“Learning to Cross Like a Local”: Russian Woman’s Jaipur Road Hack Wins the Internet
“Learning to Cross Like a Local”: Russian Woman's Jaipur Road Hack Wins the Internet
“The first rule you need to learn in India is how to cross the road.” — This quirky but relatable caption by Vera Prokofeva, a Russian woman now living in Jaipur, perfectly sums up the essence of a viral video that’s making waves on social media.
Crossing the road may seem like a mundane task, but in India, it can feel like a real-life game of strategy, nerves, and timing. Vera’s now-viral clip captures this reality in a light-hearted way, showing how she teaches her friend the ‘desi’ trick to navigate through India’s famously chaotic streets — and the internet can’t get enough.
In the video, Vera is seen standing with her friend in front of Jaipur’s iconic Hawa Mahal, saying, “I’ll teach you how to cross the road.” She confidently walks into traffic, gesturing with her hands to signal vehicles to stop. “You need to show them you are stopping them, and then walk to the other side,” she explains, making her way to safety before turning around and repeating the technique with a triumphant, “Mission complete successfully!”
The clip has already racked up over 226,000 views on Instagram and continues to spark both admiration and caution. Many viewers praised Vera’s confident approach, saying she handled Jaipur traffic “like a pro.” One amused user wrote, “You just hacked Jaipur traffic like a pro!” while another from the city chimed in with, “I am from Jaipur too, I can totally relate – it works.”
The video has also become a wholesome example of cultural exchange and travel adventures. Social media users were quick to celebrate Vera’s enthusiasm for blending in with local ways, even if they had a few warnings of their own.
Some couldn’t help but offer tongue-in-cheek advice:
“Open a school please for training on how to cross roads in India,” joked one user.
Another added, “Hahahaha you learnt it right. Also don’t forget to yell if the vehicle doesn’t stop.”
But not everyone was on board with her bold moves. Several users cautioned her about safety, warning that not all drivers will stop. One commented, “Be careful, not every time do drivers stop their cars.”
Another user gave a bit more detailed advice:
“Don’t go in traffic and stop when it is heavy. Wait and go when it’s light and gently move with steady pace so the driver can judge. This is bad.”
They followed up with a final caution:
“Don’t disrupt the traffic flow when the light is green and everyone is coming in.”
Despite the divided opinions, Vera’s spirited road-crossing tutorial has certainly opened up conversations — not just about traffic rules, but also about how travelers adapt, learn, and sometimes even teach others while embracing new cultures.
