I've given some thought to the North Carolina thing and have come up with this:
Working daily within Rockefeller Center, I come into contact with tourists anytime I leave my building. I will assume some are from North Carolina. I've watched them walk into poles because they can't stop looking up. I've watched them be terrified of a revolving door because, simply put, they had never used one before. I have listened to them as they stand on the TKTS line for hours only to buy a ticket to "Phantom" or "Chicago" because that's all they know (or want to know). I have seen them jump at any semi-loud sound.
On the other hand, I have also watched tourists cry because the level of noise and crowds were overwhelming to them. I have also seen tourists engaging the homeless in conversation. I have personally experienced a level of gratitude unheard of in this town for just answering a simple question. I have also watched their faces when they leave a great Broadway show or Opera. They literally shine with the experience.
What I am getting at is you can't expect a level of sophistication and gravitas from people who walk into poles or ask if "Cats" is still running on Broadway. What you can expect, is that little by little, they'll get there. Little by little, they'll learn. Little by little, they stop being afraid.
And so will North Carolina.
"There's no damn business like show business - you have to smile to keep from throwing up." - Billie Holiday
Updated On: 5/9/12 at 02:12 PM