How many times do you press a button to walk across a pedestrian crossing? I push it at least twice just in case the first press doesn't register. Actually, it's more out of habit than anything else.
This is a report about potential electronic shocks received from pressing those big silver buttons found in this country's pedestrian crossings and how people are overcoming the "shock" obstacle by employing different techniques to press the button. It is quite humorous reading about how other people are do it. Especially during winter when the air is dry, I used to pull my sleeve down so that my fingers are not touching the button to avoid the electric jolt. I'm one of those people that generate a lot of static and my hair use to stand up simply because I'd just walked across a carpeted room.
Did you know that the big silver button in Australia actually vibrates to tell the visually and hearing impaired that it's safe to walk? Someone only pointed that out to me the other day. Of course, when it's time to walk it also sounds that annoying "puh puh" sound and people who don't have an impairment start walking an almost get run over because the sound is coming from the adjacent set of lights.
I've always taken note of the pedestrian crossings in the countries I've visited because it's always interesting how people in different countries tell their citizens to WALK and DON'T WALK. In Shizuoka, Japan they have their provincial melodic tune playing as you're walking across. I use to dream about it because I worked in the school that was directly opposite the crossing and use to hit a teacher with a ball of paper when they sub-consciously hummed it during the break. Now I miss the tune and sometimes sing it in my head as I'm crossing a road.
In Taiwan, the walking signal actually has a little man in motion - running like a little animated character to tell you to go. You get the count down as to how more seconds you have left before you get hit by scooters and motorcycles. Hong Kong has recently put the countdown on trial in it's busiest intersection in Central. Australia should take note. You'll have to be Cathy Freeman to make it to the other side of the road within the time given before the green man turns red.
Did you know that the big silver button in Australia actually vibrates to tell the visually and hearing impaired that it's safe to walk? Someone only pointed that out to me the other day. Of course, when it's time to walk it also sounds that annoying "puh puh" sound and people who don't have an impairment start walking an almost get run over because the sound is coming from the adjacent set of lights.
I've always taken note of the pedestrian crossings in the countries I've visited because it's always interesting how people in different countries tell their citizens to WALK and DON'T WALK. In Shizuoka, Japan they have their provincial melodic tune playing as you're walking across. I use to dream about it because I worked in the school that was directly opposite the crossing and use to hit a teacher with a ball of paper when they sub-consciously hummed it during the break. Now I miss the tune and sometimes sing it in my head as I'm crossing a road.
In Taiwan, the walking signal actually has a little man in motion - running like a little animated character to tell you to go. You get the count down as to how more seconds you have left before you get hit by scooters and motorcycles. Hong Kong has recently put the countdown on trial in it's busiest intersection in Central. Australia should take note. You'll have to be Cathy Freeman to make it to the other side of the road within the time given before the green man turns red.
3 comments:
YES!!! I knew everyone would finally come round to my way of thinking, the Fuji song is the best. I've been gone a week and miss it already.
I wish I'd recorded it now. Who do we know will entertain this request?
I bet Emi-Chan would if you asked her nicely...
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