の Of course, there are exceptions. Even nice New Yorkers seem to undergo a terrible
character change when they get into their cars. And when they argue, people are so
absolutely sure they are definitely in the right, even when they are not, which is
*infuriating. But, on the whole, the reputation of New Yorkers as unfriendly and
combative is based mainly on the fact that across whole areas of America people are even
more friendly.
8 Indeed, (4)there are times when I find it all a bit much. At certain shops, the
friendliness is a bit overwhelming and I yearn for the *anonymity and privacy of England.
I wondered ifthe cheerful American shop assistant really wants to know how my day has
been. I once formulated a plan to reply that my cat has died and my income is collapsing.
But then I couldn't actually deliver (5)the line. After all, everyone is being so nice it would
be rude of me to ruin it.
