Talk to the hand

Dhaka is a city with virtually no street lights, stop signs or side walks, pretty much nothing to separate or guide cars/rickshaws/CNGs and pedestrians. Being cautiously aggressive is crucial.

In order to cross the busy streets here, you have to put yourself out there, literally. You have to look right, look left and when the traffic is a bit lighter than usual, start walking… quickly, even if there’s traffic approaching. To save yourself from being hit, just put out your hand, as if you’re asking them to stop, so they slow down or at the very least, dodge you as they continue driving. Sticking out your hand with such conviction is the only “traffic signal” used here. And, as hard as it is to believe, it actually works!

The other tactic you can use  while crossing a crazy intersection is to “piggy-back” and follow someone else as they are doing the same, preferably a Bangladeshi. Just ensure you’re on the opposite side of the oncoming traffic, so they serve as a buffer between you and the vehicle. Regardless, one thing is for sure, throwing yourself into such a vulnerable situation provides an intense and relatively exciting rush of adrenaline. Not to mention, putting a positive spin on certain situations helps you experience a foreign place.