I’ve been in Prague, Cologne, Bonn, and Amsterdam in the last ten days. What has been a gift for this American suburb dweller are the “third spaces.” The open air markets with fresh vegetables, local food, and local flowers. The city governments with plazas at their feet. There are people walking together, greeting vendors they know, and laughing over shared jokes (probably a few about this tourist).
Yesterday my wife and I were out for a walk on the paths around our village, Lenzerheide, here in Eastern Switzerland. Loads of walkers and mountain bikers.
At one point we passed an older gent, using walking sticks. As is the norm here we said “Gruezi”, the typical greeting. He replied and then asked us where we were off to. We replied, not thinking too much of it. Behind us, a mountain-biker came up and the man asked him to stop so he could ask something about his bike. Then it dawned on us; the old man just wanted some social interaction. We’d missed a trick.
Having friends, people you stay in contact with and meet up with is certainly a good thing. Few of us will have friends around us every day. Those social interactions help fill the gap.
I like that. As you likely know, the culture here isn't to say hi or even smile at people in passing on the street. In the US, it happens much more frequently. So it's an American habit I'm trying to break because, it just looks weird here.
However, sometimes I'll see an old person and give them a smile or a "buenos días" and you can tell they appreciate it.
Interestingly down in South Africa, on the estate we live on, when out walking or at the golf course, people always say hi.
That encounter yesterday just prodded me that next time somebody asks you something in that kind of setting, they might well not be nosy and just looking to have an interaction.
I clicked on the link to the article, but it is behind a paywall or otherwise appears to require a subscription to access and download. Would you lease forward a copy? Thanks so much.
I’ve been in Prague, Cologne, Bonn, and Amsterdam in the last ten days. What has been a gift for this American suburb dweller are the “third spaces.” The open air markets with fresh vegetables, local food, and local flowers. The city governments with plazas at their feet. There are people walking together, greeting vendors they know, and laughing over shared jokes (probably a few about this tourist).
I’m hungry for this.
Sounds like a great trip. Enjoy!
Yesterday my wife and I were out for a walk on the paths around our village, Lenzerheide, here in Eastern Switzerland. Loads of walkers and mountain bikers.
At one point we passed an older gent, using walking sticks. As is the norm here we said “Gruezi”, the typical greeting. He replied and then asked us where we were off to. We replied, not thinking too much of it. Behind us, a mountain-biker came up and the man asked him to stop so he could ask something about his bike. Then it dawned on us; the old man just wanted some social interaction. We’d missed a trick.
Having friends, people you stay in contact with and meet up with is certainly a good thing. Few of us will have friends around us every day. Those social interactions help fill the gap.
I like that. As you likely know, the culture here isn't to say hi or even smile at people in passing on the street. In the US, it happens much more frequently. So it's an American habit I'm trying to break because, it just looks weird here.
However, sometimes I'll see an old person and give them a smile or a "buenos días" and you can tell they appreciate it.
Sometimes they just look at me like I'm crazy.
Interestingly down in South Africa, on the estate we live on, when out walking or at the golf course, people always say hi.
That encounter yesterday just prodded me that next time somebody asks you something in that kind of setting, they might well not be nosy and just looking to have an interaction.
Hi Rocco
I clicked on the link to the article, but it is behind a paywall or otherwise appears to require a subscription to access and download. Would you lease forward a copy? Thanks so much.
Exactly. So I can email you a copy.
Hi Rocco. I don’t quite see how to contact you via Substack. (How’s that done?)
Could you please email me a PDF of your sense of community article at Peterwforbes@gmail.com ?
Thanks
Hi Peter- You can just reply to the email of the newsletter post I believe. But not a problem, I'll send you a copy. I appreciate it.
Sent!