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Tourists Give New Yorkers Etiquette Tips
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 22, 2011
Modified Sep 22, 2011
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 22, 2011
Modified Sep 22, 2011
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Original photo via O217's flickr
We've seen what some New Yorkers have to say about tourist etiquette, but what about the other way around? The tourists put lots of money into our city's pockets, so we might as well hear them out. We've rounded up some former NYC tourists, from Amsterdam to New Jersey and beyond—and they have a few etiquette tips (and observations) of their own:
- Don't walk so fast!
- Don't roll your eyes at me when I pronounce "Houston" Street like the city in Texas.
- Don't say I'm stupid for calling the subways by colors.
- Don't tell me I'm dumb for eating at the Olive Garden—I love breadsticks!
- Slow down! There is always such a rush at the restaurants... as soon as somebody is done with eating they take away the plate, even if other people at the table are still eating.
- At least make eye contact while “clinking glasses”!
- Stop talking about how you live in the greatest city in the world. We get it.
- Don't cycle so fast in the bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge while I am trying to capture the skyline.
- My advice would be, like here in Amsterdam, be proud of your city not only towards your neighbor but also to outsiders—just to show your hospitality. Allow us to ask for directions as we will do the same for you when you come over.
- Explain to us why the tipping in restaurants etc is the way it is in stead of getting angry if we tip less than you are used to.
- Say thank you if someone holds the door open for you. Also, while we're on the subject, if you see me struggling with my bags and my coffee maybe wait the extra five seconds to hold the door open for me. I will even thank you for it!
- Tell me where to buy counterfeit purses.
- Give me correct directions... New Yorkers have too much pride, if you ask for directions and they don't really know the answer, they will make something up rather than saying, "Sorry, I'm not sure."
Got all that? Now here are some further observations about how we act—take a nice long look in the mirror, New York City:
- My experience with New Yorkers is that they differ from each area. If you're walking downtown for instance everyone is really in a work mode and not very accessible. The same applies on 5th Avenue. A lot of people walking around with their headsets on just as if they want to say: "not listening and don't ask me anything."
- People will make any excuse to have a drink with any meal in New York—from happy hours to brunches.
- New Yorkers are very exact on how you handle escalators. If you're standing the entire time you get in the line on the right side of the escalator, leaving a clear open isle on the left side so people can walk up faster.
Think we can all get along now, or do we need to make more tourist lanes?
Tagged
etiquette
listicle
tourist
tourists
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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