The London way around

Tonight marked the lighting of Oxford Street, which is home to many of the largest and most lavish department stores (Harrod's being notably absent). I apparently missed the big to-do, as the street sweepers were already cleaning up what think (and hope) may have been post-consumer recycled paper confetti. Oxford, normally open only to buses and licensed taxis, was still closed however, which allowed the surplus of pedestrians to spill off of the sidewalks safely. At the intersections, however, officers were patrolling and strictly enforcing the crossing signals. This may seem reasonable to an American, but, in this city where jaywalking is not only legal but a legitimately recognized form of transportation, it's significant disruption. And indeed, although I could walk down the middle of Oxford, it took me much longer to make my way back to school, even though I, like so many others, dashed across a number of streets despite the displeased officers.

For those unfamiliar with London, I want to emphasize that I'm serious about jaywalking. Pedestrians do not have the right of way in many places Americans would expect it, and timing of crosswalk lights is not at all suitable for reasonable commute times. However, London does provide directional indicators ("LOOK RIGHT") and even small refuges in the middle of wides streets to help jaywalkers cross safely. It's a little scary on unfamiliar roads, but works great on familiar ones. And thus asking Londoners not to jaywalk is a bit like asking a bird not to fly, and hardly a way to make a holiday festival function well.