Crossing The Street

Coming into a new country means seeing a different culture and experience a new type of life. Having been here for nearly 2 months, I have seen diversity of so called cultural shocks. Among all of what I have seen, the one left the most impressive image in my mind is crossing the street.
In China, crossing the street may be the most risky movement in traffic, since the rate of being hit by the car when crossing the street is ironically high. Sometimes, innumerous cars keeps passing by when you are s standing on the zebra lines; sometimes, some drivers speeds up at the cross so that they will not have to wait for the red light regardless of the yellow light is on; sometimes, some drivers even neglect the red light and the people who is crossing. That are the reasons why when we are crossing the street in China, we must look around and around to make sure again and again that there is no coming cars and no potential dangers before we set foot on the crossing lines.
However, when it comes to Singapore, things are totally different. Pedestrians here are highly-regarded by the drivers compared with people in China. When you are crossing the street here and when the green light for pedestrians is on, you do not need to worry about anything. Without doubt, you can walk directly cross the street with head held high. You dare to cross the street even without turning your head to see whether there is a car rushing to you or not.
Take the following as a pragmatic example. One day, after class, I started my jogging exercise along the road. There was a gate of an underground car park few meters ahead of me. I slowed down my pace instinctly when approaching that gate. When I came across that gate, I stopped, stretching my head out to see is there a car going out or not, just like what I normally did in China. Coincidently, a Benz is coming out at that gate at the same time. But surprisingly, the Benz stopped. I was so surprised because this could never happen in China. A luxurious Benz could never give way to an ordinary pedestrian. I was puzzled, standing there and wondering if it was because he was answering his phone that he had stopped. I swayed my hand to show that you go first, please. Out of expectation again, the man in the car did the same body gesture to me to show that I go first! How come! I paused for a moment, wondering nothing in my head, suddenly shocked. The man did the same body gesture again for I did not move, but this time, with a warm smile on his face. Not hesitating for a second, I quickly ran in front of the car. Felling so warm and appreciate, I turned back after I passed that car, erecting my big thumb to that man to show my endless thankfulness. And that man waved his hand again for a good-bye.
I think why crossing the street in Singapore is a enjoyable matter is that no matter the drivers or the pedestrians, they all obey to the traffic norms. Since everyone conduct in a proper way, how would there be some thorny issues? No doubt my roommates always jokingly said that when going back to China, we may not adjust ourselves to crossing the street in China.