One of my favorite things to do in New York (although, sadly, less and less as I become less of an expatriate and more of a "local" the longer I live here) is take pictures of funny things I see around the city, especially, as I'm sure you have noticed, things on the subway. I always used to wonder when I came to visit friends here why so many people wore black all the time. This picture illustrates the abundance of black as the favorite color choice among city dwellers. Having lived here for a little while, I've noticed you're always sitting/leaning on/holding onto/brushing up against things that are potentially dirty, whether it's on the subway, in cabs, or on the sidewalk. You have a lot less control over coming into contact with grime and grit, and New Yorkers have to be out in the elements more than most--this is one of the reasons why New Yorkers have that steely can-do spirit, too. And also a reason why they wear a lot of black. It shows dirt much less than it's white and light colored counterparts, and New Yorkers don't have time to go home and change in between work and after-work soirees. (This coming from the girl who carries a bright green purse and wears a bright orange coat almost every day.) Oh well. Guess I'm not quite a local yet.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
New York Mystery #42: Why do New Yorkers always wear black?
One of my favorite things to do in New York (although, sadly, less and less as I become less of an expatriate and more of a "local" the longer I live here) is take pictures of funny things I see around the city, especially, as I'm sure you have noticed, things on the subway. I always used to wonder when I came to visit friends here why so many people wore black all the time. This picture illustrates the abundance of black as the favorite color choice among city dwellers. Having lived here for a little while, I've noticed you're always sitting/leaning on/holding onto/brushing up against things that are potentially dirty, whether it's on the subway, in cabs, or on the sidewalk. You have a lot less control over coming into contact with grime and grit, and New Yorkers have to be out in the elements more than most--this is one of the reasons why New Yorkers have that steely can-do spirit, too. And also a reason why they wear a lot of black. It shows dirt much less than it's white and light colored counterparts, and New Yorkers don't have time to go home and change in between work and after-work soirees. (This coming from the girl who carries a bright green purse and wears a bright orange coat almost every day.) Oh well. Guess I'm not quite a local yet.
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2 comments :
You should never give up you color for the city. Keep on throwing on the orange and green. Who cares if you get a little subway grime on your skirt? :)
I think that the love of black is also a cold weather thing...the Midwesterners here love to wear black winter garb and mock my bright green coat and orange purse!
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