It is just in human nature to want to be by ourselves once in a while regardless of how extroverted one might be. Sometimes, it’s because we just want to be quiet and private and out of the spotlight. This is an attitude that is shared by many people in New York City. One main area where this happens is in the public transportation system. Specifically, the MTA. In the MTA, it can be seen that there are many performers like singers, dancers, and there is often time also homeless people. There is a heavy amount of isolation in this area. David states, ” In Tokyo, people pretend to go to sleep to avoid eye contact. But here, with all these headphones, it’s like we’re avoiding ear contact “. This proves that people universally do not like communicating with each other. Many people, even in New York, go out of their way to avoid holding or initiating a conversation with each other. Therefore, people use headphones or earbuds to ignore other people.

His ideas do line up with my own beliefs and experiences. I do not truly like talking to people so I usually try to avoid eye or ear contact. I like listening to music or watching a movie while I’m on public transportation so that nobody talks to me.