In response to my last post a friend emailed (he seems to like to do this more than posting in the comments) the following astute observation: "This is what people do in most other places, and this is why I’m afraid that NYC might be a shitty place to meet people. Here, we only meet people when we plan to meet them. We’re getting screwed by a lack of serendipity since we all block out everyone from our personal space." I agree only in part. I agree that as New Yorkers, we don’t tend to meet strangers on the subway, at the grocery store, or while walking down the street. Note that I said "tend to." I know of a woman who is dating a guy she met while discussing bed linens at a store, for example. New Yorkers do, however, meet people when we are doing things like dining solo — I have a few very close friends who I literally met hanging out at Otto. Now, of course, this could be because I am fairly friendly by nature — who knows? If I were sitting eating alone with my nose in a book rather than half listening to everything around me, or chatting with the bartenders, I might not have met them.
I’m trying to think of other places I’ve met people, other than the typical dinner party or deliberately social event — certainly through AIDS ride training rides, but not at the greenmarket (at least not yet). Maybe I’ll be the one who starts talking to strangers on the subway — do a little social experiment for the next week or so. I’ll let you know how it goes.
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I am that friend! Sorry I didn’t tell you here. I wouldn’t have used the S-word…
I am that friend! Sorry I didn’t tell you here. I wouldn’t have used the S-word…
Screwed or serendipity?
Screwed or serendipity?
when I talk to people on the subway they think I’m a crazy Litle Old Lady – but they generally will converse if only to humor me!
when I talk to people on the subway they think I’m a crazy Litle Old Lady – but they generally will converse if only to humor me!
Compared to other places I’ve lived, New York has serendipity in spades. How often do people meet each other while driving in separate cars in Los Angeles? At least in NY people actually walk on the streets.
Compared to other places I’ve lived, New York has serendipity in spades. How often do people meet each other while driving in separate cars in Los Angeles? At least in NY people actually walk on the streets.