nycandlove blog

The first part of this series turned out to be surprisingly popular and because the list of things tourists do to infuriate New Yorkers is endless I figured why not write a follow up.

Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk

In big cities like New York where most people don’t own cars and navigate the city on foot the sidewalk is our equivalent of a highway, which means if you want to stop to check your map or take a photo you need to pull over. If you suddenly stop there’s a chance you’ll get something spilled all over you by a now irate New Yorker.

Imagine if you suddenly slammed on the breaks while driving in the fast lane of the highway. Well guess what, that’s the same as stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, just with a little less head trauma and a lot less death.

One of the things you quickly learn to do in New York is multitask whilst walking, for example most can respond to a BBM without looking at their phone, or for some seasoned professionals even taking it out of their pocket.

Know your bearing

Nothing shouts newbie like someone who steps out of the subway into the sunlight and stands around trying to figure out which way is north. Every New Yorker knows which way north is at all times, even if they’re underground.

Going downtown on the 6 train? Well that means you’re heading south. If you were to get off the train at 33rd street then you’d be facing west, and when you go up the stairs you’re facing north. Simple!

New Yorkers do this subconsciously at all times, no matter where they are.

I <3 New York T-Shirts

I don’t know anyone, especially anyone female, who’d be caught dead wearing one of these. We know you love New York, it’s why you moved here. In fact everyone loves New York… with the exception of Los Angelians who love spending their lives in their cars using drive through ATMs.

Umbrella Etiquette

Maybe it’s just me but there’s definitely a difference in the way people use their umbrellas in touristy parts of the city. Walking down Canal Street or trying to navigate Times Square in the rain always a challenge, maybe people aren’t used to the rain or they think they need to buy an extra large umbrella for the ferocious New York rain they read so much about, who knows.

I’d chalk it up to standard human behavior, but walking up 6th Ave on a rainy Monday morning is so different. People with compact umbrellas, weaving in and out of each others way like ballerinas. It’s almost… poetic.

As a New Yorker you’re going to have a symbiotic relationship with your umbrella because you’re going to be spending a depressing amount of time under one. It’s going to become an extension of your arm, your shield and occasional weapon.

Have you just moved to New York? What habits have you picked up since moving here?