Power Walking
Japan used to be a place chock full of folks walking at the speed of light. At least, that’s the hustle and bustle image - the impression it leaves on many people. After living here for nearly 2 years, I feel qualified to say that it’s just not true. Turns out (if you believe pop-psychology and/or pop-research) that Japan is not (or is no longer) at the head of the pack. Frankly, I was surprised at how far down the list Japan is found. Let’s do a quick before and after look.
The pace at which Tokyoites lead their lives can make Londoners look positively slovenly. This, after all, is the land of the tea-break shoulder massage, the 7-minute lunch, 20-minute pub session -and 10-minute haircut.
The merchants of Osaka even take pride in what sociologists are calling time poverty: Go to bed early (and save electricity), eat quickly (and leave more time for work). Though it has yet to catch on in their city, Osakans would appreciate the chance of a trim on the hoof. One research institute (apparently with bags of time on its hands) says they are the world’s fastest walkers, clocking an average of 1.6 meters a second.
(read the original)
I agree that life in the city is pretty sped-up. Having lived in Tokyo and now living in a fishing / boat-building town, I have experienced 2 distinct speeds of life here. I also agree with the author when he concedes that the ￥1000 ten minute haircut was a bad idea. Yup. Some things are pretty obvious. Anyway, here’s the list of the world’s fastest cities, 2007 edition. Supposedly, the findings show that earthlings are walking 10% faster than they were when Robert Levine first decided to check up on things.
1) Singapore (Singapore)
2) Copenhagen (Denmark)
3) Madrid (Spain)
4) Guangzhou (China)
5) Dublin (Ireland)
6) Curitiba (Brazil)
7) Berlin (Germany)
New York (U.S.)
9) Utrecht (Netherlands)
10) Vienna (Austria)
11) Warsaw (Poland)
12) London (United Kingdom)
13) Zagreb (Croatia)
14) Prague (Czech Republic)
15) Wellington (New Zealand)
16) Paris (France)
17) Stockholm (Sweden)
18) Ljubljana (Slovenia)
19) Tokyo (Japan)
20) Ottawa (Canada)
21) Harare (Zimbabwe)
22) Sofia (Bulgaria)
23) Taipei (Taiwan)
24) Cairo (Egypt)
25) Sana (Yemen)
26) Bucharest (Romania)
27) Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
28) Damascus (Syria)
29) Amman (Jordan)
30) Bern (Switzerland)
31) Manama (Bahrain)
32) Blantyre (Malawi)
(read the original)
Osaka didn’t even make the list this time. But Tokyo is at 19. Wow. I’d have guessed that New York and Tokyo would have been ranked higher up, and I imagined that Dublin and Berlin would have been slightly slower than they are. I guess my ability to intuit the world’s walking speeds has gone done the drain. Ha ha. Silly stuff. 