This is how normal people use lights in the rest of the world.
If it is green walk. If it is red - look around and if it is reasonably safe walk.
Jaywalking is not a rule or anything like it. The UK highway Code has recently been changed so that pedestrians have right od way over cars turning into a side street (although not if controlled by traffic lights)
You're generalizing too much and making exact same mistake you're complaining about. Also jaywalking and going on the red light are not the same.
Here in Poland:
* you would get a ticket if police sees you crossing a pedestrian crossing on red light * you would also get one if there is pedestrian crossing near you(100m) and you don't use it while crossing * no crossing nearby ? You can pass unless it is something like a highway. You don't get priority in this case.
I am Belgian. In the smaller Belgian cities that I frequent, pedestrians seem to wait for traffic lights.
Admittedly that is not the case in Brussels. Maybe it is a big city thing.