How the fairytale of New York can become a nightmare
Dec 28th, 2014, 11:15 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How the fairytale of New York can become a nightmare
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-30512986
Among the gems in the article (written by someone who grew up in western NY):
"The city's rudeness is of course legendary, but what really sets it apart is its completely unapologetic nature. Actually it's even more than that. New Yorkers are proud of being brash, loud, and offensive. They like it."
"New Yorkers have no room in their minds for the possibility of failure.
You see, Londoners are all too aware of their city's shortcomings - they would tell you all about the horror of transport, of house prices, of winter, if they ever deign to speak to you.
But New Yorkers do not have the will to contemplate the goal not reached. They cannot even countenance the possibility that their city is not the centre of - well the world is too small - the universe is more like it.
They are special and they will win. Theirs is a perverse version of the doctrine of American exceptionalism, both writ as big as the Empire State Building, and shrunk from a whole continent down to five boroughs."
"Now, I know that writing this piece is futile because of all the world's unfeeling cities, New York is the most unfeelingest."
Among the gems in the article (written by someone who grew up in western NY):
"The city's rudeness is of course legendary, but what really sets it apart is its completely unapologetic nature. Actually it's even more than that. New Yorkers are proud of being brash, loud, and offensive. They like it."
"New Yorkers have no room in their minds for the possibility of failure.
You see, Londoners are all too aware of their city's shortcomings - they would tell you all about the horror of transport, of house prices, of winter, if they ever deign to speak to you.
But New Yorkers do not have the will to contemplate the goal not reached. They cannot even countenance the possibility that their city is not the centre of - well the world is too small - the universe is more like it.
They are special and they will win. Theirs is a perverse version of the doctrine of American exceptionalism, both writ as big as the Empire State Building, and shrunk from a whole continent down to five boroughs."
"Now, I know that writing this piece is futile because of all the world's unfeeling cities, New York is the most unfeelingest."
Dec 28th, 2014, 01:07 PM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another native New Yorker-"Ditto!"
Actually, for the first time, I just spent 2 nights in hotels off Times Square, seeing Broadway shows, going to museums, doing touristy things. I loved it-the total excitement of so many foreigners enjoying everything about the city was really intoxicating. Looking at my city through tourist's eyes was a blast. I'm sorry I waited so long to spend time in my own city. I will be back and soon! Don't listen to that article, New York is for everyone. If you can't have a good time here, you'll never have a good time.
Actually, for the first time, I just spent 2 nights in hotels off Times Square, seeing Broadway shows, going to museums, doing touristy things. I loved it-the total excitement of so many foreigners enjoying everything about the city was really intoxicating. Looking at my city through tourist's eyes was a blast. I'm sorry I waited so long to spend time in my own city. I will be back and soon! Don't listen to that article, New York is for everyone. If you can't have a good time here, you'll never have a good time.
Dec 28th, 2014, 01:44 PM
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can only assume this came from someone who found NY too challenging.
We are not rude we are busy - but will often take time out to help travelers.
As for being proud of our city - absolutely!
Why should we be self-denigrating? This is a trait valued in the UK but NOT in the US. What's wrong with being proud of what you have accomplished? To constantly belittle oneself argues either a massive inferiority complex or a constant desire for praise from others. (Oh poor little me, we have bad weather and the city is not so great - sorry - you need to do your own ego boosting.)
We are not rude we are busy - but will often take time out to help travelers.
As for being proud of our city - absolutely!
Why should we be self-denigrating? This is a trait valued in the UK but NOT in the US. What's wrong with being proud of what you have accomplished? To constantly belittle oneself argues either a massive inferiority complex or a constant desire for praise from others. (Oh poor little me, we have bad weather and the city is not so great - sorry - you need to do your own ego boosting.)
Dec 28th, 2014, 03:53 PM
#5
Fun article by a native New Yorker! Thanks for the link.
An hour after landing at the airport - having gone through security with the normal people - I'd been barked at by a pizza chef, a taxi driver, a guy selling bus tickets, and some random woman crossing the street.
The city's rudeness is of course legendary, but what really sets it apart is its completely unapologetic nature. Actually it's even more than that. New Yorkers are proud of being brash, loud, and offensive. They like it.
Yep.
And it's fun to experience. Also good to leave it behind and appreciate "home" more, no matter where home might be. Even western NY state.
An hour after landing at the airport - having gone through security with the normal people - I'd been barked at by a pizza chef, a taxi driver, a guy selling bus tickets, and some random woman crossing the street.
The city's rudeness is of course legendary, but what really sets it apart is its completely unapologetic nature. Actually it's even more than that. New Yorkers are proud of being brash, loud, and offensive. They like it.
Yep.
And it's fun to experience. Also good to leave it behind and appreciate "home" more, no matter where home might be. Even western NY state.
Dec 28th, 2014, 06:32 PM
#6
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When you're the big dog, you gotta expect pot shots. We are unapologetic as the intention of this piece is to contrarian.
The funny thing about NY'er, they will agree with you when you say something that they too is wrong with their city.
The funny thing about NY'er, they will agree with you when you say something that they too is wrong with their city.
Dec 28th, 2014, 07:19 PM
#9
"The author is a native New Yorker."
No, a native New York State resident. Western New York has little in common with the metropolitan region.
The author is dead wrong on a few things. New Yorkers constantly gripe about the city, especially the transportation system: late, cold, hot, smelly dirty, crowded etc.
If you live here more than a few weeks you'll gripe about our supermarkets as well.
I'd trade a dozen New York bars for one true English pub.
But yes, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind demands that we acknowledge that we, with London, are the most important cities in the world, at present.
In his last couple of paragraphs he gets it right. New York draws the ambitious in many fields. Many of us fail, or settle for a success less than we'd hoped, but the next crop is right behind, and eventually something glorious (or ghastly) ensues.
No, a native New York State resident. Western New York has little in common with the metropolitan region.
The author is dead wrong on a few things. New Yorkers constantly gripe about the city, especially the transportation system: late, cold, hot, smelly dirty, crowded etc.
If you live here more than a few weeks you'll gripe about our supermarkets as well.
I'd trade a dozen New York bars for one true English pub.
But yes, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind demands that we acknowledge that we, with London, are the most important cities in the world, at present.
In his last couple of paragraphs he gets it right. New York draws the ambitious in many fields. Many of us fail, or settle for a success less than we'd hoped, but the next crop is right behind, and eventually something glorious (or ghastly) ensues.
Dec 28th, 2014, 07:35 PM
#11
"No, a native New York State resident. "
So, you're saying that "New Yorker" only applies to those from NYC?
Would that be Manhattan or all five boroughs?
"Western New York has little in common with the metropolitan region."
No one is disputing that.
So, you're saying that "New Yorker" only applies to those from NYC?
Would that be Manhattan or all five boroughs?
"Western New York has little in common with the metropolitan region."
No one is disputing that.
Dec 28th, 2014, 08:21 PM
#13
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If NY'ers were rude, the streets would littered with dead tourists.
We are not a smiling bunch. It is hard to say "Howdy" to 8 million people. As my niece said after living in LA for a few months, "In LA everyone smiles and says hello but if you fell down, no one would help you. In NY, no one smiles or says hello but if you fell down, a crowd would rush over to help.
We have our body language and unwritten rules of behavior. If you want someone who is outwardly friendly, go to Grandma's. If you want some place that is perfectly clean go to a computer chip factory. But if you want to be in the most vibrant 24 hour city in the world, the center of such diverse activities as art and finance, where 475 languages are spoken, and the people care, but not like you do, I know a good place for you.
We are not a smiling bunch. It is hard to say "Howdy" to 8 million people. As my niece said after living in LA for a few months, "In LA everyone smiles and says hello but if you fell down, no one would help you. In NY, no one smiles or says hello but if you fell down, a crowd would rush over to help.
We have our body language and unwritten rules of behavior. If you want someone who is outwardly friendly, go to Grandma's. If you want some place that is perfectly clean go to a computer chip factory. But if you want to be in the most vibrant 24 hour city in the world, the center of such diverse activities as art and finance, where 475 languages are spoken, and the people care, but not like you do, I know a good place for you.
Dec 28th, 2014, 09:44 PM
#14
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 26,390
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"New Yorkers are proud of being brash, loud, and offensive. They like it."
Being brash, loud and (what someone else may deem) offensive. Isn't necessarily rude. There's nothing wrong with telling someone when they are going the wrong way, standing in the wrong place or otherwise doing something offensive.
What is offensive is to let them keep being a jerk (often without realizing it) and not stopping them.
For instance, when a couple is riding an escalator side by side and blocking the people who want to walk up the escalator quickly; isn't it rude not to tell them they are blocking traffic?
Being brash, loud and (what someone else may deem) offensive. Isn't necessarily rude. There's nothing wrong with telling someone when they are going the wrong way, standing in the wrong place or otherwise doing something offensive.
What is offensive is to let them keep being a jerk (often without realizing it) and not stopping them.
For instance, when a couple is riding an escalator side by side and blocking the people who want to walk up the escalator quickly; isn't it rude not to tell them they are blocking traffic?
Dec 30th, 2014, 04:21 AM
#16
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting article... There are connections in NYC, many shared by every place in the US, that aren't very obvious, & some people just don't get. It's not picture-book, it's very much alive. There is plenty I don't like about NYC, yet I never tire of going there.
Dec 30th, 2014, 05:07 AM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I live in a small suburb in Okalhoma. I was terrified my first visit to NYC. Once there I found the people friendly, helpful and kind...unless of course I forgot for a moment that I was in NYC and I stopped on the sidewalk for a moment...those folks will run you down LOL!!!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hank
United States
132
Sep 26th, 2006 12:19 PM
