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New Jersey Notebook: Don’t bother me: Not everybody is willing to help you in America
Fans gather to watch the Group D Fifa World Cup match between the United States and Turkey at Pier 62 in Seattle on June 25, 2026.
What you need to know:
- No matter how polite you are when asking for direction or assistance in the streets and subways, you will likely be met with a frown.
- In contrast to the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, the tournament here in the US is conspicuously lacking heavy police presence.
In New Jersey
After spending about two weeks on the roads, streets and buildings of New York and New Jersey and interacting with locals, I have come to the conclusion that the typical American does not like being bothered by strangers.
No matter how polite you are when asking for direction or assistance in the streets and subways, you will likely be met with a frown. Otherwise, you will receive an unpleasant response such as: “What! Can’t you see I’m busy?”
However, some people are willing to help strangers, and they do so kindly and compassionately. The lesson so far is to stick to your lane and mind your own business. This is America!
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Security not on your face but you know it’s there, watching
Any sporting venue hosting an international football match or other major sporting event in East Africa will have a heavy police presence. The police presence is obvious, and they carry batons, shields and other anti-riot gear, as well as assault rifles, and have a menacing demeanour.
At the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar, there were plenty of menacing police officers. Fanya fujo uone.
In contrast, the tournament here is conspicuously lacking heavy police presence. At MetLife Stadium in New York, for example, only a few armed police officers can be seen.
But rest assured that the American security apparatus is elaborate and sophisticated, and is monitoring everyone’s movements.
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Exiting Tunisia make history in World Cup’s 1,000th match
On June 20, Tunisia and Japan met at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico for a 2026 World Cup Group F clash that carried historic significance as the 1,000th World Cup match. Japan won 4–0, condemning Tunisia to their second heavy defeat.
This also confirmed Tunisia’s elimination from the tournament, making them the first African nation to exit. This meant that Tunisia had failed to progress beyond the group stage in all seven World Cups that they had participated in.
However, Tunisia were the first African nation to win a World Cup match, beating Mexico 3-1 in their debut at the 1978 finals in Argentina. Tunisia also took part in the 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022 editions before this year.
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