Do People Really Hate Each Other in NYC?

David and I just spent the last week in New York City and St. Petersburg Beach, FL. Mostly work, some play. This is more of a life post than a birth post. I'm becoming philosophical in my old age, apparently.

Excited for an adventure in the Big Apple!

It's fun going to NYC but this Texas girl found it really hard not to make eye contact with or talk to the people around her. I don't know that I saw more than 3 people wearing a color other than black, gray, or brown. On the streets, no one makes eye contact. You are walking down the street, passing all these people, and looking straight ahead. On the subway, you are jam-packed with people all around you, but no one is looking at or talking to one another. It's like no one wants to stand out.

Pastrami on Rye at Carnegie's Deli

 A gazillion people living on top of each other, but all living separately.

I met one of my blog readers for a smoothie one night - hi Michele! - about wanting to become a Birth Boot Camp Instructor. She's been there 5 years and gave me the low-down. No eye contact and always look like you know where you are going, even if it means circling the block. I screwed both of those up!

Oops! I made eye contact!

So, I've pondered this situation. No one seemed that happy. Michele, from AZ, admitted to hating living there. I have to say, it just seems like it would be a much better place if people talked to one another! When we started conversations with people or asked directions, nearly all of them seemed more than happy to help or talk to us. I think they want to talk to one another, but they've been conditioned not to do so.

After a couple of days, we were ready to head out to sunny Florida! Birth Boot Camp had a booth at the American Association of Birth Centers conference.  We landed just as a huge storm lifted from Tampa Bay. It was gorgeous! Bright colors, tan skin, happy people! Even the "subway" at the airport was loud and talkative! Whew!

The view from our room at the AABC Conference

Ironically, we met so many people from NY and NJ while were were there. They all admitted that they never wanted to go back north. I don't think it was just the weather either. They were all in the service industry and seemed to enjoy talking to new people. That behavior seemed pretty unacceptable in the Big Apple.

Hanging over David's small NM hometown is a sign that says "Welcome to Portales! Home to 12,000 friendly people and 3 or 4 old grouches." That about sums it up. I think the people of NYC want to be friendly, but it's expected that no one should talk to one another, so they don't. Sad.

We are on a plane back to Ft. Worth, where I feel comfortable talking to just about anyone. It was fun to get away, but I'm happy to be headed back to the friendly state of Texas, y'all!