Intercultural communications and signage

Parisians and New Yorkers wouldn't necessarily find this signpost problematic: when you need to cross the street, you do so (of course watching for oncoming traffic). Moreover, the pavement was clearly marked with an appropriate street crossing zone for pedestrians.

Of what nationality was the one member of our happy little troop to notice the signage and be be puzzled by seeing pedestrians striding forth with little hesitation?

Faces have been blurred to protect individual privacy.