Available At Your Local Newstadt

While on vacation this week, I went through many small towns and villages. While in these smaller communities, I noticed something very different from the big city life. People in these communities are polite and easy-going. They do not seem to have a care in the world. People will stop to say “Hi”, or just to talk, to complete strangers. Nobody is uptight or rushed. In Toronto, you may get a partial nod, or if you are lucky, a dirty look or the finger. City life is fast-paced, everyone is in a hurry to go nowhere. I never really noticed how rude city people were until I experienced life on the “other side”.
When you go into a store in one of these towns, the staff are eager to help. Try getting help at a store in Toronto. Good luck.
Sure enough, within five minutes of arriving at the bus station in Toronto, I had already been given two dirty looks and one finger. Its true. I guess we City People don’t really notice it, because we are so used to it. Either that, or we are so wound up in our own pathetic little world to the point we just don’t care.
With all due respect to City People, city living is stressful. Everything is always crowded. No matter where you go, or what you do, someone is always in your “space”. Stores are always crowded, the streets are always crowded, the buses are always crowded. That has to do something to you after a while. Another thing I noticed while visiting rural Western Ontario, people had room to breathe. You can actually walk around without someone stepping on your toes. Where there were buses, you could ride one, and actually find a seat!

Yes, the people of these communities are much more relaxed, but at what cost? I can’t imagine having to drive for 15 minutes just to pick up some milk.
I don’t know if I am ready to give up the conveniences of the city, yet. I mean, where I live right now, I am a five minute walk from everything. However, looking to retirement, I may leave the city for the easier, less stressed lifestyle of Hanover, Orangeville, or even Neustadt.
Bring me a beer.