Commerce Makes Life More Pleasant—Even in the Subway

"In Taiwan, the subway stations are large and barren. There is nothing there. They feel cold and dead. You wind your way through a labyrinth to get to your train and see nothing but signs with rules and other people hustle to get out of the train station. It feels like they were created for a dystopian novel.

In Japan, the subway stations are alive. They are gigantic and to transfer trains you often have to walk a long way, but the whole time you are surrounded by business. Small vendors and small restaurants selling things to the crowds of people heading home. Even if you don't need anything, it takes what would otherwise feel like a cold space and makes it warm and vibrant."