New York City Local Custom Tips by Carmanah

In Manhattan, the crosswalk signs state "Walk" or "Don't Walk", but this appears to be a suggestion, not a rule. If there isn't any traffic driving through the intersection at that precise moment, everyone just crosses regardless of the crosswalk signs. And heck, I'm sure crosswalks are merely suggestions as well!

If you come from a city where people don't do this, it might take a little getting used to, but then you learn to adapt. It becomes more efficient to walk block after block in New York this way, otherwise if you stop for every crosswalk "Don't Walk" sign, it'll take you forever to get anywhere.

Even if there are obvious oncoming cars, people tend to time it right, and they'll dash across the street after checking both ways. I imagine that cars do not stop for pedestrians (unlike some cities where if you're even standing on the sidewalk peering over the street attempting to jaywalk, cars will stop dead for you)...

... fortunately New York's not like that.

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