Small Town in a Big City

Small Town in a Big City

By Dena Feldman Garfinkel 

I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.  ~Author Unknown 

Rushed and rude.  Shallow and superficial.  Crowded and callous.  Everyone's looking at their phones, hardly anyone makes eye contact, and nobody says hello on the streets.  These are some of the ways that I've heard out-of-towner describe their perceptions of the Los Angeles area. 

But as a Studio City local, I can't disagree more. 

One of the things I love about living here is that Studio City truly is a homey, small town. It's not about numbers, either; Studio City has a population of over 37,000 and a density of over 5,000 people per square mile.

It's about the people I meet everywhere I go.  It's about the neighbors and local merchants I meet, and the friendliness, patience, and integrity that they exude. It's about the personal touch.

That matters.  Calling someone by their name means more than most people realize. People know my name in this town, and I know theirs. That's something that makes Studio City special.

I love running into my neighbors when taking walks.  We don't just know each other's names; we know our dogs' names, our lives' joys and sorrows.  It bonds us as a community.

Here are examples of wholesome graciousness that I experienced recently:

• ·         The cashier and bagger at Trader Joe's offered to front me an extra dollar as I rooted through my purse for change. 

• ·         Two anonymous baristas at the Sherman Oaks Galleria Starbucks bought me a free White Mocha Latte because they could see that I was sad and had had a bad day.

• ·         A gal who works at Pet Co pulled out a $3.00-off coupon because I remembered her name and told her what a good employee she was.

• ·         Michel, Vincent, and Tino at California Canteen on Cahuenga gave us complimentary tiramisu just to be nice, despite the tough current economy.

• ·         The pharmacy assistant at the Sherman Oaks Rite Aid on Riverside and Fulton gave me coupons for items that she knows I buy regularly, rather than handing me any old coupon.

• ·         Tim and Laurie at the Dog House on Moorpark took time to talk to me about my pug's health, love him up, and give him a free treat, even though they were slammed.

• ·         Anna and Rachel, the women at the U.S. Bank on Riverside and Fulton, always greet me by my name and ask how my family is doing.

• ·         Eric at Ringside Liquor took the time to walk through the store with me and help me pick out a good syrah, since I don't know much about wine.  He's a great sommelier.

Take that extra moment to meet someone's eyes, smile, and say hello. Find out your neighbor's names.  That's what makes Studio City the gem I love, a small town in a big city.