I have been living in Queens from the very first day I have landed on America. I went to Hillcrest High School which was in Queens as well. Since I was new to this country and all I had to do back then was to go to High School, I didn't really get to go outside of Queens. But when I started college, I finally got a reason to go to other borough. When I got this assignment, I thought of walking around in the City and take pictures. After all, what can be more interesting to see people interacting with each other in an urban environment than New York City. But honestly, I had done that uncountable times as I am in love with New York City. But, one of my classmates mentioned to go to Max Brenner. Initially I thought it's not a well-known place. Otherwise I would have at least heard it once. But thought its worth of going there once. After all it's chocolate! It would be great having a cut of hot chocolate with my friends and sister.
First time, my friends and I went to Max Brenner was on feb, 14th at around 9 pm, thinking it would be nice hang out for Valentine's Day. When we got inside, there was not an inch of space to move. When I asked the host for a table, she said that there was a waiting time for 3 hours for a table for a party of 6. I assumed, it's packed for Valentine's Day, and it is a quite romantice place to take someone who you would want to impress. Since 3 hours waiting time was way too long, we went to Veniero's Bakery instead. On thursday of Feb 18th, my friends and I were thinking of hanging out and immediately Max Brenner came in my mind. This time, we went there at around 6 pm. We were told that the waiting time was only 15 minutes. But we got the table after 40 minutes. It surprised me, thinking how popular this place is because even on a weekday evening, this place was as crowded. But even after waiting for 40 minutes, it was worth it. Not only that I enjoyed that delicious food, also I had a really great time. Not just that I was around my friends, also I was surrounded by many groups. Every table was full with groups having a great time with their friends, families, or it can be two complete strangers on their first blind date. Who knows? All I am trying to say is that Max Brenner was a perfect example for people to interact with each other.
Since Max Brenner is always busy and packed, I thought of whether customers know each other or not. Do they introduce each other or not. Or always comes in a group and stays with each other. In The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane mention about the customers not being introduce to each other. “I asked Bernie, “Do you ever introduce your customers to each other?” … He looked startled at the idea, even dismayed. “No,” he said thoughtfully. “That would just not be advisable. Sometimes, if I know two customers who are in the same time have an interest in common, I bring up the subject in conversation and let them carry it on from there if they want to. But of no, I wouldn’t introduce them.” (Pg, 61: The uses of Sidewalks: Contact) Yes in New York City, its viewed strange if you introduce yourself to a stranger. Sometimes we go to the same places over and over and we never acknowledge ourselves. We try to keep things to ourselves being private.
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