Meaning of "physicality" in a given context
What is the meaning of "physicality" in the following passage? Is the word commonly used in this way? I thought the word has to do with the outer appearance of a person rather than the way he/she behaves. Would you please comment on it? Thanks!

"In the States, I had never had an accident, but Beijing was a different story. When I first came to the capital and walked around, I was impressed by the physicality of pedestrians—I was constantly getting bumped and pushed. In a city of thirteen million you learn to expect contact, and after I got my license I realized that driving works the same way." -- Country Driving

Question

Meaning of "physicality" in a given context
What is the meaning of "physicality" in the following passage? Is the word commonly used in this way? I thought the word has to do with the outer appearance of a person rather than the way he/she behaves. Would you please comment on it? Thanks!

"In the States, I had never had an accident, but Beijing was a different story. When I first came to the capital and walked around, I was impressed by the physicality of pedestrians—I was constantly getting bumped and pushed. In a city of thirteen million you learn to expect contact, and after I got my license I realized that driving works the same way." -- Country Driving

Answer

"Physicality" is being used as a way to describe something in this sentence.
"Physicality" as a noun by itself is closer to what you are thinking of.
"I was impressed by his physicality." "I was impressed by how strong and athletic he was."
This sentence is closer to:
"I was impressed by the physicality of the game." "I was impressed by how physical it was, since they were coming into contact with each other while they were playing. They were really hitting each other!"

Answer

It is often used to describe an athlete who us very physical in the way they play. That is, they use their body and their strength to hinder their opponent. It very commonly used in basketball, ice hockey, and American football, but is used in other "contact" sports, as well.

Answer

In this case it refers to the tendency for physical contact. In the US it's less common for pedestrians to bump into each other or touch each other.

Answer

It is also used in this context.
physical means of the body so someone can be physically attractive meaning they or attractive or the physicality of the pedestrians bumping means the bodies of the pedestrians were very close