New York City. Huh?

S

Scott Free

Joined
Sep 15, 1999
Messages
3,319
The female side of my extended family took a nine hour train ride to New York City. They saw all the touristy stuff from Times Square, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, etc. There were six of them— the youngest was seven. The oldest (my mother) is in her seventies. They just returned a few days ago.

They said that everyone was friendly and helpful. When they were trying to take group photos, business people on the sidewalk would offer, and then take the picture for them. My mom never had to stand on either the subway or ferry. Someone always offered her a seat. My niece was having trouble with her luggage, and someone helped her carry it. Have I been completely wrong about New York City? :confused:
 
No and yes; I grew up in Metro NY and think it is a great place.
Many folks are just as nice as anywhere else in the US. Some visitors mistake hurrying for rudeness. NYC requires you move fast sometimes when you live or work there. NYC has great culture but watch out for the very restrictive laws these days especially in regards to knives and guns.
But I am nor suprised you met a lot of nice folks.
That aside NYC is one of the biggest cities in the world there is danger and crime too.
 
It's a big city. But if a hundred walk past, intent on their own troubles, someone else will push past them to help. I was raised to go out of my way to help, and I especially liked helping tourists. I wanted them to enjoy my City. And it doesn't take much time or effort to lend a hand or show the way.

Some New Yorkers could be brusque but tourists were always friendly. :D
 
Scott Free said:
Have I been completely wrong about New York City? :confused:
Click to expand...

Yes, you have.

No place is without crime. From Hayseed USA to the Big Apple. But the more people you have, the more crime you have.

BUT...

The more people you have, you will have the same percent of good decent people. New York City is no exeption.

I was once leary of NYC. Then the better half and I took a weekend trip to see the Art Of The Motorcycle up there. We made reservations for a hotel room to stay the night, and we had a great time. Toured around after the museum, ate fantastic meals, and everytime we got lost coming out of a Subway tunnel, some local New Yorker would get us going in the right direction. Twice, somebody said they were were going in that direction, and walked us down to the corner to point out the way. I was blown away by the great folks in NYC.

Now, the 'ol lady and me go up there once a month or so just to expperiance the life. Walk or bicycle through Central park on a sunny afternoon, take in a show, have some of the best pizza or corned beef sandwich to be had. We've even had the crazy idea of renting an apartment for a year, to live there part time and get to really know the city.

I'm a native Marylander, but i love New York city!

In the past few years of us going there, never had but one problem, that with a very agressive pan handler, and the treat of a blackthorn stick along side his noggin was enough.

You stand a way better chance being the victim of a violent crime in Birmingham Alabama, or St. Louis Mo. or Los Angles California, Cleveland Ohio, or Flint Michigan.
 
I am a native Minnesotan and I've always found New Yorkers very pleasant to deal with. The thing is, they're more direct than people in, say, the Midwest, and that can be taken as rudeness or brusqueness if you're not used to it.
 
Love it or hate it, there ain't no other place like it on earth.
 
smegs said:
Love it or hate it, there ain't no other place like it on earth.
Click to expand...

I've been crossing the river into NYC since I was a kid. I was convinced it the single greatest city in the world....then I went to Chicago and was completely blown away. Loved it.
 
Ken C. said:
I've been crossing the river into NYC since I was a kid. I was convinced it the single greatest city in the world....then I went to Chicago and was completely blown away. Loved it.
Click to expand...
It's a toddlin town for sure. :D
 
Ken C. said:
I've been crossing the river into NYC since I was a kid. I was convinced it the single greatest city in the world....then I went to Chicago and was completely blown away. Loved it.
Click to expand...

I go to NYC often. I love it. My brother did his grad work at Northwestern (GO CATS!!!). Chicago is a wonderful place. I like Manhattan better, but Chi town is a close second.
 
Next time, tell your mom to rent a vehicle and drive the length of First Avenue at 12 Noon on any weekday. I guarantee you her experience of interaction, cooperation, and kindred citizenship will be vastly different. ;)
 
Are you kidding? They come to see the sights, generally available in a few areas, too much in any given area to see even in one whole day. Why would you want to drive up an avenue, what, just to get stuck in traffic? Tourists don't come to NYC to enjoy the traffic.
 
Yes I was kidding...hence the winkie smilie...but there was also a point, which was that perception is often driven by circumstance.
 
Sure it is, which is why a tourist with any sense goes to Rockefeller Center or South Street Seaport instead of driving nowhere in traffic.
 
I'd go to La Petite Auberge on Lexington Avenue and order the Le Canard Roti à l’Orange.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Sure it is, which is why a tourist with any sense goes to Rockefeller Center or South Street Seaport instead of driving nowhere in traffic.
Click to expand...

I can't even imagine driving in New York City. The one time I was there I got cabs everywhere and that was scary enough!
 
Driving in NYC.

I was walking down Lexington Avenue around 57th Street when I heard a crash directly alongside me. I turned to see a station wagon had rear-ended a nice white sedan. Two young men got out of the sedan and tall thin black man got out of the station wagon. He was smiling but inarticulate. A short round well-dressed black man got out of the back of the station wagon and explained everything.

His driver was a young man from their common home: Haiti. He spoke no English and had just arrived in the US, and the well-dressed gentleman was teaching him to drive so he could drive one of his cabs.

On Lexington Avenue at midday. Bumper to bumper traffic. Crowds of (New York) pedestrians.

Street theater.
 
Driving in NYC is easy. Really it is. Hit the gas, stomp on the break, repeat over and over again. At least the streets run north/south east/west unlike Boston. I would rather drive in NYC than Boston.
 
SkinnyJoe said:
As far as hotels, is one better off with a national chain or something unique and local?
Click to expand...

I have stayed in both. If you have the money, the Waldorf (which now is part of a chain) is really nice. I like the non chain places better, however I have not had a bad experience at the chains. I guess it is all about what you want. The bartender at the Times Square Hilton makes a good Bloody Mary.
 
BA_Colt said:
Driving in NYC is easy. Really it is. Hit the gas, stomp on the break, repeat...
Click to expand...

And never...ever...signal a lane change...it's a sign of weakness...and if you tip your hand you'll be at a disadvantage in the race to the next stop light! ;)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top