When right-of-way is wrong
The other night, I was descending Nelson on my bike, just approaching the intersection with Nicola, when out of nowhere, there are two pedestrians practically right in front of me. I hadn’t seen them sooner on account of it being a dark, rainy night and they were dressed head to toe in black.
I did see them in time to avoid hitting them, but couldn’t help but remark about the dangers (to them and to me) of stepping in front of moving vehicles. I was moving through an intersection with no stop sign, while they were crossing on Nicola (stop signs) and, I assume, had seen me with my bright flasher and bright, reflective clothing coming down the hill.
My remark, which was an attempt to be helpful, earned me an earful, ending with something about me being an asshole. I tried to reason with this couple, explaining that I didn’t have a stop sign and they simply needed to cross streets when it was safe and not step in front of a moving vehicle expecting to be seen.
No, they cried, they have the right of way!
“I’m a lawyer for Christ’s sake!” cried the female member of the pair. Yes folks, you have the right of way, insofar as drivers or cyclists aren’t allowed to run you over just out of spite. But no, you do not have the right to walk into a street, in front of a moving vehicle (which you can clearly see coming), at night, in the rain, wearing black, and assume the driver or cyclist will see you in time to avoid hitting you.
Good to see magical thinking is still alive and well among West End pedestrians, even the freakin’ lawyers and their verbally abusive partners.
–Greg Robinson
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out
After living in the West End for over 45 years and being born here, it’s time to get out of the rat race. The West End isn’t the place I’ve lived in for so long and the overcrowding and rudeness have changed the neighbourhood, and not in a good way. There are too many self-entitled rude people who think they own the streets with their cell-texting and pushiness. Whatever happened to please and thank you?
The community of the West End and the gay community are gone, replaced by people from third world countries and refugees who refuse to learn the language and become a part of our mosaic community. I go into stores, and no one speaks English. Don’t get me wrong, but it’s pretty sad when you are a minority in the place of your birth.
The new developments on Davie Street won’t help us continue to be a community anymore, either.
We will miss all the people we’ve gotten to know and care about over the years.
–Soon-to-be ex-West Ender
Cheap eats and great peeps
Re: “Quality food for less than a fiver,” Best of the City: Dining, Nov. 3, 2016
I completely agree that The Famous Warehouse is the Best Cheap Eats. Great value! However, more should have been highlighted about how great the staff is. As a 62-year-old, I am not in their target demographics, but the staff always makes me feel very at home!
–George Jorge Sadler
All rants and raves are the opinion of the individual and do not reflect the opinions of Westender. The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity and brevity, so please keep it short and (bitter)sweet. Email your rant or rave to [email protected]
