MyMemeCards editorial team
In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “I cross the street” is an epic card of the French Politics pack, number 67 of the collection, and the 3rd best-known meme of its 127 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “I cross the street” meme mean?
The meme represents political condescension and tone-deaf advice given to struggling job seekers. By claiming that employment is waiting directly across the pavement, the quote trivializes systemic economic hurdles. Online commentators rely on it sarcastically whenever an authority figure presents an absurdly simplistic fix for an intricate struggle.
Where does the “I cross the street” meme come from?
The catchphrase originated during the European Heritage Days on September 15, 2018, in the gardens of the Élysée Palace. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Jonathan Jahan, an unemployed horticulturist who explained his inability to secure work despite sending numerous applications. Advising him to look into hotels, cafes, restaurants, or construction, Macron uttered: “Je traverse la rue, je vous en trouve” (“I cross the street, I find you one”). Broadcasted by BFM TV and circulated widely on Twitter on September 16, the interaction sparked widespread backlash, giving rise to the #TraverserLaRue hashtag and a stream of satirical web edits.
- September 15, 2018Macron addresses the phrase to Jonathan Jahan at the Élysée Palace.
- September 16, 2018The exchange is broadcast by BFM TV and goes viral on Twitter under #TraverserLaRue.
How to use the “I cross the street” meme
- Mocking unsolicited and unrealistic career advice from people who are financially secure.
- Replying ironically to politicians who dismiss the reality of modern unemployment.
- Commenting on a situation where someone pretends an impossible problem has an obvious fix.
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The “I cross the street” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 067 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | French Politics pack |
| Fame | 95/100 · #3 of 127 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
How to get the “I cross the street” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; I cross the street comes out of the French Politics pack as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art 0.8%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “I cross the street”
More cards of the French Politics pack
Frequently asked questions
Who did Emmanuel Macron say “I cross the street” to?
He said it to Jonathan Jahan, an unemployed horticulturist visiting the presidential palace in September 2018.
What does the “I cross the street” meme mean?
It mocks out-of-touch, condescending advice that falsely portrays finding a job as an instantaneous, effortless task.
Where was the original video filmed?
The interaction was filmed on September 15, 2018, in the Élysée Palace gardens during European Heritage Days.
How do I get the I cross the street meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “I cross the street” is an epic card of the French Politics pack. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the I cross the street card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Quand Macron fait la morale à un jeune chômeur · Macron au risque de l'arrogance · Macron à un jeune chômeur : «Je traverse la rue, je vous trouve» du travail · checked on October 8, 2026.
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Want I cross the street in your collection?
Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.