Driver and Walker

Today, I have a question that I want to ask both Americans and Japanese.

 

Please imagine.....when you are thinking to cross the road,  a car is about to stop in front of you to let you cross the road. 

How do you walk?

Do you walk faster? or do you walk slowly?

 

Me?  I usually  run to cross the road and I think many Japanese walk faster to cross the road whenever a car stops to let them cross the road.

 

The reason why I run to cross the road is because I know driver is spending time for me to wait.   So I don't want to take their time, too much.   That's why I run to cross the road.  The faster I can run, the shorter they spend time for me.   I am thankful for their kindness, at the same time, I feel sorry for them, too.  If I didn't walk, they could go without stopping.  

So the action of my running means an expression of  both my appreciation and sorry.   Once again, the faster I can run, the deeper appreciation I can show. 

 

On the other hand, generally speaking, many Americans don't walk faster whenever a car let them cross the road.  Rather they walk slowly.

Have you ever thought of the reason why?  I have thought it for a long time and I finally got it in this way.

 

I think the reason why they intend to walk slowly to cross the road is because both driver and walker know what is kindness. 

Needless to say, for the driver, kindness is to stop the car for the walker.   Because they intend to do kindness, they don't expect walkers to run.   By letting them taking time to cross the road, divers can feel great they are doing kindness.  This might mean drivers may not be happy to see what they don't expect.

 

Then, for walkers, what can be the good action of kindness.   Is it running or walking slowly?    When I made this question, the answer became clear. ...

I thought running to cross the road cannot be kind from the view point of the driver, but to receive drivers' kindness without hesitation is a great kindness from the walkers to the drivers.   The slower they walk, the better they can show their kindness.    

This means walkers' kindness can be to give a great chance for the driver to do kindness.

 

Now back to my question.  Do you think it sounds true?

 

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Comments: 1
  • #1

    mo (Sunday, 27 April 2014 23:04)

    Hi Kosen,

    I usualy give a small wave and try and make eye contact and hurry across the street to show my appreciation for the driver who has stopped to let me cross. I think is is common curtesy. Here is Seattle there are lots of cars and pedestrians. Drivers almost always stop to let people cross. I've been noticing people here seems to move a bit quicker here than Kauai. Lots of people from all over the world here, very diverse place.

    Hope you and your family are well,

    mo