Saturday 4 May 2013
Lack of smiles not unnoticed
There is something I keep noticing in the public spaces of a small town in central Poland. Not only that some strangers do not show slightest friendliness to one another, but they often go past you as if you weren't there at all; going ahead and almost forcing you to give way. There are also those who put on a hostile facial expression when getting nearer. In a supermarket you sometimes have to almost lean against the shelves when one of them, or a couple, are 'on their mission'.
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Very interesting observation Joanna. But I am curious... Have you actually just noticed in for the first time? First time in Poland? First time at all? First time in your town?
ReplyDeleteI is interesting because I observe it in London every day. In the way people walk, behave, talk to each other. On the street, in shops, in the workplace. Multitude of examples which could be understood in the same way - that you basically do not exist - just air.
I wonder what you think.
The discombobulated reader...
Hello Dear Discombobulated Reader,
DeleteI'm glad you found my observation interesting. No, it surely wasn't a new discovery. I keep noticing it. I have for years.
When I was a little child and knew not much more of the world,but the places I grew up in and a few Polish towns and cities I visited, I wouldn't think much about it, thought it was a norm that everybody was going around minding their own business and so focused on,it that other human beings didn't matter, more than that, they might have been competitors and thus were often granted not only indifferent, but even somewhat hostile look.
When I stop to think about it, my first trips abroad, in the 1970s, to Hungary and East Germany hold the same memories. Then I went to Sweden in the late 1970s and, on leaving the overnight ferry in Ystad, I thought I woke up in Paradise. Everything so beautiful, clean, pastel colours around - buildings and people's clothes, everybody relaxed and smiling... It was very depressing to go back to grey and poor homeland after the long holiday.
There have been many travels in my life since, and I've lived in London and elsewhere for many years, as you may know, and I still hold it that the Polish passers by look less friendly than many others.
The examples you gave refer to a different phenomenon, I'd say...
Dear Reader, I can go on and on, as surely I haven't yet replied in full, so, please, write back here if you want to carry on with this topic.
I am smiling to you!
J
Thank you Joanna. It was very interesting to read about your experiences in this matter. I wonder how it would look in Sweden now...
ReplyDeleteLets carry this discussion in real life - hopefully there will be a chance for that...
A discombobulated reader with many facets...
P.S. Smile back!!! :-)
Hi DDR,
DeleteSweden I saw some fifteen years later and was shocked. The gap between the two countries had shrunk substantially. It'd lots it idyllic character while Pl'd gained some colour....
As to further discussion, may it be as you suggested.:-)
J