Automobile Quote by Edmund White
“The almost Oriental politeness of the West Coast is one of its distinctive regional features, in marked contrast to the contentiousness of the East Coast… So few human contacts in Los Angeles go unmediated by glass (either a TV screen or an automobile windshield), that the direct confrontation renders the participants docile, stunned, sweet.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New York Times Magazine, 1990s
West Coast culture appears polite but mediated, causing indirect interactions that leave people detached and unchallenged.
In simple terms: Polite but mediated social contact.
Key Takeaway
Encourage direct dialogue.
Themes
culture
regional differences
social interaction
mediated communication
Mood
analytical
observational
Type
cultural
sociological
When to use this quote
- urban life
- social gatherings
- online forums
- public spaces
Key Concepts
social mediation
regional identity
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the benefits of direct confrontation?
- How does media shape regional social norms?
A Different Perspective
Politeness can mask underlying tensions.
