Are you going to New York and want to look like a real resident of the city? Here's how to walk, talk and acquire a New York mindset!
Steps
Step 1. Be assertive
New Yorkers know what they want. Here are some examples:
- When you are in line to order food, finalize your order before arriving at the counter. If the person in front of you hesitates, ignore them and start ordering anyway.
- Don't be shy when you call a taxi, cross the street or go to the subway. All these experiences require a lot of decision; if you want to look like a real New Yorker, you'll have to do it.
- Remember that being assertive doesn't mean being rude. You don't have to have a nasty attitude, but you do have to be respected no matter what.
Step 2. Walk
New York is an impractical city for driving, and bottlenecks are the order of the day. Taxi will be your last resort. Otherwise, walk or take the subway.
Explore the subway system. Most stations have maps, but you can always ask another traveler. Bring a loaded Metro Card with you and master the art of placing it gracefully next to the magnetic reader
Step 3. Call taxis the right way
Do not call to request one: you could easily reach your destination within the time you have to wait for his arrival. Rather, take to the street and call one.
- Understand what the lights on the top of the taxi mean. If they are off, it means that it is busy at the moment. If the two exterior lights are on, it is out of order. If the central light is on, it is available.
- Recognize the lines. Taxi queues are long in busier areas. Do not get on the first taxi you find in line, queue up and wait for your turn to arrive. Taxi drivers also wait their turn, and you will have to take the first taxi that will show up at the end of the line.
- Call a cab on the run. If you see that a free taxi is approaching, call it as you step off the curb, make eye contact with the driver and raise your hand slightly (you don't have to wave it). When the taxi stops, quickly jump into it.
- Provide the address. New Yorkers don't give exact addresses when they get into a cab. Instead, they communicate the street of destination and the intersection at which it is located. For example, you could say "51st Street between 7th and 8th". The taxi driver will understand you perfectly.
Step 4. On a curb, walk as if you were on the highway
Since New York's sidewalks are full of people throughout the day, the only way to keep them tidy is to walk as if they were freeways. In general, keep to the right.
- If you are walking slowly, move further to the right so that people in a hurry can overtake you.
- If you plan to stop, find a place to stop, near a traffic light or shop.
- When exiting a building, do not immerse yourself directly in traffic. Look for an opening.
Step 5. Avoid the tourist traps
Visiting these places will automatically make it clear that you are a tourist. If you have no problems go ahead, otherwise avoid them.
- Times Square.
- Southeast corner of Central Park.
- Themed restaurants, such as Jekyll and Hyde's or Bubba Gump Shrimp.
- World Trade Center Monument.
- The bull statue on Wall Street.
- Certain Broadway shows, such as Wicked or The Phantom of the Opera.
- The Port Authority.
- Little Italy.
- Rockefeller Plaza.
Step 6. Learn how to deal with other New Yorkers
In general, you have to assume that everyone you meet is in a hurry. Here are some more specific tips:
- If you're looking for an address, most New Yorkers will probably help you out. However, the question should be short and straight to the point.
- Don't look into the eyes or smile at the people you meet on the sidewalk. You will see so many people, and being friendly will soon get tired.
- Ignore street harassment. If someone calls or whistles as you pass, act as if you haven't even noticed. Above all, don't look at abusers.
- Respond right to people who want to get your attention. Don't applaud artists performing in the subway, don't give money to beggars, ignore people handing out flyers.
Step 7. Don't be scared if you see rats or cockroaches
According to an old saying, wherever in New York you are, you are just over three feet from a rat. While this problem may not be that extreme, you will occasionally see these animals on subway platforms. In general, react nonchalantly.
The only exception to this rule is when a rat or cockroach approaches you or your food. If so, shake it out loud (you may naturally be inclined to do so) and require someone to help you get rid of it immediately
Step 8. Don't pull out a map
If you need to get to a certain place, discreetly look at the map on your cell phone or ask a friendly-looking New Yorker. Don't pull out a giant map.
Step 9. Learn the pronunciation
The rules are few, but important.
- Houston Street is pronounced "hau-stan strit", not "hiu-ston strit". "SoHo", or South of Houston Street, is pronounced "so-ho", which rhymes with "no-ho".
- Refer to the neighborhoods in the right way. New York is made up of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. Only the Bronk should be preceded by the article the. For example, you would never say the Staten Island.
- Staten is pronounced "staten", not "steiten".
Step 10. Dress right
Most New Yorkers would never wear an “I love New York” T-shirt, or show off a piece of clothing bought on vacation (for example at Disneyland). You may want to bring black, navy or gray clothing. When it's warmer, white and beige are also good.
Pay attention to the shoes. Particularly in Manhattan, you won't see people with sneakers (too casual) or flip-flops (because the foot comes into contact with the asphalt). Loafers, heels, boots and high sandals are acceptable
Step 11. Don't panic when it comes to crime
New York is significantly safer than in the 1970s and 1980s. However, there are still many places to avoid. Here are some of them:
- Hunts Point.
- Parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant.
- Washington Heights.
- Stapleton.
- South Jamaica.
- Crown Heights.
- Learn the differences between a bad neighborhood and one that just looks like one. You may notice a lot of threatening scenes in the East Village (for example you can meet prostitutes, drug addicts or guys doing graffiti), but you are unlikely to have any problems. Manhattan, in general, is kept under control by law enforcement.
Step 12. Visit Central Park by day
Many New Yorkers spend their lunch break there. Don't go there at night though: crime rates will be even lower in New York, but Central Park, when it's dark, should still be avoided.
Step 13. Become a baseball fan
In the 1950s, when New York had three baseball teams, the fans of each team were generally (but not entirely) characterized by certain demographics. For example, Yankees fans were white, Catholic and from the Bronx, Manhattan or Staten Island. Dodgers fans were Jewish and from Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island. Giants fans were African-Americans from all over the city. Nowadays, Mets fans replace Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants fans (they are their children and grandchildren).
- Even if you don't like baseball, be prepared to talk about it. It is a common topic of conversation between strangers and acquaintances.
- If you talk about it, make sure you don't know that you support the Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs or the Philadelphia Phillies.
Advice
- Never let someone put their feet on your head. You will have a lot of problems if you are unsure of yourself. But remember that others are human too, just like you, they are very busy.
- You'll probably want to take pictures on your vacation, but don't take out your camera too often. Doing so instantly identifies you as a tourist.
