pedestrian

stockholm is like an infuriatingly benevolent parent. i like to think of myself as a notorious jaywalker, but here, i can't cross streets in all my rebellious glory because the cars always yield. in new york, darting across the street is a riotous thrill because i know half the cars accelerate when they see me; i'm not an inconvenience, i'm in a war! but here, a car will come to a complete stop for you, and the driver will shake their head at your saucy behavior, and it really gets me down. nothing neuters like other people's civility. 

and there are some people who get angry. kira, a dedicated feminist, is wont to yell jävla fitta -- fucking cunt -- at cars that fail to yield. i saw a postman on a scooter stop for a little old man shuffling across the street against the light. the postman beeped lengthily, disbelievingly. the old man continued down the street and the postman turned off in the same direction, slowed down to beep at him some more, and unfolded his middle finger before finally speeding off. these people may be finicky nitpicking sticklers, but they are in the right.