise you've graduated from going downstream of other local road-crossers, and now you are leading the charge across and having locals follow you. btw, the calcutta method above usually works in Bangalore, but personally I wouldn't rely on it. Its almost as if the handsignals mean "don't hit me!!".

Jun 8th, 2005, 16:27	#22
snowcrab Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alberta, Can Posts: 990	I feel like such an idiot these days standing with a totally empty street before me, waiting for enough cars to arrive for the light to turn red to stop them so I can cross.

Jun 9th, 2005, 04:40	#27
cathode Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: on this lonely planet! Posts: 35	Pray to Allah, I am sure he will help you.. he help Mr Laden and sure saved his skin from bush... these are only cars with drivers on steroids gone wild

Jun 9th, 2005, 12:48	#28
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 2,983	Yes! I love that movie, Hyderabad Blues. You cross in the middle of the road between cars so people can't quickly target you. I prefer to go with an old lady. They must know something if they survived that long and they can't move so fast that they leave me behind helpless. I will confess to using the auto technique a few times as well. I use this as an example of how theory is culturally relative as when people do this in LA they are squat in moments. The traffic engineers call it "mother in law" phenomenon. You bring your relations from abroad, they try the technique that worked at home and splat..

Jun 9th, 2005, 14:36	#30
snowcrab Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alberta, Can Posts: 990	Everything we do is a matter of faith. The roadway, especially when the traffic is heavy and fast, just a very potent metaphor to keep us mindful of this central truth of our whole life. Zen of street crossing anyone?

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