Tom & Curley demonstrate proper etiquette when crossing Seattle streets

Amazon is expanding again and there are new fears about what all those pedestrians will do to traffic in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood.

“It’s going to be just more people lumbering through intersections. That’s what I’ve noticed more than anything else because I drive down there,” said KIRO Radio’s John Curley. “I see them at those stop signs clunking along with their shoulders slumped over and their eyes glazing forward, eating Thai food out of a bag.”

Tom & Curley Show co-host Tom Tangney said he thinks John’s perception of Amazon employees and pedestrians in the area is a little off.

“They’re all in their early 30s, they’re bright,” Tom said. “You’re talking about them lumbering, but really, it’s because they actually dare to be pedestrians when you’re trying to drive through the Denny Triangle.”

In his experience in South Lake Union, John said it’s like a “forest of lumberers” that don’t cross as quickly as he thinks is appropriate.

“When you’re crossing the street, you pick it up a little bit and you give a wave with your right or left hand, depending on if you’re going left or right on that street. That is the rule,” John said.

Tom and producer Bryan disagree.

“When you’re a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalk, you don’t have to thank the cars for the chance,” Bryan argued.

But John stands by his belief that pedestrians need to thank drivers for the chance to cross by picking up the pace a little bit.

“There is a reason you’re in your car. You have to get somewhere faster, so the other person has to yield to it,” he said.

What do you think?