My first memory of New York City, just as I crossed the George Washington Bridge and headed to West Street, was driving by a car that was literally on fire. There were yellow and orange flames leading to a flow of black smoke into the sky. The first thing I thought was "Oh my gosh, that car is on fire." Immediately after, however, I realized that even with a car on fire, no one paid attention. The cars around were not stopping or slowing down; they were just driving right past.
What amazed me the most about the city is the fact that most people just mind their own business and do not really pay attention or react to anything that is going around them. Everyone is in his own private world, just as E.B. White wrote in his article, "Here is New York." When I first arrived in New York, this turned me off from the city, making me feel like I just did not belong. People never made eye contact with each other or tried to make small talk on the subway. Since I am not from a large city, I got the impression that most New Yorkers were just not very nice.
After spending my first week in New York and reading White's article, my impression of New Yorkers has begun to change. It seems like there are so many options people have to choose from that instead of actually making a decision, they choose to ignore everything that is going on around them. It is just easier. I have even found myself doing the same thing since I have gotten here. On the flip side, I have also seen people who exemplify politeness. For example, I have seen men stand up on the subway so a woman could sit down, and sometimes words are not even exchanged. My first week in New York has reminded me that first impressions are not always true.
