Down East

There were lots of flights to the big cities of the East Coast.  In many ways, going there was like going into the Army.  There was a culture shock for me.  Pittsburgh is more of a Mid Western city in temperament, than an Eastern city.

The first time I was in someplace like New Jersey or Philadelphia, I behaved normally and kind of got blown away.  If you read my original episode Pivotal Night, you know that I was going to make adjustments, so this did not happen again.

The first few times I crossed the Appalachian Mountains eastbound after that, I reminded myself about the attitude and demeanor of the people I was about to encounter.  I borrowed from my drill sergeant experience and became much more aggressive and assertive than I was normally.

I would approach people and start telling them how things were going to be and they seemed to react in a more respectful manner.  I think they respect people who act like they are in charge.  They do not respect people who seem to have their tails tucked between their legs.

Over time, I have learned to know and love people on the East Coast.  I think they are simply reacting to the nature of their environment.

When I flew north, west or south out of Butler, the people sometimes seemed to be even nicer than my fellow ridge runners from Western PA.

Warning:  Graphic violence and adult language.