The Angel's Perch

Both heels on the edge of the curb. Toes hovering over the street.

I call it The Angel's Perch, both because it seems to be a move limited to the City of Angels, and because it seems like a good way to BECOME an angel.

It usually starts with a pedestrian walking full speed to a curb and then abruptly stopping, just as motorists are preparing for said pedestrian to jump the curb and run into traffic.

What do you gain from this? You make drivers jumpy, since they can't be sure you're not going to walk in front of their cars, and the pedestrians usually don't even gain an advantage when the light turns, since so few actually pay enough attention from this position to know when it's their turn to go.

It just seems like an ingrained, regional action. A subset of the LA mentality of fighting for every available inch - every available resource - whether it's actually beneficial to you or not, simply so the next Guy can't get it, even if he desperately needs it.