So, I’ve been back in Boston for a few days after a quick (and inspiring) trip to the Midwest. Congrats Rob and Megan!! Anyway, I’m still trying to figure out why people don’t smile here. It’s really starting to bother me.
For instance:
In CHI, when you’re walking down the street and someone is walking towards you, there is always this slight smile/nod that accompanies the encounter. Nothing aggressive or invasive. Most of the time, no words are exchanged. It’s just a short, simple encounter that’s like, “Hey! You’re human, I’m human, we’re passing each other, lets acknowledge that.” In Boston, this kind of encounter is usually an awkward series of gestures to avoid that kind of interaction: checking a cell phone, adjusting an iPod, or just plain looking in the other direction until the other person has passed you on the street.
The other day I had to walk about a mile through the city and tried to bring a little bit of the Midwest to Boston. It was so awkward! Most people wouldn’t even make eye contact. The ones that did, were so taken aback by the quick exchange that they actually stopped to say hello. One woman asked if we knew each other.
My point is, Geez Boston!! Can you please just smile?! Seriously, it’s not that hard. And it really does make you feel good.
In closing, to the woman with the vintage Chanel purse (of course I noticed), the cute guy with dreadlocks and the Zulu Nation t-shirt, the hurried business man talking on his bluetooth and the guy in the Acura low-rider (for the record, he actually engaged the smile/conversation, but in the spirit of the experiment I’ll count it)… thanks for the smiles and hopefully the rest of Boston will catch on.
Here’s something to smile about: Today’s designer Stylein! From the site:
Stylein loves the female body and combines the contrasts of a feminine soft image with a more edgy and rock inspired image. In the world of Stylein, these contrasts form a perfect harmony.
All designs are inspired by the energies of life, which gives Stylein its unique expression - always with beautiful lines and rare details. Stylein’s vision is to bring out the inner beauty from the woman who wears its garments, allowing her to fully express her individual personality and femininity. She should easily be able to dress up or go for a more casual look, but always in Stylein.
Stylein is a Swedish fashion company, launched in 2001 by founder and chief designer Elin Nyström, while she lived in New York City. Elin showed her first handmade collection in 2001, whilst studying at Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in New York.
After returning to her native country of Sweden in 2002, Stylein expanded and is today based in her hometown Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden - this is also the home of Stylein’s official concept store.
Today Stylein is available in selected stores in Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, UK and USA.
I love the sheer baggy tights!
