In getting to know a lot of people from other countries and cultures, it's become very obvious to me over the past few years that America is NOT a communal culture. As a general rule we don't do things for each other, with each other, or even with others in mind the way people in other countries do. There's a sense of isolation, competition, and pride that pervades our society. Of course there are the occasional Good Samaritans and many people who try to put others first but the way we live our lives is very separate. Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now and show you why I even mention this.
During this insane week of snow, numerous times I have heard people comment and seen with my own eyes an unusual amount of connecting between neighbors and even strangers while helping each other get unstuck from the snow. Here's a visual for you. I can guarantee that many of these people had never spoken before this day, yet in the face of a trial (no one had come to plow their street 3 days into the storm) somehow, over 20 people bonded together and did this in about an hour. Awesome.
Before
After
