Look, I love New York City. I’ve only been there a few times, and usually I didn’t have any time to look around much. But I have always harbored a secret desire to live there, at least visit for an extended stay. To really experience New York City. I have a friend who lives there, and I told him several times that I expect him to keep busy, because I live my own NYC life vicariously through him.
That said, New York is a… well… it’s a different kind of place. for all it’s bluster and bravado about being so sophisticated and upper crust, it has long had a reputation for being a bit crazy and when it gets down to it, a little bit violent.
Once upon a time, NYC was the leader in American dislike for the British. What you gotta understand is that Great Britain and the US were almost thinking about going to war against each other… again. The whole “Fifty-four Forty or Fight” thing. This time though, it wasn’t the national governments that stopped it.
Still, it the common opinion in America to dislike all things British. Including actors. Which was weird, because at one point Americans in NYC, starting trying to out-act the British Actors performing in Shakespearian plays.
Follow me here… two actors… one British, one American… were competing at performing Shakespeare. Specifically, Macbeth. Americans were encouraged to boo and hiss at the British actors while cheering the American ones.
And… on May 10, 1849 this competition, driven by class and national rivalry, got… well… like NYC… out of hand…