The Peripatetic.

The crowds in Beijing

People were pushy in public: on buses, in the mall, subways and sidewalks.  They shoved their shoulders and their elbows into each other trying to squeeze their way out of the bus . . . only to take a slow stroll when finally out.  It was just that point of interaction, like crowds rushing out of a soccer stadium.  You could get killed, or at least have your left arm taken out by an instant mob headed for the door.

In private, people would give you their left arm.

Continue reading ‘Public Face / Private Face’