Mind the Gap!

Just like its ancient "tube" (subway), London can give you all sorts of cultural shocks when you are here for the first time.

I've never been to a place where people are too shy to look at each other into the eyes in the bus or train. Not even sparing a smile. New York is like that, too, but when your eyes accidently meet somebody else's, at least you would exchange with a smile and not look away.

But, when you are away from the city, you will be surprised that people are actually friendly in towns like Bath and Rochester! The difference is so dramatic, you can hardly believe it's the same country.

Hopefully after the one-year study, my ethnographic skills will be sharpened. That's one great thing about living in a big city like London. You will never get too close to anybody to lose your objectivity.

"Mind the gap, lads!" As long as you are aware of the existence of the gap, I guess you will do just fine here.

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http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/bookgeek1969