Lot's of People

I've heard on a number of occasions when people who come to visit us in San Diego are somewhat unnerved by the volume of cars on the freeway. This is especially true of visitors from more remote parts of the country.  I'm always a little puzzled by this reaction, because it just seems normal.  Now I understand where this feeling comes from.  When we first arrived in Manhattan I had the same reaction as my more rural friend by the amount of people who are able to peacefully coexist on this island. Just walking down many of the streets the intersecting vectors of humans can seem like a daunting task to avoid collisions.  This is especially true now that probably 1/3 of everyone is constantly walking and staring down at their phones seemingly oblivious to the human freeway all around them. I'm sure for them, it just seems normal.  Having been now fully indoctrinated in the subway and all it's protocols is really a place where the crush of humanity is on display.  Quite a number of times we had to take a subway car that was, upon it's arrival full to overflowing with it's human cargo.  Like one of those tubs of crescent rolls that when you hit it on the counter it erupts with this oozing dough like substance.  As soon as the doors of the subway car open it's human content spills out.  Even though after disgorging it's contents it's still full to the doors, we would force our way on, everyone doing their best not to touch anyone or look anyone in the eye.   It's like a big pack of dogs that know that any eye contact could start a fight.  But that's part of the subway etiquette.  No eye contact.  Works pretty well. 
In general all the natives play it pretty straight faces most of the time, but they have been very friendly and helpful when needed.  Many times we had to stop and ask for directions and without exception the natives have been helpful, pleasant and generous with their time.  A couple of times people even without us asking them have offered assistance.  I guess that "I'm completely lost" look on my face must have been pretty obvious.  New Yorkers have been really great.  It’s nice to visit a Blue State.