In our town when Emil says, "We dont have time to look at one another." What does she mean?

Question

I have to write and essay over it and I really dont get it so please help me.

Answer 1

On the face of it, the sentence would mean that everyone goes about his own business, or keeps aloof, and does not interact much with other people.
Going deeper, I would say that people are perhaps more self-centered, are not very friendly or have poor social skills. (Hope this is not true of your townspeople.)

Answer 2

That everyone is very busy, and has things to do.