{Little Green Man}

Anyone else find this awkward/weird/interesting/[insert other vague adjectives]?

It starts like this: Everyone is walking at their own pace...... spaced out...... and then everyone gets clogged up at the cross walk waiting for the little green man to show up:

That lovely little man means that you can continue on your merry way. But until he shows up you have to stand next to all these people that you don't know. You all stand around, avoid eye contact, and space yourselves out so that you're not standing too close. It's weird. Maybe it's just me.

And is it possible for someone to "cut" in "line" while waiting for the crosswalk? I mean, they just arrived to the waiting herd of people and then weasel their way to the front of the crowd. Is that considered cutting? I have no idea!

And then there are those 2 people who, when walking, were about 5 feet behind and you could hear their whole conversation [how could I not?] but as soon as they approach the cluster of people the conversation dies and one of them says, "Oh, I'll tell you in a minute" and then as soon as everyone starts walking their conversation picks back up and you can still hear what Jamie did last weekend.

There's also that person with their music that's way too loud. If I can hear all of the lyrics clearly standing 3 feet away from you on the sidewalk next to a busy street then it's wayyyy too loud. Why aren't your ears bleeding??!!!? I can feel my maternal instincts building up and I feel I'll explode into "Turn down that music! The whole state of Utah can hear it!!! Do you want your hearing to be gone by the time your 30? Music that loud will melt your brain!!!!" Luckily, that hasn't happened yet lol.

Then there's that person who tries to strike up a conversation. Sometimes, this is enjoyable and can make the wait much more bearable. But once the little green man shows up do you continue your conversation? do you cut it short? What if they want to continue but they don't? What if they walk a lot slower than you have time for? Awkward.

Next is that guy who walks across the street even if the little green man hasn't given permission yet. Everyone exchanges glances and there's that "Well, he did it, are you? does that make it ok?" Usually everyone just stays where they are, but sometimes there's a snowball effect. Yes, there is a clearing, but... but.... the little green man isn't there!! Well, I'm not angel and I have jaywalked multiple times [example] but I just can't bring myself to do it if there's a crosswalk and a half a dozen people watching.

Finally after all this waiting the little green man shows up. And everyone starts walking. There's that weird first minute or so when everyone is still clumped up but eventually everyone's individual pace spreads them out.

For that minute or two everyone is together waiting for the same thing - the little green man. And then as soon as he shows up everyone goes back to being individuals heading their own direction. It's interesting.