Tuesday, June 20, 2006
nyc: most polite city*
*according to reader's digest
reader's digest did a study where they determined out of all the world cities, nyc is the most polite (can you believe it?).
they performed three types of tests: "door tests" (would anyone hold one open for them?); "document drops" (who would help them retrieve a pile of "accidentally" dropped papers?); and "service tests" (which salesclerks would thank them for a purchase?).
i propose another type of test: "subway tests."
in all these cities, almost all of them have subway systems. why not perform a test to see what the frequency is that a person would give up his/her seat to allow a pregnant woman or a disabled or elderly person to sit. it's interesting to note the type of people who would give up their seat.
i was reading in lonely planet that when you're in prague, you're not supposed to give up your seat on the subway. maybe it's just not a customary practice in czech culture to do so? i think it's messed up.
i remember when moving from boston to nyc i was shocked to how impolite and discourteous people were. barely anyone held the doors open, people never said excuse me, and i rarely saw people give up their seats. however, whenever i do see this happen, i tend to be surprised and it actually brightens my day. there actually are nice people in this world!
reader's digest did a study where they determined out of all the world cities, nyc is the most polite (can you believe it?).
they performed three types of tests: "door tests" (would anyone hold one open for them?); "document drops" (who would help them retrieve a pile of "accidentally" dropped papers?); and "service tests" (which salesclerks would thank them for a purchase?).
i propose another type of test: "subway tests."
in all these cities, almost all of them have subway systems. why not perform a test to see what the frequency is that a person would give up his/her seat to allow a pregnant woman or a disabled or elderly person to sit. it's interesting to note the type of people who would give up their seat.
i was reading in lonely planet that when you're in prague, you're not supposed to give up your seat on the subway. maybe it's just not a customary practice in czech culture to do so? i think it's messed up.
i remember when moving from boston to nyc i was shocked to how impolite and discourteous people were. barely anyone held the doors open, people never said excuse me, and i rarely saw people give up their seats. however, whenever i do see this happen, i tend to be surprised and it actually brightens my day. there actually are nice people in this world!
