Singing in the Rain

It started raining as I went into the grocery store. About a minute later the Jewel store starting playing "I'm singing in the rain" when no music had been playing before. Jokingly I asked the produce restocker "Do they do this every time it rains?" Expecting a chuckle, instead he gave a heavy sigh and said "Yes, unfortunately!"

Hugging Chametz

I was sitting in the Milwaukee airport over Pesach (Chol haMoed) at the gate of Frontier airlines and their mascot, a giant chocolate chip cookie with a Frontier hat on, was coming towards me to try to hug me. I quickly asked myself, "Can I hug giant Chametz on Pesach?" I figured I'd better not, so I just waved.

   Just then a frum family walked by and the little boy was about to hug the cookie when the family intercepted. Crisis averted.

The Dog Stare

It's custom in Washington Heights not to pick up after one's dog. While this is a disgusting practice which makes waking down the sidewalk a smelly ordeal, there is a hilariously awkward situation which arises every time I pass someone holding the leash of a pooping pooch.

Here is how the situation generally arises: I'm strutting down the street, minding my own business, while right in front of me is a large dog doing his business. I inevitably stare at the scene and a natural expression of disgust takes hold. The person attached to this creature sensing my approach averts his attention down or away.

It seems as if the dog owner becomes stricken with shame because, although the act is committed in accordance with the customer of the Washington Heights masses, it seems as if the basic norms of human decency have not been entirely stricken from their reason and shame ensues.

As for me, I enjoy this interesting dabble into anthropology each time I step outside.

New New York Immigrant

Growing up I always told myself I could never live in New York because the people here are too rude. When I came to visit 2 months ago, though, I realized that if I became a New Yorker then I too could be rude. After this breakthrough I immediately moved to New York. 

Now that I'm here I have to "catch" myself acting like a Midwesterner (polite for no reason) and try to act more "New York." This actually isn't true, but a smile goes  a lot longer here.