Der kleine rote Diktator

Der kleine rote Diktator

It's no big deal in Ann Arbor to cross the road when there's no cars in sight, but in Germany, one might be less tempted to cross any road in the maiden country of the BMW. But honestly, it's even more than that. If you try and cross the road around, just about anyone else, expect to be belittled, and then some, and then some. You will be looked down upon, and maybe even hear a couple of colorful insults to go with it. Second, you could be sending an impressionable child to their death as they attempt to copy your rather thoughtless actions without checking to cross the street. If there is a little red man telling you not to, then why bother thinking there are other options, until the tourist shows up and opens some doors in your life. Third problem? There are many more cyclists in Europe than are seen in the United States, especially since it's so expensive to drive a car in European cities, let alone get a license in the first place. You get clipped by a biker in NYC, and you've lost at least an arm. Last issue...Germany invented the BMW, and has the Autobahn, which leads me to believe that they have a word for lead foot. In fact, it's »Bleifuß«. When's the last time you looked down the road at an M3 and thought you could chance it. If the car is over 400 horsepower, the Hominids won't win. After all that, you can still cross the road, if you dare, but maybe it's better to wait an extra 15 seconds, take a deep breath, and enjoy one of the many under-appreciated European cultural nuggets: taking one's time.