Stopping in the Shade

Tuesday 29 September 2009

Look carefully at where everyone has stopped for this red light. Do you see anyone stopped in the sun? Nope.

Here is another Taiwanese custom - stopping for the red wherever there is shade, whether it is a good place to stop or not.

I'll admit that in the tropical heat it makes sense, and I will do it myself if the shade is handy. The problem, however, is that people will go to extremes. In the heat of summer, you have to approach reds cautiously, in case there will be people stopping suddenly a half a block away from the intersection in order not to wait in the sun.