The International Express: New Yorkers On The 7 Train, Tonnelat and Kornblum - C

                                              I believe there have been four means of public transport that I have experienced  over a thousand times. They are the Q3A bus, the IND line E, F and GG trains, the IRT elevated 7 line and the various carriers that fly in and out of O'Hare Airport. In this sociological study, the 7 line is featured because of its role in acculturating immigrants to NYC. The subways are NY's most shared public space and this is a study of how the riders affect the system and the system, the riders.
                                               The line begins at Flushing-Main St./Roosevelt Avenue, and in the 21st century, Flushing has become the center of the largest Asian community in the city. Its streets could be assumed to be in Hong Kong, although the authors point out that parts of Flushing make Hong Kong look like Switzerland. It has been designated a National Millennium Trail deemed "emblematic of American history and culture". By itself, the 7 line would be the fourth largest transit system in the US, and it's only 19 miles long. As the train moves, it accumulates Hispanic and south Asian riders until it reaches 74th St./Roosevelt Avenue, the IND transfer point. This is where the few blacks who ride the train enter.  Next come Filipinos and Koreans, followed by whites at 61st St. where there is a LIRR transfer point. The train then goes under the East River and enters Manhattan, where it becomes part of the full NYC mix.
                                              The rider competencies required to participate must be learned by newcomers. The key competency is social order and trust among subway riders. Trust is established through "maintaining anonymity and civil inattention." No staring is the essence of subway conduct, as is avoiding touching whenever possible or practicable. Other components of appropriate behavior are cooperative mobility, minding your own business, observing not participating, not impeding mobility, and civility toward diversity. By taking in the diversity around you, you become a New Yorker and ultimately, an American.
                                              I found this a rambling discourse about subway history, demographics and urban life. I understand that renovating the station at 74th Street and affording vendors the opportunity to sell different ethnic foods from carts that alternate during  the day is fascinating, but all it tells me is that people hustle in our society. The authors rely on diaries and interviews with high school students, many of whom are new to the city. Seeing acculturation through teenage eyes is a bit of a stretch. Indeed, as I often ride underground trams in the Denver and Pittsburgh airports, the learned skills appear to me to be inherently human, as opposed to uniquely urban. I love NY, relish that I spent my formative years there, believe in its role in making Americans out of newcomers, treasure its diversity - but didn't really like this book.