> > > Just to get a little less serious, there are a few differences that I noticed on my recent trip to the States. My first sight of a "Walk/Don't Walk" sign was a treat, as was my first meal in Denny's.
> >
> > Gah. How can you say that going to Denny's was a TREAT? A recent issue of Consumer Reports for the U.S. gave it poor grades for food, and I agree. And just what's objectionable with the very clear pictograms for Walk/Don't Walk signals, which even young children can understand?
>
> Hold, please. Where did he say the pictograms for Walk/Don't Walk are objectionable? All I saw was that he said seeing ours with the words was a treat. I have seen the pictograph(is that the right word?) version in St. Augustine, FL(no, not St. George St.; that's pedestrian-only, or it was the last time I was there). I haven't seen any other places that have them, but I assume that there are others. I have no preference, myself.
> Oh, and I can't comment on the quality of Denny's food; I don't remember if I've ever been in one. :)
>
> Nyperold

It's been quite awhile since I've seen the actual "Walk/Don't Walk" words on crosswalk signals. All of ours have the white stick figure when it's okay to walk, a flashing orange hand when you should be almost to the other sidewalk, and a solid orange hand when you can't walk. However, I saw something new the other day that I thought was a very good idea. As you're walking across the street, the hand starts flashing and then numbers light up and count down from 20. That way you know exactly how much time you have left to cross the street.

Oh, and most of our signals also make a chirping noise for the blind, too.

Ell"Seen too much Denny's food...one waitress once made me the best strawberry shake I have ever had."myruh