BONUS: The 10 Levels of Street-Crossing in Dublin

The way that the people of an area treat the concept of crossing the street tells a lot about that culture. In Seattle people generally wait their turn to cross, but you can tell they're not happy about it. In New York City you use the crosswalk at your own peril - go ahead, but be aware that cars won't slow down for you. But crossing the street in Dublin is different from any city I've ever spent a significant amount of time in. It's a sport, and these people are serious about it.

Native Dubliners cross the street while staring down oncoming traffic, daring the cars to hit them. They will frequently cross one lane and wait in the middle of the street to cross the other lane. And absolutely no one uses crosswalks. That's one of the easiest ways to spot a tourist here. Well actually, the tourists are the ones who use the crosswalks AND wait for the light to tell them it's their turn to cross. I don't need the Man's permission to cross the street!

The reason I can speak about how "tourists" cross is because my street-crossing technique has greatly evolved since I got here. I started off waiting for the crossing light. Now I cross in front of cars with my headphones on and full knowledge that the cars will hit me if they don't actively slow down. This internal shift in mentality is fascinating to me. One day, after performing an especially impressive street-crossing maneuver, I offhandedly mentioned to Megan that I felt like I had "moved up a level." This got me thinking about what these levels could actually be. And so, I give you my best representation of: The 10 Levels of Street-Crossing in Dublin.

Level 1: Stands at crosswalk, waits for light to change, only crosses when other people start to cross.

Tourists.

Level 2: Stands at crosswalk, usually waits for light, will sometimes cross if there are absolutely no cars in sight.
Level 3: Usually stands at crosswalk, uses light when traffic is heavy, will usually cross if there are no cars in sight.
Level 4: Sometimes stands at a crosswalk, crosses when there is a large gap (1 or 2 lane streets only).
Level 5: Only goes to a crosswalk if it's in their path, crosses when there is a gap or when traffic is low, jogs to get out of the way of fast cars.

They ignored all the warning signs.

Level 6: Crosses at bottlenecks where number of lanes needed to be crossed is the least (usually exact opposite of a crosswalk), crosses when there is a gap or when the approaching car looks like a wimp.
Level 7: Crosses at any point on a street, uses the "halfway" method (crossing one lane and waiting in the middle of the street for a gap in the second lane).
Level 8: Blatantly walks in front of traffic, saunters in front of fast-moving cars, makes buses wait for them to cross.

These guys get it.

Level 9: Runs into the street just for the hell of it, stops in the middle of the street to have conversations, stares down semi-trucks as they barrel closer.
Level 10: Frogger.

And yes, there often is a river on the other side.