The Man That Never Sleeps Goes to the City That Doesn’t Either
I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus. My darling wife took me on a three night trip to New York City. This was my first trip to “The Big Apple,” and we went to enjoy a Broadway show (“Spring Awakening”) and the Flyers vs. Rangers hockey game at Madison Square Garden. The Flyers were a bit disappointing, but the show was outstanding! I’m writing this under a bit of a time crunch, so it will be brief for now. I’ll be sure to include more scintillating details at a later date.
I could fill volumes with the negative aspects of NYC. This would be rather easy, and not very sporting. I will fill you in on two very positive experiences I had there.
First, the food I ate was not only outstanding, it was the fastest service (on average) I have ever received. To illustrate my point, my service at a famous fast food restaurant was slowest I had during my time there. Even more impressive was the diversity of choices. I saw an Indian, Vietnamese, Brazilian, Continental, Greek, and Mexican restaurant all operating right next to one another. Talk about multi-cultural!
Secondly, before going on the trip, I had heard tons of stories about how impersonal and selfish the citizens of NYC can be (even though we witnessed otherwise on 9/11). On my way to Penn Station today, I saw something that blew these thoughts out of the water. I witnessed interaction between two men of extremely different backgrounds, spoken languages, races, cultures, and physical abilities interact in an unexpected way. I watched one man hustle out of his way to make sure the other gentleman, who was wheelchair bound, was able to make it across the street and over the curb before the merciless NYC traffic could resume. There were no extrinsic motivators involved, or even a call for help. It was just a random act of thoughtfulness and citizenship by one stranger to another.
Regardless of the challenges we face in this country, it is acts like these that should make you damn proud to be an American.
I could fill volumes with the negative aspects of NYC. This would be rather easy, and not very sporting. I will fill you in on two very positive experiences I had there.
First, the food I ate was not only outstanding, it was the fastest service (on average) I have ever received. To illustrate my point, my service at a famous fast food restaurant was slowest I had during my time there. Even more impressive was the diversity of choices. I saw an Indian, Vietnamese, Brazilian, Continental, Greek, and Mexican restaurant all operating right next to one another. Talk about multi-cultural!
Secondly, before going on the trip, I had heard tons of stories about how impersonal and selfish the citizens of NYC can be (even though we witnessed otherwise on 9/11). On my way to Penn Station today, I saw something that blew these thoughts out of the water. I witnessed interaction between two men of extremely different backgrounds, spoken languages, races, cultures, and physical abilities interact in an unexpected way. I watched one man hustle out of his way to make sure the other gentleman, who was wheelchair bound, was able to make it across the street and over the curb before the merciless NYC traffic could resume. There were no extrinsic motivators involved, or even a call for help. It was just a random act of thoughtfulness and citizenship by one stranger to another.
Regardless of the challenges we face in this country, it is acts like these that should make you damn proud to be an American.
posted by TGB at
6:16 PM
2 Comments:
Community. Friendliness. Proud to be an American. Take a walk back in time with me to the weeks following 9/11. Remember the pride you felt as you sported your yellow ribbon. Do you know what I remember most? I remember people looking me in the eye, smiling and saying, “Hello!” as they passed. What happened? Do me a favor and say, “Good day!” to someone tomorrow. You’ll be surprised at how good you’ll feel.
Please remember our veterans all year, not just in November. When you pack a surprise box for a soldier overseas this Christmas, pack a second one and drop it off at a VA Hospital close to you. A new deck of cards, a box of cookies, even a package of gum all let them know that someone out there is thinking of them. Don’t forget to send another surprise package or two during the year. As a matter of fact, get a few friends together and pack 10 or 20 surprise boxes. And when you see a vet, don’t forget to say thank you.
bee - great comment.
I too love NY. I go a few times a year.
Especially try to make "Fleet Week" at Pier 90 in Manhattan (and last year part of it was on Staten Island).
Like you, I am very impressed and happy to report how nice and friendly the New Yorkers are.
I highly recommend visiting the Big Apple. Anytime is good, but Fleet Week is always around Memorial Day in May.
Take care.
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