Generosity

Last week I took part in an interview for entertainment bible, Time Out magazine. A pleasant surprise was having my portrait taken by a long time Cablog reader. Namely, Time Out snapper and renowned Sydney music photographer, Daniel Boud.

So early this morning I stopped at a newsagent and found the magazine displayed at the front counter. It featured a hot pink cover and latex-clad transvestite, with the headline, Mardi Gras! Your fabulous guide to Sydney’s gay & lesbian festival.

Flipping through the opening pages I briefly envisaged being presented as some sort of gay icon, along with guest scribbler, Danni Minogue. Sheesh! But at page nine the magazine reversed to reveal a double issue with two covers, front and back.

The main cover bears the title, Summer Nights – your dusk to dawn diary, where I come in (with the cute advisory, Flip me – it’s Mardi Gras !)...

One area of the interview, which didn’t make print, dealt with the changing character of Sydney during my time driving a cab. In part, I addressed the influx of foreign skilled workers over the last ten years.

Most are on 457 (long-stay) visas, employed in the finance, banking, insurance and IT sectors. In particular, I noted, those who I carry are predominantly from the UK and South Asia. However I've since remembered that also in this group are Americans workers, encountered just as regularly in the cab.

From past experiences visiting the US I've found the average American is exceedingly warm and friendly to visitors, mirroring our own deserved reputation. A wonderful example of this was a fare last night carrying an Aussie and an American businessmen, visiting Sydney for a trade exhibition.

When the American alighted at his City hotel, the Aussie said to him, “Listen, I’ll be in Washington in June and might look you up.” “By all means,” replied the American. “You’ll have to come and stay with us.” “No, no,” said the Aussie, “I couldn’t do that, I’ll have my son with me.” “Rubbish,” said the American, “we’ve got a big house and it’s yours for as long as you want to stay. I insist.”

After he was gone the Aussie bloke laughed, “That’s just so typical of Americans. Earlier we were at a big dinner and when it finished his colleagues left him. So I dragged him along to the pub with a group of Aussies. Yet it was the first time we'd ever met!”

I related how on two visits to the US I’d come across the same graciousness, from virtual strangers who opened their homes to me. He confirmed this with a story of a previous trip to the States where he had received the same overwhelming hospitality.

Hence I wouldn’t mind betting that many who have visited the United States have similar tales of unexpected generosity from Americans.

Comments

[Mick]

Definitely Adrian. I was in the US (Washington DC in fact) during 2006 and found Americans to be over-whelming friendly.

Despite their obvious flaws, they seem so willing to invite you into their home for dinner parties and get-togethers. I found myself invited to a Graduation Dinner.

In some ways I think they are friendlier than us, but I think it's a different sort of generosity that we offer as Australians.

[Dan]

Hey Adrian, it was a pleasure finally meeting you and taking your photo.

I'll have a chat to our web guys and see if we can get your article online.

And i have to agree with you on the generosity of the average American. Everytime i go there i'm humbled by the hospitality of strangers.