I am NYC born and bred. I love my city and as I have had the opportunity to travel many parts of the world, I can unequivocally say there is no place like home. Like any New Yorker will tell you being one of a kind is good and bad. Our ethnic diversity is like nowhere else though race and cultural relations are far from perfect.
Who am I kidding, most of the times the various races and ethnicities are segregated, particularly outside of Manhattan, and when forced to interact, it resembles participation in the Hunger Games. I joke again, but New York does have complicated and uneasy relationships amongst its residents. Every race, religion nationality and ethnicity is represented within the city. This hasn’t necessarily resulted in a cohesive melting pot, but the diversity has assured that a great selection of food is offered at every turn.
Whenever I speak with people who have visited the city they always remark on its size, the amount of people and the fast pace. They usually mention that they were initially fearful of the city and its people, but generally acknowledge that New Yorkers are much friendly than initially suspected.
New Yorkers are not generally walking around the city, heads up, with smiles on their faces, greeting strangers warmly. People walk with a hurried purpose generally with heads down trying to avoid the obstacle course of potential pitfalls that populate the city’s sidewalks and streets. However, given the opportunity or occasion, most New Yorkers are incredibly helpful and friendly. Ask a New Yorker for direction or suggestions and you would have thought that Siri came to life.
Driving in New York is a totally different story in which you will experience the absolute worst in New Yorkers. It is probably not a coincidence that the influx of Connecticut, New Jersey and other out of towners contribute to the problem, but I have to use every meditation tip I know to calm down when driving around town. My potential for road rage simmers to a near boil at the inefficiency of needing 2 hours to travel 10 to 15 miles. The fact that this narrative is as likely to take place at 3am as it is at 5pm on a Friday only adds to the frustration. And don’t get me started about parking in the city…or the high cost of living…
When the weather is glorious as it was on September 17, 2016, New Yorkers tend to forget all of the city’s issues and just enjoy it. I spent much of the day in Washington Square Park, meeting a friend who now lives out of town. I do not make it to the park too often, but as a professional people watcher, it rarely disappoints. The weather was perfect, sunny, warm, with a nice breeze. An interesting group of acrobatic street performers led by twins, Tic & Toc, provided the backdrop.
The sun was set as I trekked uptown to have dinner with my mother. I didn’t hear the news right away, but started to receive texts from friends out of town asking if I was ok. The initial news of an explosion was not comprehensive, but we all came to realize it was an act of terrorism. Ironically, I had a 7am flight the next morning and knew that security was going to be extra at the airport. It was, but even with the news still not all in, it was the topic of conversation of those in the long lines.
Midtown was even more difficult to get around via car the next week, added by all the dignitaries and security in town for the UN General Assembly. Yet with everything going on, all that came to mind was the resolve of those in the city. When tragedy strikes New Yorkers come together. All of the divisiveness that normally exists is replaced by a sense of oneness. New Yorkers form a collective, like the dysfunctional family that fights all the time, but refuses to let an outsider hurt or disparage one of its own.
It’s a beautiful thing when it happens, but ironic that tragedy has to spur togetherness. You really do have to love New Yorkers. The fighting spirit is in their DNA. That falls in the good and bad scenario. Now if New Yorkers could just come together on a regular basis, minus any tragedy. A united New York is as glorious as an 80 degree, sunny day. Here’s wishing that the city can maintain that spirit and togetherness no matter the time of year or circumstances.
#togetherness #newyork #newyorkstateofmind #newyorkbombings #diversity
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