In 1984, a German correspondent living in Paris offered a piece of unconventional advice for anyone attempting to cross the vast and hectic Place de la Concorde. The square was famous for its swirling traffic, constant noise, and the apparent indifference of its drivers, which made even short crossings feel like daring acts.

The correspondent explained that the safest approach was to walk forward at a steady and confident pace while refusing to meet the drivers gaze. According to this advice, the moment a pedestrian looked directly at a driver, the driver would assume that the pedestrian had acknowledged the oncoming vehicle and would therefore continue without slowing.

By keeping ones eyes fixed ahead and moving with calm determination, the pedestrian signaled uncertainty to the drivers, which in turn encouraged them to yield.