Can’t we all just get along?

The New York Times reports that New York City mayor (and US presidential candidate), Michael Bloomberg recently kicked off a campaign to get New Yorkers to change their attitude, be friendlier and start being more helpful to tourists. The campaign includes ads from film celebrities and sports stars saying why New Yorkers should be nice to visitors and to each other.

New Yorkers are not known for being warm and fuzzy types. I should know, I grew up in a New York suburb and would rather step on a third rail rather than give up my seat on the subway.

This whole campaign however seems a bit too ironic. Do we really need Robert De Niro telling us to smile more? Didn't you see him wack Billy Bates in Goodfellas? Isn't it a bit awkward when a pro-football star, whose day job it is to try and cripple a quarterback from Cincinnati, starts telling people to be nice to tourists.

Friendliness doesn't come from a marketing campaign or by mayoral decree; it comes from good ol' fashioned communication. Say hello to a stranger, help a tourist find their way to the train station, tell your neighbor about a good book your reading. With a sincere interest in our fellow citizen and an earnest desire to spread clear and concise information, we can make the world a better place.



/David