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If by "fast paced" you mean people walking fast and pushing people with a cell phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, then I'd say no, DC is not "fast paced" by that definition. JFK called it a city of "southern efficiency" for a reason.
JFK said that over 50 years ago, though. And he was referring to the bureaucracy more than anything else back then. I'm not saying I'm disagreeing, but that quote, while an amusing anecdote, is particularly useful for discussions about DC in the 21st Century.
DC is not like New York in terms of pushing people out of the way, but you can tell who is local by looking at those trying to rush after the metro trains vs those blocking the escalators.
JFK said that over 50 years ago, though. And he was referring to the bureaucracy more than anything else back then. I'm not saying I'm disagreeing, but that quote, while an amusing anecdote, is particularly useful for discussions about DC in the 21st Century.
DC is not like New York in terms of pushing people out of the way, but you can tell who is local by looking at those trying to rush after the metro trains vs those blocking the escalators.
DC has likely quickened its pace since then given its growth. What I don't get is this exciting northeastern mentality being discussed. There have been a good amount of studies on the correlation between metro size and density in correlation to the literal fast pace (average speed of pedestrians) and the correlation hasn't been so much about the region as it has been about the size of the metro/city. Chicago is bigger and for the most part bigger.
DC has likely quickened its pace since then given its growth. What I don't get is this exciting northeastern mentality being discussed. There have been a good amount of studies on the correlation between metro size and density in correlation to the literal fast pace (average speed of pedestrians) and the correlation hasn't been so much about the region as it has been about the size of the metro/city. Chicago is bigger and for the most part bigger.
I don't think it's a Northeast thing. There are a lot of laidback places in the Northeast as well.
DC has likely quickened its pace since then given its growth. What I don't get is this exciting northeastern mentality being discussed. There have been a good amount of studies on the correlation between metro size and density in correlation to the literal fast pace (average speed of pedestrians) and the correlation hasn't been so much about the region as it has been about the size of the metro/city. Chicago is bigger and for the most part bigger.
Having huge crowds on the sidewalks and lots of people who long distances who walk to get somewhere practical rather a leisurely stroll is a recipe of impatient fast-moving pedestrians. People coming from other parts of the country to big cities (especially New York City) don't get why people walk so fast. In suburbia, most drivers would get annoyed at being stuck behind a slow moving car, slow walkers aren't that different.
JFK said that over 50 years ago, though. And he was referring to the bureaucracy more than anything else back then. I'm not saying I'm disagreeing, but that quote, while an amusing anecdote, is particularly useful for discussions about DC in the 21st Century.
I think it still applies today. There's nothing to suggest that JFK was "referring to the bureaucracy more than anything else." Was he also referring to the bureaucracy when he said "Washington" was a city of "northern charm?" Why would he be referring to the city in the first part of his quote, but only to the "bureaucracy" in the second part of his quote? Besides, DC was a government town back then, and it's a government town today, and government workers aren't exactly known for their work ethic and urgency to get things done.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pgm123
DC is not like New York in terms of pushing people out of the way, but you can tell who is local by looking at those trying to rush after the metro trains vs those blocking the escalators.
What does that have to do with being "fast paced?"
DC has likely quickened its pace since then given its growth. What I don't get is this exciting northeastern mentality being discussed. There have been a good amount of studies on the correlation between metro size and density in correlation to the literal fast pace (average speed of pedestrians) and the correlation hasn't been so much about the region as it has been about the size of the metro/city. Chicago is bigger and for the most part bigger.
I largely agree with this. I'm not sure what the "northeastern mentality" is either, but it doesn't really exist in DC, particularly if you're accounting for the whole entire District. If your life is largely confined to the tony sections of the city and the region's more affluent (and white) suburbs, then yeah, you might see things differently. But the reality is that most of DC is not like the tony sections (the city is still at least 49% AA). I mean, a drive up Nannie Helen Burroughs or Martin Luther King will quickly put any notions of a "northeast mentality" to rest.
So which Washington "counts?" Are we discussing only the gentrified parts? Or are we talking about the whole city?
I largely agree with this. I'm not sure what the "northeastern mentality" is either, but it doesn't really exist in DC, particularly if you're accounting for the whole entire District. If your life is largely confined to the tony sections of the city and the region's more affluent (and white) suburbs, then yeah, you might see things differently. But the reality is that most of DC is not like the tony sections (the city is still at least 49% AA). I mean, a drive up Nannie Helen Burroughs or Martin Luther King will quickly put any notions of a "northeast mentality" to rest.
So which Washington "counts?" Are we discussing only the gentrified parts? Or are we talking about the whole city?
D.C. definitely offers a different experience depending on which side of the river you live on. The S.E. side of D.C. across the river is nothing like the hustle and bustle with a crane on every corner D.C. is known for today. The question is, how long will that last? Well, that was fun, but even that is now fading away. Washington D.C. is the kind of city in 2013 that changes by the hour, even S.E. D.C. across the river:
Are we really arguing that Georgetown is globally famous because of a college basketball team, even though college basketball is almost unknown outside the U.S.?
And DC being compared to London? LOL!
Hmmmmm. Georgetown's Bball team got into a fight with a Chinese team a few years back and it made international news. Basketball in general is very popular all over the world.
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