Will that car stop for you in beautiful Shanghai? Unlikely.
You know that Green Walking Man icon that indicates (in most countries in the world) that it is safe for pedestrians to cross the road at a designated crosswalk, because oncoming cars must stop?
Take this China travel tip and save a life: In China, the Green Walk Signal actually means… absolutely nothing.
Unfailingly, in the two weeks I traveled through China, I would start to stride across the crosswalk, the Green Walk Light beckoning me calmingly forward… when suddenly: SCREECH! Four cars and two electric-powered bikes would come careening across the crosswalk and nearly plow me over, as if no walk signal existed at all!
I would take to screaming at them: “GREEN! GREEN, PEOPLE, GREEN! GREEN MEANS IT’S SAFE FOR ME TO WALK!” But this protest was akin to screaming at a pile of metal: useless.
In sum: Do NOT rely on the walk signals in China for safely, travelers! Maybe in the future the government will crack down on traffic laws, but for now, tell yourself that Green and Red signals mean the same: Proceed with a TON of caution.
That is definitely a concern. Thanks for the heads up.
They probably won’t crack down on the rules.
Yep I remember that yep those were the days.
That is hilarious! I remember holding my mum’s hand and running across the street to go to another shop. I was literally screaming while running. People were staring at me and I swear to god my mum was embarrassed by my behavior. It was funny.
That is crazy. I probably would have called the police, but if people do not observe walk signals correctly then, the police probably do not need to exist.
Wow, that must have been really scary. If I was in thaat car situation, I would have been freaked out, too.
That is really funny yet scary ! I’m glad your okay. I also wonder what those people you were yelling at thought of you ? They were probably looking at you and thinking ” Tourests these days ! ” Ahahaha. Well good thing to know if I ever go to China !!
It’s a good thing you’re not hurt at least. When I went to China there were no stop or go signs; the cars will keep going. Until the light turns red you can cross quickly and pray that you’ll not get run over; seriously they don’t yield to pedestrians.
Really in Shanghai, the green sign seriously mean nothing at all?
That’s so funny! I’ve never been to China. Was it fun? Was it hard to communicate?
Funny but also scary to almost be run over by a car! It was definitely hard to communicate, but it was also fascinating!
Looks like lots of fun. Did you go to the Great Wall of China
We did hike the Great Wall! Photos and story here: http://www.aroundtheworldl.com/2011/08/16/an-epic-hike-on-the-best-part-of-the-great-wall-of-china/
Lokks like lots of fun. Did you go to the Great Wall of China
Did you talk to people in China? If you did, how did you communicate with people there? I wish I can go to china some day because it sounds like you had fun.
Yes! Some of them spoke some English and for others, my friend translated.
If the sign doesn’t mean anything then why do they use it? Anyways thanks for the tip I’ll keep it in mind if I ever go there!
This is so funny!!! Thanks for the travel tip.
Most of the places that I visited in China didn’t have any walk signals. It really was frightening crossing the street! I’m glad you made it alive! Hahaha!
In China, often , people don’t really care about the lights. The safest thing to do is to walk only when other people walk.
That’s so funny!!! When I went back to china to visit, I was so confused. They used plates as a wastebasket and bowls as the American plate. In China, nobody follows the signals, they just jaywalk across.
We’re in Shanghai right now – I think the little green man just means that there will be a slightly reduced chance of being flattened! Luckily, 6 1/2 years of dealing with being a pedestrian in Cambridge/Brookline prepared me for this. People in Brookline won’t even stop in a crosswalk for pregnant women with strollers…good training for China!!
I found the same in South Korea. It was more of a loose guideline than a rule. Same with zebra crossings.
Yupper, suggestions only – it is suggested that you can walk – but not really.
It is suggested that the speed limit is x, but not really.
It is suggested not to pass around a curve, but not really.
LOL – traffic is dangerous in all countries.
Pedestrians beware where ever you are!.
Cheers,
John D. Wilson