| "Feminized" isn't the right way to put it. I just threw it out there. As you correctly point out, women in other cultures are quite assertive. I should point out that I am not the one to coin the phrase: http://www.askmen.com/dating/curtsmith_100/142_dating_advice... http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8... Walking in front of a car doing 50mph might be OK in West LA. Please don't try it in another country unless you want to experience their intensive care facilities. On the point of crossing the street with fast moving traffic, you don't really need to do what you are doing. It's a dance. If you've ever been to Manhattan you know what I am talking about. Cross a little, wait, one more lane, wait, etc. No big deal if you know what you are doing. What I am talking about is the total absence of the external appearance of awareness. It's one thing to cross the street and stare a driver in the eyes. It's quite another to cross the street while looking at the ground. I teach my kids that if there's no eye contact with the driver they don't get in front of that car. Plain and simple. They've also had some "training" in Manhattan and parts of Europe. You'll never see them cross a street without looking. To be clear, being masculine does not mean being a complete asshole. In fact, quite the opposite, in my opinion. It's a balance. It's being a gentleman while remaining assertive and considerate. It is yielding your seat in the train to an older person. While, at the same time, not bending with the wind when it is important. It's about a balance that I can't fully define. All else being equal, I don't think it has anything whatsoever to do with language. |
Try visiting Asia. They actively try to hit pedestrians to teach them a lesson, especially in large cities like Shanghai in China (TW and SG and JP are a bit better).
The opposite end of the spectrum is Denver, CO. People just wander around in the streets. It's a known thing. The cab drivers all hate it.
My point is that the culture of LA allows it, so you should do it. LA isn't any of these places. And yes, I'm bragging about how well traveled I am right now.