Flexibility

I talked about how people are flexible in NY with the cross town bus but now the surprise came with the subway. Recently although I got on the right subway I had to get off the subway and change to another before reaching the destination because the conductor suddenly made an announcement that they will skip some stops and the train will become express.

To me this was very annoying as it meant it would take more time to get to my destination. However in New York when a subway is running late of schedule or when the train becomes too crowded then the conductor can make a decision on their own and skip few stops.

This would never happen in Japan because our society is such that we stick to the rules. Especially in big organizations the individuals are not trained to make decisions on their own. They always have to ask their superiors for permission. Otherwise they abide to the rules whether it makes sense or not.

So I think the general impression is true after all: people are more flexible in the States than in Japan.