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Some NYC tourists are great, but others haven’t a clue on the workings of the big city. So here’s an open letter to anyone planning a visit to the Big Apple, in the hopes that they will take the hint and learn how we do things in Manhattan BEFORE they get here:
Dear New York City Tourists,
Thank you for choosing to visit our city and for spending your vacation dollars at our many mom-and-pop and small and large businesses. We truly appreciate that you love our city as much as we do and we hope you continue to come back often.
However, we need to talk.
New York City is unlike most any city in the country, or even the world. So, there are a few things no one told you before you came here that you really need to know about our city:
1.) Despite popular belief, NYC is NOT Disneyland. Yes, I know with all the costumed bums dressed as Elmo or the Statue of Liberty in Times Square who make tax-free bucks off of you paying them for a photo, because you “think” they work there (they don’t), it’s easy to mistake our little city for an urban “Never-Never Land.” But it is not. New York is actually a real city, where real people live. So please remember: just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean everyone else is too!
2.) Unlike Des Moines, Iowa, Flagstaff, Arizona, or wherever you’re visiting from, New Yorkers don’t have the luxury you do of getting into their car, driving to their location, then parking conveniently in a huge parking lot near work or the store. Um, no. In New York, we use a combination of public transportation (subways and buses) and good, old-fashioned walking. So when you decide to take a casual stroll from your hotel at 4:50pm, please be aware that there are literally MILLIONS of New Yorkers who are racing to get home from work on foot, so please — GET OUT OF THE WAY! (This also applies to around 7pm when the hundreds of Broadway performers in NYC are trying to get to their jobs and theaters to entertain YOU.)
3.) In case you haven’t noticed, New York City is crowded. VERY CROWDED! Just take a look at the hundreds of cars criss-crossing each other on the streets, or the sidewalks brimming with pedestrians, hot dog vendors, as well as trash loaded up near the curb (sorry, we don’t have alleys in Manhattan). Back in Utah, you can leisurely walk at whatever pace your little heart desires down almost any sidewalk, since just about everyone else is driving and likely not walking behind you. But you simply cannot do that in NYC. Walking slow on a NYC street is the equivalent of driving 20 MPH on a highway — you’re blocking progress. In NYC, brisk is better. So, think of sidewalks like you think of streets and highways and KEEP IT MOVIN’!
4.) As a “piggy-back” to #3, the next time you, your spouse, grandma and grandpa and all the kids decide to visit us here in NY, please don’t walk side-by-side while holding hands — because you’re BLOCKING PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC! This also applies to when you stop in the middle of the sidewalk to take a group photo, read a map, send a text, or whatever else you do when you’re here. Again, this is a real and functioning city with people who are racing to get to where they need to go. The sidewalk is often our only thoroughfare (except for those NY’ers you’ve forced to have to walk in the streets just to get around you.) So, stand to one side, or walk in single file instead of acting as if you’re the defensive line of the NY Giants and blocking the entire sidewalk with the whole family, the baby stroller, and grandma on a walker.
5.). Husbands, wives, boyfriends and girlfriends: we understand that you’re in love and we congratulate you on that being just beautiful. However, do you REALLY have to hold hands (as widely as possible) while traversing the streets of New York? Your hand holding, however beautiful, is like us walking down a major highway carrying a 6 foot by 6 foot fence. Imagine the hoards of people that fence would block, and you’ll know the number of people you’re blocking every time you hold your sweetie’s hand on the sidewalks of NYC. Unless you’re holding the hand of a child or an elderly person who’d be unable to make it without your assistance, save the hand holding for when you’re back at the hotel and not obstructing progress!
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OK…Where ya at, New Yorkers? Did these 5 points cover your greatest concerns?? Please chime in with anything that we missed. Happy Hump Day!
I've never been to NYC, but I will be sure to have these rules in mind when I do. I live in San Francisco and even though it's much much smaller in size and population, I think many of the same rules apply especially the holding hands and walking in groups. One I would add is think of walking as driving a car, traffic goes both ways on a road and the same goes for walking etiquette. Don't go against the current and please, please look where your walking.