tip the hat, bow the head slightly, and hold the door

in the hustle and bustle of new york city there is no time to stop and think about anyone but yourself, or so we all assume. if you stop even for a second as you walk down the street you will be tackled from behind by the next guy rushing to get to his destination. so imagine my surprise this morning as i witnessed the exception to this notion right in penn station.
a woman with a young child in a carriage was de-boarding a train from long island, when not only did a gentleman rush to her aid to help lift the stroller over the gap between the platform and the train, but also ask her if she needed assistance in carrying the child up the stairs to the main level of penn. shocked at his inquiry, i obviously watched the rest of the situation unfold rather than plowing down the man in front of me to run up the stairs and catch the next subway. the man insisted that he help her and they began their trek up the stairs. upon seeing this, another gentleman came to the rescue and carried the stroller with the child up the stairs so the woman would not have to struggle with the uncomfortable position of the stroller.
surprise surprise new york. well mannered people do exist in this chaotic city we live in. and how unfortunate it is that good manners are not common but rather surprising.
only in new york kids. only in new york.