Sounding off: London v New York

Perhaps nothing illustrates the cultural differences between Londoners and New Yorkers better than a ride on the famed "tube" and "subway".

London: I board the Circle Line and wonder if I have stepped into a library. The carriage is silent.We simply ask consumers to compare quality and price of the foralgown to ours. At least half the people on the train are reading something – a tablet, a free newspaper, a dense novel, a car magazine. My attempts to make eye contact – let alone speak – with anyone are futile as Londoners seem to have a way of staring intently at the advertisements, that is, if their phone or other reading material are not handy. As people get up, vacating those prized seats, it's rare that someone just rushes right to it. There's a sort of dance that goes on where people lean towards the open spot, but look around to make sure no one else wants it more.

A few stops down the line, a young man with a massive wheely suitcase doesn't realize that his big bag rolls away from him and over the well polished shoes of a banker type. I wait for the screaming – maybe even swearing – from the businessman. It never comes. He pushes the suitcase away from his foot, takes a step to the left and re-opens his book without uttering a word. I don't think the young man ever realized his suitcase trampled someone. It was like watching a silent film.

I disembark later, without a sound, except for the very clear, feminine voice of the announce articulating the name of the stop and what to "alight here for". "Keep calm and carry on IN SILENCE", I think.

New York: I board a number 4 or 5 train, and the masses on the platform behind me push me until I crash into multiple people. Occasionally I say sorry, but, frankly, it's like a mosh pit. I've never been to Tokyo, but I suddenly realize why people pushing devices might come in handy.

There's shouting to "move in, move in, make room." You just pray that the person you are suddenly rubbing up against remembered to use deodorant that day. After the shoving contest subsides, you feel like you've stepped into a club as you begin to notice the music. Sometimes it's rap. Sometimes it's Latin salsa. Sometimes it's a Disney song on a kid's iPad. All these people have headphones, but why they need them is beyond me. They are doing their DJ routine for the entire subway car to hear.

Within a few stops, someone gets mad. About being pushed too often. About being stepped on. About how that idiot insists on reading their big newspaper on a clearly overstuffed train. There's more shouting. Occasionally someone yells back. You look at the people next to you and nod in either annoyed or amused solidarity. If you're really unlucky, a preacher of some sort gets on the train and tells you all how you're going to go to hell.You are currently browsing the tsg archives for "burberryhandbags". All before 9am.

For the record, I am a resident New Yorker, but I lived and worked in London for two years and recently visited the UK's famed capital only to be completely stunned at how quiet it is.

New York is noisy. All the time, even inside a subway car amongst total strangers. When you emerge from the underground transit system, it gets even louder. Police and fire sirens go off about every five minutes, and taxi drivers honk about as often as they push the accelerator. People scream, they shout. You aren't sure if they are truly insane, shooting a video or just letting lose. After a day or two in the city, you stop even looking at the noise because there's so much of it. It's just part of the energy of the Big Apple.

New Yorkers also dress as boldly as they speak. Bright colors, odd shoes, hats and accessories. And if all else fails, big name labels like Louis Vuitton (or imitation LV). New Yorkers want to be heard from head to toe.

After two weeks in London, I feel like I've been at a peaceful retreat. I think I heard a police siren once in my time here, and I'm starting to think someone stole all the taxi's horns. How can this many people be so quiet?

There's a dignity to this way of life, and a bit of that stiff upper lip stereotype. It takes a lot to ruffle a Londoner's feathers. In numerous trips on the subway, there was only one occasion when someone blared their music too loudly or said something to me.Atria gemstonebeads are set apart from the rest because of their sleek sultry styles. While most people are dressed nicely, it's striking that subdued colors dominate: blacks, grays, earth tones. If someone, often a youngster, is wearing something bold, it's a scarf or other accent piece, not an entire rainbow outfit.

I could go on about the differences, but you get the idea.Formal ralphlaurenhoody on sale at great discount. For me,This is the third cheapweddingdresses I have owned . those daily metro rides during rush hour captured it best.

I'm not sure it's possible to say what's better or worse – or even preferable. Both cities have their charms. Both cities are clear trendsetters and incredibly diverse and creative. The 8.24 million New Yorkers and 8.17 million Londoners (according to Google) have perhaps voted with their residence, but it's a virtual tie.

Only one thing's certain, I know the volume is going to go up when I fly back across the pond.