I took the local this morning instead of the express. The difference, in addition to time of course, is striking. The express trains are absolutely silent, with the exception of the clicking of BlackBerries & crunching pages of The Wall Street Journal. The use of cell phones is absolutely unacceptable, as is talking at any decibel above a quiet whisper. Trying to start up a conversation with a stranger is unquestionably not okay (especially if they are using one of the aforementioned methods of entertainment/work). The uniform (for the mostly-men) is standard- grey slacks & some variation of a blue shirt, & then designer jeans & Lacoste polos on Fridays, with some sort of Connecticut flare added for good measure (e.g. Sperry Top-Siders, a Vineyard Vines belt, or maybe even Nantucket Red pants for those who are a bit more aggressive). The train virtually empties in Greenwich, & then again in Stamford. .
The local trains are completely different- full of people who stand in groups, speaking Spanish loudly, & muy rapido. I tried taking a nap this morning & it just didn't work.
3 comments:
When I'm way older and way grayer, I hope to still be reading posts on your blog. Right now, on the other side of the country from where you are likely playing in Central Park or shopping on a crowded,bustling, and interesting street, I'm sitting all alone in the Fire Station at Priest Lake. The sky is dappled gray, and I can see absolutely nothing but trees, the beautiful water and the mountains in the distance. The only sound is a air quietly blowing through the heating system. We live in different worlds, but I love feeling so much closer because you make the effort to keep in touch. Thank you!
I love how so many places are accessed by trains that begin in Harlem. I think it would be fun to watch the world zoom by. Next time I come to visit you will have to take me somewhere outside the city!
We have exactly the same dress and etiquette standards in Spokane. When driving your pickup truck it is taboo to swig beer from more than one bottle ata time, lean out the window and give a Rebel Yell, or have someone in the bed of the truck wrenching on a dirt bike.
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