The scary thing is this makes sense......
Jul. 28th, 2005 07:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
patgundI commented last time I was out in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area that driving confused me.
Glad I wasn't the only one. (Post taken from the SCA Humor list)
First you must learn to pronounce the city name. It is DAL-LUS, or DAA-LIS depending on if you live inside or outside LBJ Freeway.
Next, if your Mapsco is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and buy a new one. If in Denton County and your Mapsco is one-day-old, then it is already obsolete. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere.
Dallas has its own version of traffic rules..."Hold on and pray." There is no such thing as a dangerous high-speed chase in Dallas. We all drive like that.
All directions start with, "Get on Beltline". Which has no beginning and no end. (It REALLY DOESN'T!!!)
The morning rush hour is from 6 to 10. The evening rush hour is from 3 to 7. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.
If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot.
When you are the first one on the starting line, count to five when the light turns green before going to avoid crashing with all the drivers running the red light in cross-traffic.
Construction on Central Expressway is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. We had sooo much fun with that we have added George Bush Freeway and the High Five to the mix.
All unexplained sights are explained by the phrase, "Oh, we're in Fort Worth!"
If someone actually has his or her turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect. Car horns are actually "Road Rage" indicators - and remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas.
All old ladies with blue hair in Mercedes have the right of way. Period. And remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas.
Inwood Road, Plano Road, NW Highway, East Grand, Garland Road, Marsh Lane, Josey Lane, 15th Street, Preston Road all mysteriously change names as you cross intersections (these are only a FEW examples). The perfect example is what is MOSTLY known as Plano Road. On the south end it is known as Lake Highlands Drive, cross Northwest Highway and it becomes Plano Road, go about 8 miles and it is briefly Greenville Ave, Ave K, and Highway 5. It ends in Sherman.
The North Dallas Tollway is our daily version of NASCAR. The minimum acceptable speed on the Dallas North Toll Road is 85. Anything less is considered downright sissy. It also ends in Sherman.
If asking directions in Irving or SE Dallas, you must have knowledge of Spanish. If in central Richardson or on Harry Hines, Mandarin Chinese will be your best bet. If you stop to ask directions on Gaston or Live Oak, you better be armed... and remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas.
The wrought iron on windows near Oak Cliff and Fair Park is not ornamental!!
A trip across town east to west will take a minimum of four hours, although many north/south freeways have unposted minimum speeds of 75.
It is possible to be driving WEST in the NORTH-bound lane of EAST NORTHWEST Highway. Don't let this confuse you.
LBJ is called "The Death Trap" for two reasons: "death" and "trap."
If it's 100 degrees, Thanksgiving must be next weekend. If it's 10 degrees and sleeting/snowing, the Fort Worth Stock Show is going on. If It has rained 6 inches in the last hour, the Byron Nelson Golf Classic is in the second round (if it's Spring) - and it is the Texas State Fair if it's Fall.
If you go to the Fair, pay the $8.00 to park INSIDE Fair Park. Parking elsewhere could cost up to $2500 for damages, towing fees, parking tickets, etc. If some guy with a flag tries to get you to park in his yard, run over him.
Any amusement parks, stadiums, arenas, racetracks, airports, etc. are conveniently located as far away from EVERYTHING as possible so as to allow for ample parking on grassy areas.
Final Warning: Don't Mess With Texas Drivers... remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas.
Glad I wasn't the only one. (Post taken from the SCA Humor list)
First you must learn to pronounce the city name. It is DAL-LUS, or DAA-LIS depending on if you live inside or outside LBJ Freeway.
Next, if your Mapsco is more than a few weeks old, throw it out and buy a new one. If in Denton County and your Mapsco is one-day-old, then it is already obsolete. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere.
Dallas has its own version of traffic rules..."Hold on and pray." There is no such thing as a dangerous high-speed chase in Dallas. We all drive like that.
All directions start with, "Get on Beltline". Which has no beginning and no end. (It REALLY DOESN'T!!!)
The morning rush hour is from 6 to 10. The evening rush hour is from 3 to 7. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.
If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot.
When you are the first one on the starting line, count to five when the light turns green before going to avoid crashing with all the drivers running the red light in cross-traffic.
Construction on Central Expressway is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. We had sooo much fun with that we have added George Bush Freeway and the High Five to the mix.
All unexplained sights are explained by the phrase, "Oh, we're in Fort Worth!"
If someone actually has his or her turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect. Car horns are actually "Road Rage" indicators - and remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas.
All old ladies with blue hair in Mercedes have the right of way. Period. And remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas.
Inwood Road, Plano Road, NW Highway, East Grand, Garland Road, Marsh Lane, Josey Lane, 15th Street, Preston Road all mysteriously change names as you cross intersections (these are only a FEW examples). The perfect example is what is MOSTLY known as Plano Road. On the south end it is known as Lake Highlands Drive, cross Northwest Highway and it becomes Plano Road, go about 8 miles and it is briefly Greenville Ave, Ave K, and Highway 5. It ends in Sherman.
The North Dallas Tollway is our daily version of NASCAR. The minimum acceptable speed on the Dallas North Toll Road is 85. Anything less is considered downright sissy. It also ends in Sherman.
If asking directions in Irving or SE Dallas, you must have knowledge of Spanish. If in central Richardson or on Harry Hines, Mandarin Chinese will be your best bet. If you stop to ask directions on Gaston or Live Oak, you better be armed... and remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas.
The wrought iron on windows near Oak Cliff and Fair Park is not ornamental!!
A trip across town east to west will take a minimum of four hours, although many north/south freeways have unposted minimum speeds of 75.
It is possible to be driving WEST in the NORTH-bound lane of EAST NORTHWEST Highway. Don't let this confuse you.
LBJ is called "The Death Trap" for two reasons: "death" and "trap."
If it's 100 degrees, Thanksgiving must be next weekend. If it's 10 degrees and sleeting/snowing, the Fort Worth Stock Show is going on. If It has rained 6 inches in the last hour, the Byron Nelson Golf Classic is in the second round (if it's Spring) - and it is the Texas State Fair if it's Fall.
If you go to the Fair, pay the $8.00 to park INSIDE Fair Park. Parking elsewhere could cost up to $2500 for damages, towing fees, parking tickets, etc. If some guy with a flag tries to get you to park in his yard, run over him.
Any amusement parks, stadiums, arenas, racetracks, airports, etc. are conveniently located as far away from EVERYTHING as possible so as to allow for ample parking on grassy areas.
Final Warning: Don't Mess With Texas Drivers... remember, it's legal to be armed in Texas.
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no subject
Date: 2005-07-29 03:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-29 03:48 am (UTC)Not to mention the streets that the even numbers are on *one* side of the freeway, and the odd numbers are on the *other* side of the freeway.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-29 06:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-29 07:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-29 03:30 am (UTC)Vancouver has these bits:
The morning rush hour is from 6 to 10. The evening rush hour is from 3 to 7. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.
If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot.
When you are the first one on the starting line, count to five when the light turns green before going to avoid crashing with all the drivers running the red light in cross-traffic.
aside: we've got red light cameras. And it's count to 3 here. Actually that's a law *wry grin* LITERALLY. Not many folks are aware of that.
Many roads change names in this area.... it has to do with "vancouver" actually being a whole bunch of cities rather than one but....
Languages: Mandarine, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Pakistani, Hindi, Spanish, and even some English occasionally. I CAN say where each language prevails, but it won't help much.
Note - each one of these cultures also has their own driving style. And if they're western English-types, 1/4 of the drivers are either drunk or stoned. Or at least that's my impression.
(don't ask)
Drivers who do especially stupid things (drive without ANY lights, do extreme speed in high-end sports cars and the like) are pretty likely to be armed and dangerous. So are helpless bystanders looking for help. One of the fun things about vancouver is the gangs here like setting traps like that... hence why there's rules against being involved with either group. Weapons are NOT legal here for the most part.... however not everyone follows the rules.
There's other bits too.... definite differences, but similarities too.
Flip side: Victoria - the second most British city in the world, after London.
Visit there sometime. Heck, visit HERE sometime :)
It's fun!
Just avoid driving.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-29 03:52 am (UTC)Weirdly enough, the part I had no problems with was the Trans-Canada. Basically the Californian in me went "Ah! A freeway! *NOW* I can find my way around. :-)"
no subject
Date: 2005-07-29 10:15 am (UTC)It's a fun city. I had to drive professionally for a while (deliveries of electronic equip) and got to see some of the worst driving this city has to offer - hence my description :)
Y'all DO have to come back here sometime though. Ta!