I live in Jersey City.. NOT US

Surprised with the title!! But thats the truth!!

Geographically, yes; Jersey City is very much the integral part of NJ. But morally, and actually, if you are new to US and you decide to stay in Jersey City, my friend, you are not going to experience the rosy picture that you have painted in your minds before coming here.

Especially if you are 2 miles around the Journal Path Station, be prepared to experience everythin you are accustomed to in INDIA.

The first thing you notice as soon as you land in Journal Square is, you see all familar faces (INDIANS); it would take you atleast 2 mins to spot a group of Americans. If you are making you way towards the Indian Square(The actual name is Newark Avenue), be prepared to see all Indians in the stores and streets.

Thers is a concept of Pedestrian signals even in India, if you are the one who is unaware of it, and got prepared to enter US learning it, you could as well unlearn it, if you decide to stay in Journal Square/Jersey City.

There are laws for the Cars that if there is anyone on the Zebra crossing, you are supposed to wait till he/she/they cross the road. This is followed strictly in US and thank god, they do. If the Pedestrian Signal starts counting down 5..4..3.. you can see people walking faster just to touch that Zebra crossing, coz after that you can take a stroll and you are sure that the cars will not move unless u cross. If in India, you will surely be run down by the cars/mopeds/bikes.

Thanks to the JCNJPD (Jersey City New Jersey Police Department) and their strict patrolling, (unlike in India), the cars still follow all the traffic laws afraid being caught and end up paying a huge fine.

If I were to tell that I saw people in the US crossing the roads in the middle of the road, if you were in Journal Square, you would at once ask me "Are you referring to Jersey City?"

Well, I do not say that the Indian population is to be held responsible for all this. I have not seen it and I do not comment on anything that I have not seen personally. However, watching some Hollywood movies, featuring Jersey City, I feel it has been like this for ages. I have also seen Americans doing the same as above. I dunno if they have been inspired by the Indian community here (or if again its been like that for some time now).

Its not that I do not do any of those things listed above. I agree to a certain extent that it depends on the urgency of the pedestrian. People may be running for a connecting train; some emergency; late to office and what nots. One would buy the excuse once in a while, but not always. RIGHT?