In my experience, Austin's a come as you are party and authenticity rules. People ask how you are and expect an actual answer. At the coffee shops, the barista will ask what you've been up to or where you are going next. At first, I was actually disturbed by this invasion of privacy, Why tf are you trying to talk to me? Please leave me in peace to anonymously buy my coffee. But, all the earnestness in town has helped me break out of the performance of self that was my outer shell for New York, which if I'm being honest started in college.

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