The People in my Neighborhood

I think I moved to Chicago at just about the worst time of year.  I want to get out and explore the city and just walk around and take pictures of everything, but it's freezing!  When I walk outside, my immediate goal is to get inside.  This is obviously everyone else's goal as well.  Yes, people here do walk fast, but there are also people who are a little more leisurely in their pace.  If someone wants to get around you, they will.  I haven't discovered too much rudeness about the city yet (besides the incident listed below).  I also haven't discovered any extreme friendliness.  People here are independent.  They're very much in their own world and don't seem to pay much attention to others.  This, I have found, is more apparent on the streets of Chicago and on public transportation than in buildings.  People seem a bit more caring/friendly when you're inside.  Perhaps this goes along with the winter/freezing thing.


The one account of actual rudeness towards me occurred last week when I was waiting in line to board the Megabus.  The line of people waiting for the bus stretched out across the sidewalk and there wasn't much room for fellow pedestrians to get through.  There were maybe 6 inches between me and the person in front of me, and a man walked up to me and literally put his hand on my upper chest and pushed me out of the way so he could get by.  He didn't say anything.  But really?  Who does that?


I think if we all practiced good "customer service" outside of retail stores and restaurants where it's required by the job or to get a tip, we'd all be a lot happier.