NY formulated the question :
- Drivers in small towns are unbelievably benevolent to pedestrians: on
several occasions I was walking along a pavement (sorry, sidewalk) and turned
my head to look at a building on the other side of the road as I carried on
walking along the road - immediately cars would stop (not at a pedestrian
crossing) thinking I wanted to cross

I find that often happens here, in the town where I live too.