Walk
Just right after breakfast this morning, I took a walk in the vicinity of the hotel. Weather was kind. It's a pleasant 15'C. I found this lake just down the block and sat at a bench there watching the duck swimming, with the nano keeping me company. There were people walking their dogs and a couple cycling and one nice lady jogging. It just reminds me how important weather really is. You don't see people doing these in KL.. well, at least not in a relaxing way. When I walk Harry, I just want to get it done fast, because it was so humid and I was sweating. Here, in Dallas, during winter, you just want to relax with the wind in your face, enjoying the serenity, knowing you are safe.
The other day I had a discussion with an Indian colleague. I told her that people in Dallas are nice. They greet you, they smile, they say hello, how you doing? When they drive, they stopped and let the pedestrian cross the street. They open door for you even in a public mall. I asked if it's the same in other cities. She said no.. cities like LA and NYC and even San Fran were not like that. People are rude over there and they are always in a hurry. This is not strange to me, as I grow up in Asia and everybody is rushing. But Dallas is also one of the biggest cities in USA and yet, she's does not succumb to the pitfalls of typical metropolitan. I believe and this is my opinion, that it is because Dallas is in Texas and Texas has huge lands. So, they have a lot of space. Malls, shops, restaurants, residence and industrial areas are all evenly located and not cramped into specific area. You don't see a huge crowd in one mall. Abundance of parking spaces. Less traffic, relatively.
When there are far fewer people scattered across a huge piece of land, humans tend to treat other human beings nicer. Compare Hong Kong and KL. Same concept. More ugly people in HK compared to KL.
Another observation I made about America is that while you know you are in America, you don't feel like a foreigner in America. For example, people understand when I speak to them. I don't find myself having to repeat what I said. They are used to foreign accent. In comparison, when I was in Melbourne, I find myself having a harder time understanding Aussie accent and them, understanding Malaysian accent. In addition, you can feel that the acceptance of a foriegner here is far better than anywhere else.
So, I guess you are right, mystic_grey :)
The other day I had a discussion with an Indian colleague. I told her that people in Dallas are nice. They greet you, they smile, they say hello, how you doing? When they drive, they stopped and let the pedestrian cross the street. They open door for you even in a public mall. I asked if it's the same in other cities. She said no.. cities like LA and NYC and even San Fran were not like that. People are rude over there and they are always in a hurry. This is not strange to me, as I grow up in Asia and everybody is rushing. But Dallas is also one of the biggest cities in USA and yet, she's does not succumb to the pitfalls of typical metropolitan. I believe and this is my opinion, that it is because Dallas is in Texas and Texas has huge lands. So, they have a lot of space. Malls, shops, restaurants, residence and industrial areas are all evenly located and not cramped into specific area. You don't see a huge crowd in one mall. Abundance of parking spaces. Less traffic, relatively.
When there are far fewer people scattered across a huge piece of land, humans tend to treat other human beings nicer. Compare Hong Kong and KL. Same concept. More ugly people in HK compared to KL.
Another observation I made about America is that while you know you are in America, you don't feel like a foreigner in America. For example, people understand when I speak to them. I don't find myself having to repeat what I said. They are used to foreign accent. In comparison, when I was in Melbourne, I find myself having a harder time understanding Aussie accent and them, understanding Malaysian accent. In addition, you can feel that the acceptance of a foriegner here is far better than anywhere else.
So, I guess you are right, mystic_grey :)
Good observation, i agree ...
ReplyDeletewhile i was in Tokyo subway, people rushing like mad dogs, orang tua also tak kisah and langgar - no choice kind of thing - too high density.