How to Tell if Someone is a Local? Just Watch Them Drive

It's sometimes interesting the things you notice when you go for a walk instead of taking the car.

I've been trying to get back in the habit of walking more lately, and fortunately have two daughters who are generally willing to tag along, especially if it involves a fun stop along the way. For example, a chance to play with Cleo the cat and Pearl the dog at on Broad Street or a visit to Walgreen's (which just happens to be conveniently located along the route from our house to the village). The steep price of today's bubblegum might explain why I no longer have spare change in any of my pockets?

Anyway, if you've read this column before, you might remember me saying that...(gasp!)... I am not originally from Greendale. However, I think it's fair to say after a dozen years and the influence of my husband and his family (who are original "Bubble-ites") I no longer stick out as someone obviously not from here. 

What does that have to do with taking a walk? Well, to get back to the original subject, it was one of those little walks that made me think: what's one of the main ways you can tell if someone is from Greendale or not? And I don't mean the blank stares you get when you ask them 'what section they live in?'

The true test is whether or not you know what to do when you get to the intersection of Broad Street and Southway. You know, that neat little intersection by our beloved Gavinski Stadium?

I witnessed this little driver's test again the other day while on our walk... those folks heading south on Broad street who come to a complete stop when they get to Southway, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NO STOP SIGN in that direction! There they sit, looking thoroughly confused, not sure if they should stay or go.

If that is you, you are definitely not from Greendale. 

I used to find it irritating, especially if I was driving behind them. All that stopping... while the cars heading east and west on Southway just sit there, politely waiting for them to figure out they have the right of way. Now I just shake my head, motion them on or give a friendly toot... after all, maybe the rest of us transplants did the same thing at one time before we figured it out?

So thank you for your patience, Greendale, to those still learning the things that make driving in the village unique. At least my kids - when they are ready to trade in our walks for a driver's license - will think nothing of it.

Now that I think of it, perhaps beginning drivers are the reason that intersection was designed in that way: it requires a stop shortly after leaving the parking lot before zooming off down Southway toward Loomis Road.

Of course, don't get me started on THAT intersection - the one that was just redone, yet was constructed with a left-turn-only lane coming west but not east! Huh? Really? I guess I will keep taking my walks as long as possible and perhaps someday I'll figure out what's special about that intersection too.

Maybe it's just another one of those ways to tell who is from Greendale and who is just visiting?