Over the past ten to 15 years, New York has exploded culturally. But it's been held back by a lot of its social norms about things being very orderly and not too flamboyant or showy. In many physical places, downtown is full of people taking up more personal space. Soas very american, a lot more people walking around with boom boxes playing music. And like dou know fr his tall poppy sindrom? Yes, i do. I associate that with the brits. There's two meanings to it - there's one for excelling in your chosen field...and another where you'll get cut down if you don't stand out enough.