[BigFnTelly]

The first time I stood in line for a hoagie, I was intimidated by the 15 options on the menu. Five minutes in line couldn't help me, and the counter person said "well stand aside and let the guy behind you order then".

I can empathize that someone from a place where everyone is politely addressed as "Sir" or "Ma'am" might find interactions jarring if they don't begin with a "hello, how are you doing today?"

she placed my accent correctly, asking if I was taking the train to New York "like all the other young kids with backpacks". I bellyached about the humidity in July and she let out a deep laugh. she wrapped the sandwich in halves since it would be easier to carry when I already had so much.

I still think about that interaction. I think that the Northeast has a charm to it developed by centuries of their communities existing in such tight quarters (albeit ones with a history of bitter sentiments and actions against Black people like Boston, South Philly, etc.). I wish strangers talked to each other more, because maybe that takes the edge off of directness.

[krackers]

You've got literary flair, I thought for a second your paragraph was an excerpt from a novel.