I’ve almost lived in Brooklyn for a year now and I’ve found some differences living here than what I’m used to as a lifelong Bay Stater. More observations to to come…
First of all, New York sleeps (at least as much as any other city). The subway becomes unbearable at midnight, especially when taking more than one train with the schedule becoming once every half-hour. During the day, the city is hectically busy but there’s definitely a resting period most days. That isn’t so strange, again since every city is like this. What’s strange is that despite New York’s reputation as a busy city, people don’t walk on escalators.
People don’t walk on escalators? New York is known for people speed walking to the point of running. It’s known for bumping into people and acting like it’s the bumped’s fault. It’s known for rushing around everywhere even if it’s to get in line at a Starbucks. It’s known for beeping car horns as soon as a light turns green. When it comes to escalators? Everyone just gets on it for a ride, a metal lazy river. I’ve seen this all over the place, in stores and subway platforms, and I don’t get it. People are rushing around everywhere but an automated staircase seems like the one place people take breathers. It doesn’t matter if they are wearing sweatpants or a suit. The escalator is place for people to rest.
This isn’t to say that I always walk up escalators or that everyone outside of New York walks up escalators but no one walks up escalators in New York. No one! I guess it’s a trick to spot tourists.
photo credit: Halloweekend 2009 via photopin (license)
