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You can always spot the Bostonian abroad

Maureeen Rogers tackles that report that claims Boston is the safest city in America for pedestrians, recounts an incident in San Francisco in which she and her husband were looking for a particular restaurant:

There was a woman a few yards ahead of us, and we caught up to her to ask for directions. After she provided them, I asked her whether she was from Boston (She did not have a New England accent). She said that she had recently moved from Boston, but asked why we might think she was a former Bostonian.

"You're the only one other than us who's jaywalking," I told her.

Earlier:
The Yogi Berra theory of Boston pedestrian safety.

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Comments

...the residents of Osaka have a similar reputation (and are similarly the butt of jokes made by residents of other big cities, including Tokyo).

(However, our Japanese sister city is Kyoto, while Osaka is actually Chicago's sister city).

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. . . of info about Osaka's rep regarding jaywalking. I'm gonna Cliffy that one next chance I get.

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Disregard of walk-don't walk signs in Osaka is legendary. ;~}

On the other hand, walking downtown on the sidewalks is a bit of an adventure -- as bicyclists are very numerous -- and also use the sidewalks. The nice ones do ring a bell when zooming past one from behind. A little nerve-wracking at times. Another odd thing, as far as I could tell, people did not seem to lock their bikes when parking them (in huge bike parking areas) downtown.

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I noticed that in Osaka too -- alas, I only had an evening to spend there. It seemed like an interesting place.

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Osaka gets lots of Asian tourists -- and a comparatively small share of Western ones -- almost the inverse of nearby Kyoto. (We were there 3 days -- and barely scratched the surface).

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She easily could have been from any number of cities in these United States where jaywalking is common, besides Boston: New York City, Chicago, and even San Francisco, and more.

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I've lived here in SF for almost 4 years now and there are plenty of jaywalkers. It all depends on the specific streets or areas. Financial district streets are a little narrower and tend to be one-ways which makes it easier. Other streets, like Market or Mission are so wide and so busy even I wouldn't try it. And I consider myself a jaywalking veteran.

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I am from Boston/Cambridge, r d say,"Onlybe, I shouleading this post in Italy. Since when is San Francisco "abroad?"

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Based on the fact that SF is somewhat west of Worcester.

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