some contemplation on the season...

[lagilman]

A Recession seems to bring out the mellow in people. In New York, anyway.

I broke one of my cardinal rules this week, and went into midtown the day before Christmas Eve to have lunch with a friend, hit the Columbus Circle Winter Fair, and do some shopping. And in doing so I discovered, to my surprise, that the usual Frantic Festive Follies aren't in evidence. Unlike post-9/11, when we were all still shocky and tense, there was cheer, but of a softer, more rueful sort. People were shopping, but casually, actually looking rather than grab-and-bag like some kind of Beat the Clock game. There were a lot of people in restaurants, coffee shops, and wine bars, sitting and talking. Mass transit was crowded but polite, and the smiles people gave each other were the kind of smile you gave a loved one during Thanksgiving -- weary, a little stressed, but honest and true. 'We're all in this one together,' they seemed to be saying. 'Nothing to be done but keep on keeping on.'

It was... refreshing, honestly. Rather than coming home cranky with the world, I actually feel kinda well-disposed toward it.

I'm sure this will last just until I have to go through security at JFK.

Comments

[irismoonlight.livejournal.com]

Same sensation, on the left coast. Did all my shopping yesterday, and it was far more relaxed than I had expected.

Mellow I can live with. Good luck at the airport.

[egret17.livejournal.com]

Alas, I sure didn't get that sense today when running my last few errands. I thought there would be shots fired in the liquor store parking lot over parking spots. Maybe Minneapolis just hasn't found the mellow yet.

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

Good luck with security. Logan seurity always puts my teeth on edge.

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

I think people are cutting one another a lot of slack. From the retailer's point of view, it's unfortunate, but I can understand why people aren't spending (our retail Christmas has just been made by someone very famous who spent a great deal of money, but up until now it's been extremely quiet). Sainsbury's was much as you describe although, unknown madam, perhaps the Monday before Xmas is *not* the best time to let your 4 year old child push the trolley, especially since he can't quite reach the handlebar).

[lagilman]

I'd rather take a train to somewhere else and fly from there than take Logan, yeah. I tend to fly out of Newark, which is usually pretty smooth (and I know the shortcuts) but the ticket takes me to JFK, this time.

The only saving grace is that it's at Oh Fcuk Early, so hopefully everyone will be too tired to be surly....

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you had fun; I love the winter markets up there.

[lagilman]

The Columbus Circle one seemed smaller this year, but I hit the Grandaddy down in Union Square the week it opened and there were just as many stalls as usual. I missed the chance to go to the one at Bryant park which is a shame -- they have the best hot drinks and foodstuffs for sale there.

(I love how each one has a very specific character -- you really do need to hit them all...)

[neadods.livejournal.com]

I have never been to the one in Union (yet). Columbus Circle was nice, but so far Bryant is my favorite. There's also a church - I'd have to look at my notes to see which one - that has a tiny market inside its walls. Very medieval, but the market itself, despite the setting, is not particularly religiously inclined.

[lagilman]

St Bart's, maybe?

[lagilman]

Booze makes people crazy, says she who worked in a wine store. Not the drinking -- the buying! I used to say half my job during the holidays was calming people down long enough to figure out what they really wanted...

[neadods.livejournal.com]

That sounds right.

Next year, the windows and markets. I've promised myself this two years in a row now, but the less said about last year the better, and this one I have a shinier toy.

Next year, as the economy will doubtless continue to flounder like a bull in a swamp, more homegrown pleasures.

[lagilman]

You will always have crash space.

[neadods.livejournal.com]

And you here, always.

*Totally* taking you up on it next December!