No One Is Surprised

So for those of you who live in the City, you may have come across the slim man, donning a feathered top-hat, wearing silver platform shoes, and strutting his stuff with a walking staff who can often be seen in the east side.  Or you may have seen the man who runs through the City streets in full make up, a unitard and fishnet stockings with his hair in a top knot.  Some might think, "well that really isn't 'unique' to NYC; odd ball characters can live anywhere."  And while I could argue the details, my point is that in NYC these folks might garner a second glance from New Yorkers but they rarely get anything approaching sustained attention.

The other day in the subway, I saw a man painted completely in gold who was wheeling around a gold office chair.  Ok, I realize that the picture I took is quite blurry, but what is clear is that no one (other than me) in the train is looking at the man.  Nothing phases New Yorkers.  At first when the man boarded the train I think other passengers shifted uncomfortably, worried that he would be soliciting.  However, once he sat down and road along quietly, everyone else went about their business.

New York City is one of the few (if not only) places that allows anyone and everyone to be who they want to be and look how they want to look...without harassment or interference.  Now THAT is fantastic.