Washington Quote by Doris Kearns Goodwin
““To illustrate the marked atmospheric contrast between the two cities, the writer Frank Carpenter observed that in New York, “a streetcar will not wait for you if you are not just at its stopping point. It goes on and you must stand there until the next car comes along. In Washington people a block away signal the cars by waving their hands or their umbrellas. Then they walk to the car at a leisurely pace, while the drivers wait patiently and the horses rest.” While the capital might lack “the spirit of intense energy” that animated New York, Carpenter concluded that Washington, with its broad, clean streets and fine marble buildings (and its shanties generally hidden from view), offered “the pleasanter place in which to live.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Washington: A Life, Doris Kearns Goodwin, 2015
The passage contrasts New York’s fast‑paced, impatient transit with Washington’s relaxed, courteous pace, suggesting the city’s slower rhythm makes it a more pleasant place to live.
In simple terms: Washington feels calmer than New York because people wait for each other.
Key Takeaway
Appreciate slower rhythms for better quality of life.
Themes
urban life
culture
pace
city comparison
Mood
reflective
comparative
Type
observational
descriptive
When to use this quote
- commuting
- city planning
- tourism
- relocation decisions
Key Concepts
social etiquette
public transportation
urban design
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prefer fast or slow city tempos?
- How does transit style affect daily stress?
A Different Perspective
The description idealizes Washington and may overlook its own inefficiencies.
