20 Tips You Should Know When Visiting NYC
Plan on visiting the Big Apple any time soon? Just remember, it didn’t get its name “the concrete jungle” for no reason. We do things quick around here, it’s how we’ve been raised. We want things done now, and we don’t like waiting. We are living the fast life and expect you to keep up. I’m not saying it’s the right way, but its best to adapt.
These rules are meant for people who have manners, and want to follow the cultural norm, so here goes. Here are 20 tips to follow that are part of normal everyday New York life. They are not mandatory rules, but tips to avoid getting on someone's bad side.
1. Don’t just stop walking. Your not the only person on the street, and you never will be in New York City. There are 8.6 million people living here, be considerate. That selfie could be taken; just pull of to the side. Think of walking in NY like a car on the highway, you don’t want to get rear ended. In places like Times Square - there are people actually rushing to get to work, at least peak over your shoulder to make sure if you suddenly stop your not right in someone’s way.
2. Don’t take up the whole path of a walkway. If you are walking with three or more people, don’t all walk side by side. People need to get passed you! Be considerate.
3. Keep right, especially during rush hour while riding escalators and on stairs . Places like London even have signs all through their subways that say KEEP RIGHT. It’s almost as if it’s yelling at you, but the left lane is normally for people rushing to get somewhere, it’s for the ones that are going to quickly run up the stairs or escalators, and not for those who don’t know where they are going and or walking slow. The right lane is for the snails.
4. Have your metro card ready before getting to the turnstile. When someone is rushing to catch that train the last thing that want is get behind someone blocking the turnstile who can’t find their metro card!
5. Let people out of subways first. Don’t be that person running into the cart before people get off just to get a seat.
6. Subways have rats, don’t panic! You can stare at them and make sure they don’t get anywhere near you, but don’t make a scene. Roaches however are unacceptable.
6. Don't take up more than one seat. Unless you can show me proof of a second fare being paid for your jacket or purse, your belongings don’t get their own seat. NOT EVEN ON THE LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD IS THIS ACCEPTABLE!
7. If you’re going to have a phone conversation accept that others will listen to it, judge you, and 100 percent think you are an inconsiderate person.
8.Nobody wants to hear your music/video/game or any noises from you. We all just want to relax and pretend you're not there.
9.Empty subway carts are usually empty for some reason. Don’t find out what it is.
10. I didn’t think this needed to be said, but it does. Don’t clip your toenails. It’s gross. Don’t even clip your nails, even if your putting the clippings nicely somewhere.
11. Give up your seat to the elderly, pregnant women, and children! I can’t believe how many times I see young men try so hard to turn a blind eye to the elderly or pregnant women.
12. No man spreading. That's when you leave your legs wide open and make the person next to you squished and uncomfortable.
13. Netflix has a rumored Human resource policy that we should all adapt to, no staring at someone for more than two seconds. It just makes the other person uncomfortable.
14. Don’t smell offensive. Think about what you ate, or what you have been doing. If you just got done going all out playing basketball in 90 degree weather chances are you smell bad. Try to avoid being next to people especially in tight confinements.
15. Unless someone is right behind you, don’t hold the doors. If you are keeping anyone from getting where they need to get for more than a minute, you’re going to be on someone’s shit list. You’ve been warned!
16. Tipping is 100 percent a thing, and the norm is 18 - 20 percent.
17. Apologize! If you accidentally bump into or step on someone, just say sorry. I know we have a reputation of being mean, but we definitely soften up a bit with a polite excuse me or sorry.
18. The people in costumes in Times Square/Battery Park can not force you to pay a certain price for a picture! You can give them whatever you want, and just stay away from fake Buddhists asking for money.
19. If it's safe to cross the street, cross it regardless of the street signs.
20. Some of the greatest people on earth are here in New York, so don’t be scared of us. Just be aware and have some common sense!
Visiting New York is definitely a dream for many people, just keep these rules in mind and enjoy the city that never sleeps!