Over Afternoon Tea

Tea is not only a drink but a ritual over which people have been relaxing, talking, and catching up on each other's lives for centuries. This blog is intended to serve as a virtual cup of tea, helping me keep in touch with friends and family in my physical absence.

How To Be a Boston Pedestrian
The Ultimate Guide to Fitting In On Foot In Boston

1. Wear black. Black is the preferred color at all times but it's absolutely mandatory after dark, and for crossing dimly-lit streets. (This rule works well for cyclists as well. And if you must have a light, make sure to hide it somewhere in the folds of your jacket.)
2. Sidewalks are for wimps. Make sure to walk in the road, on the street side of any parked cars. This is especially important if the road is curvy and dimly lit.
3. Never cross the street at a 90 degree angle to traffic. Then they would know for sure that you're trying to cross, for pity's sake! Meander out into the traffic at the most indeterminate angle possible, so that drivers are unsure whether you're following rule number 2 or actually crossing.
4. Walk into the street and...hesitate. Hold it there for as long as possible. Make sure you are just far enough into the street that the cars can see you (at the last minute) but not so far as to commit yourself to crossing now.
5. And finally, never, ever, use the crosswalk. If that's really the best place to cross, walk at least one or two feet to the left or right. Crosswalks are beneath your dignity.

Coming Soon: How to Be a Boston Driver