New Yorkers may have a reputation for being tough and rude, but most of us are really very friendly and helpful. Do NOT be afraid to approach us and ask questions or directions. Sometimes New Yorkers are in a hurry or rushing to an appointment, but people will usually stop and point you in the right direction. Since there are 8.3 million New Yorkers that translates into potentially 8.3 million smiling faces (or not) and New York City is a fantastic place for people-watching.
Once you've had a quick lesson in the layout of the City's street grid (see street grid link) and understand that there are both East and West Sides of Manhattan, getting around becomes easier. The City's transportation agency (the Metropolitan Ttansit Authority or MTA) has a great transportation HELP phone number (718-243-7777). You can call this number and say: "I want to go to Battery Park. I'm at Lexington Avenue & 42nd Street, how do I get there?" The MTA representative will tell you. if you have access to a computer, the MTA website is very supportive and user-friendly.
Remember even native New Yorkers occasionally get lost in New York especially on the old, tiny streets of downtown Manhattan and the Village. And some times it's simply difficult to recall which subways goes where. A helpful thing to note about riding the subway is: once inside the train it is better NOT to stand near the subway doors since new passengers at each stop usually rush through the doors. If possible, sit or stand in the middle of the car instead and concentrate on when your stop will be coming up. Usually in non-rush hours, a seat can be found.
Much has been written and said about New Yorkers. In his biography of John Adams, David McCullough notes that the country's first Vice President and future President described New Yorkers as such: "They talk very loud, very fast, and altogether. If they ask you a question, before you can utter three words of your answer, they will break out upon you again -- and talk away."
New Yorkers have also been described as "locomotive people." They also walk fast. Over eight million people live here and in 2007 over 46 million tourists visited. Walking on the hectic sidewalks of New York is truly an art form. Do not walk in bunches: a family of three or four holding hands on the streets does not allow other pedestrians to easily and quickly walk past. Times Square and other popular neighborhoods can be full of people who often create pedestrian-traffic-jams especially in the evening. Be mindful of pedestrian traffic.
Walking here can also be a very interesting, fun and a positive experience. Walks around Battery Park and historic downtown Manhattan or down a quaint and quiet Greenwich Village street are highly recommended. One never knows what kind of old building, church, synagogue or landmark you may stumble upon or what bizarre and fun person might suddenly appear. And, in the Village -- as in all of New York, people watching can be especially fun! Also, buses are a great means of transportation: usually you can find a seat and then you have great views of the City as it passes you by while you travel down Broadway or across town or wherever.
One day fun MetroCards are available for $7 and allow unlimited rides for one day. Unlimited ride MetroCards for seven-days are $24 and a bargain particularly if your visits last longer than two or three days.
The gentleman pictured above -- outside of Mars Bar in the East Village -- was nice enough to take a moment to let me photograph him.
Incidentally, the first known use of the expression "New Yorker" was in a letter of George Washington's in the year 1756.
