That was some really insightful travel writing. I usually just skim most weekend getaway posts, but I read all of that.
Intriguing points you make about the differences to be found in Northeastern versus Californian mindsets. For a long time, when interacting with Californians I've noted a striking absence of urgency in the day to day way they think and respond. Urgency being something very near and dear to we Northeasterners, I doubt I could live comfortably in a society that didn't make use of it.
My most front-seat view of this difference is when dealing with my Californian travel partner, J. He doesn't get the whole concept of Now Means Now. To my mind, "time to go to dinner" means get your shoes on and be waiting downstairs in 5 minutes. To J, it means light a cigarette, fiddle with the TV for a while, find something on YouTube that he absolutely must show me, check voicemail, decide he wants a quick shower, and then finally shuffle out the door for dinner. Certainly part of that is simple personality differences, but sense that the lion's share of it is cultural.
Well anyway, glad you two got back safe and sound. Come to dim sum, and don't be late! ;-)
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Intriguing points you make about the differences to be found in Northeastern versus Californian mindsets. For a long time, when interacting with Californians I've noted a striking absence of urgency in the day to day way they think and respond. Urgency being something very near and dear to we Northeasterners, I doubt I could live comfortably in a society that didn't make use of it.
My most front-seat view of this difference is when dealing with my Californian travel partner, J. He doesn't get the whole concept of Now Means Now. To my mind, "time to go to dinner" means get your shoes on and be waiting downstairs in 5 minutes. To J, it means light a cigarette, fiddle with the TV for a while, find something on YouTube that he absolutely must show me, check voicemail, decide he wants a quick shower, and then finally shuffle out the door for dinner. Certainly part of that is simple personality differences, but sense that the lion's share of it is cultural.
Well anyway, glad you two got back safe and sound. Come to dim sum, and don't be late! ;-)