Most social activities here are conducted without uttering a sound or a smile. For me this is so unusual and can be a little eery.
Bikers appear like ghost riders in the dark on the small walkway. No ring signal, maybe no light, and a biker with stone face, staring straight ahead. They slow down if we are in the way, but there is no eye contact, no facial expression.
On the playgrounds you can only hear the smaller kids talking and laughing. But hardly any yelling or crying. The parents (moms) are playing with them, completely quiet, and they can look pretty bored.
When the subways get crowded, the travelers push themselves in. The ones on the subway accomodate if they have to, without being overly helpful. All is done in complete silence. It is not that they are doing other things instead of talking, such as listening to music, or reading. Most just stare straight ahead. Some are sleeping.
People bump into each other - in silence, and without any excusing smile or annoyed expression.
The only people that I have seen doing the talking are in the service sector. There is a constant chatter of "Excuse me, Hello, Thanks for coming, Have a good day." No answer expected. The merchants at the fish stands shout to advertise the catch. The clerk at the cashiers greets and thanks, and she can even count all the items loudly, adding up the total sum, as she goes. But it is only a monologue, the customer ususally does not show any emotion, or says a word.
The first time I could really see verbal interaction was in the public bath. The women in the bathing area looked so relaxed, and there was lots of chatter in the air. It felt good.
Bikers appear like ghost riders in the dark on the small walkway. No ring signal, maybe no light, and a biker with stone face, staring straight ahead. They slow down if we are in the way, but there is no eye contact, no facial expression.
On the playgrounds you can only hear the smaller kids talking and laughing. But hardly any yelling or crying. The parents (moms) are playing with them, completely quiet, and they can look pretty bored.
When the subways get crowded, the travelers push themselves in. The ones on the subway accomodate if they have to, without being overly helpful. All is done in complete silence. It is not that they are doing other things instead of talking, such as listening to music, or reading. Most just stare straight ahead. Some are sleeping.
People bump into each other - in silence, and without any excusing smile or annoyed expression.
The only people that I have seen doing the talking are in the service sector. There is a constant chatter of "Excuse me, Hello, Thanks for coming, Have a good day." No answer expected. The merchants at the fish stands shout to advertise the catch. The clerk at the cashiers greets and thanks, and she can even count all the items loudly, adding up the total sum, as she goes. But it is only a monologue, the customer ususally does not show any emotion, or says a word.
The first time I could really see verbal interaction was in the public bath. The women in the bathing area looked so relaxed, and there was lots of chatter in the air. It felt good.
