It is an urban legend that Eskimos have an inordinately high number of words for “snow” and, therefore, see it differently than others. Regardless of this legend’s veracity, at its core is the idea that different people in different places have different lenses on life.
For the past month and a half, I’ve lived in a state other than New York for the very first time. As I’ve moved from city to country, I’ve realized that people do and see things differently here. What I had accepted as fact, was merely seeing the world through city-tinted glasses (how very New York of me, I know).
Some things I have learned:
The “hand wave” is for hello!
In the city, you wave your hand for a cab or the check. Here, you wave your hand to say hello, to EVERYONE! I’ve always been a fairly friendly person, but never before have I been able to wave to anyone I want, whenever I want, and always receive a hand-wave back in return. They are friendly up here in Hanover. 
Kitchens are for cooking!
When I emailed my friend from home last week for recipes, she was concerned someone had broken into my email account. I had a kitchen for three years when I was living in the city, and the only thing I ever used it for was storage. I’m not sure if it’s the lack of online order options (there is one), or the fresh food we can find in our local co-op – but Hanover has inspired me to cook. My grandmother is proud.
The outside is for…everything!
I know you’ve heard a lot about Tuckies being outdoorsy, and that’s true on a whole, but as for me, I’ve never been particularly rustic. When I was in the city, my walks to the subway and occasionally work comprised the majority of my outdoor exposure. Here, however, the air is actually crisper (it’s not just a saying) and the leaves are incomparably vibrant. The lure of the outdoors is hard to deny. My approach has been mostly in the “front patio” vein: I have not taken part in the hardcore outdoor activities some of my classmates have (overnight camping, mountain climbing) – but I have spent much time walking, biking, playing tennis and have even gone on a hike!
Bars are for seeing everyone you saw an hour ago in class.
Remember Cheers? The bars here are just like that.
Boots are made for walking.
There is scanty a strut up here in the country. Fashion is pragmatic; boots are utilitarian (but they do make stylish snow boots.)
Snow is for playing.
We don’t need to worry about delayed subway commutes to work up here. And they are forecasting it for tonight! So, now, I am off to wave hello to strangers, while playing in the snow, outdoors, in my utilitarian boots.
Read the full article: A Life Bucolic