Manhattan street etiquettes
 

The weather was gorgeous and I swear I felt like there were about 2 million out-of-towners in my neighborhood (soho) this past weekend. Also I saw a visiting couple who encountered a very common – and to me very acceptable – taxi driver treatment but they were completely caught off guard. So thought I'd start this thread and hopefully other Manhattanites can add to it. I'm often a visitor to other cities too and wouldn't mind if those locals tell me about some of their street etiquettes.

- First, the taxi misunderstanding...this couple was trying to flag down a cab. They saw many cabs went by with their lights on and didn't stop. One finally did, driver asked where they were headed, it wasn't on his way, so he said no and took off. The couple was appalled and started saying how NY cabbies are all so rude. So I explained to them what happened - all the cabs they saw with lights on actually had the off-duty light on as well. They did't stop b/c they were off duty, most likely speeding off to deliver the cab to another driver scheduled for the next shift. Sometimes they may stop to check if you're headed the same way, in that case they can take you. The said couple assumed the driver was being selective and hence rude. In reality, his off-duty light was on, and taking the couple to another part of town would probably cause him to be late in returning the cab. So visitors, remember, when only the middle light is on, the cab is free. When the side lights are also on, it is off duty and the driver is under no obligation to stop.

- When you're getting off a subway train, there is an unspoken rule to let people getting on the train pass the turnstile first. B/c the train is right there, and if you get in on-coming passengers' way, they may have to wait another 5-10 mins for the next train. Whereas if you step aside to let them pass first, you'll only have to wait like 5 seconds. Hate to admit it but I have in more than one occasion yelled at tourists who are standing at the exiting turnstile with their map open and blocking me from catching my train. Same applies even if you are getting on a train yourself. if you're not sure if this is the right train, please step aside and not block other people from getting on.

- Remind yourself not to walk on the street in a row of 3/4/5 or god forbid 6 people. I understand that many visitors don't come from walking cities so they may not realize they are hogging the entire pedestrain surface in steps often 5 times slower than a hurried local. But you do have highways at home, yes? Just imagine if 5 cars line up in a row going 30 miles an hr and blocking all other cars from passing. Yes it's exactly like that.

- One more: when walking in the middle of the street, don't stop abruptly to fetch maps, look at pictures on your camera or whatever that may give you a sense of urgency to stop. Again, this is exactly like if a car stops in the middle of a highway without warning. Step to the side first before you stop.

OK getting off soapbox... I hope everyone visiting NY this summer will have an amazing time!

Hmmm...

What about when you get off the subway heading to Metro North...how long should I stand at the turnstile, letting people go through before I push my way through to make my train?

Just wondering. ;)

:)

I would like to ask you about cabs.

I was in your neighborhood during the awful weather you had in February.

The shuttle failed to pick me up for my trip to LGA. So I, suitcase in hand made my way to 6th Ave to hail a cab.

I was very grateful when one stopped even before I had a chance to hail one.

Evidently, the passenger encouraged this. She probably took pity on me.

Anyway, she and I were both going to LGA but to different airlines.

Upon arrival at her terminal I asked her if she wanted to split the fare. She said no, she would pay the whole thing. She also tipped $5.

At the next terminal, I gave the driver an additional $10.

He was very unhappy with me saying that he had saved me all of the money and basically I was cheating him.

Can you give me some insight into what I did wrong? I ended up giving him an additional $7, but he still was not happy.

Was I expected to pay again?

With all the subway talk, what about the people who stop on the stairs to a subway to check the map and addresses of where they're going so nobody can past them -- up or down?

I was always taught to stay to the right to go "up" the stairs and left to go "down" the stairs. It's just a free-for-all!!

Hee, hee. Seetheworld, think about what you just said. If all the people going up the stairs were on the right and all the people going down the stairs were on their left, then they'd all run into each other!!!

I'm hoping you meant to keep to the right going up or down the stairs.

Good tips, flatfeet, although I doubt anyone can put an end to the old "stand stock still in the middle of (fill in the blank) while checking map, or digging in a bag, or staring in confusion all around"--it's the universal tourist affliction!

Absolutely NewbE. Then we have the added attraction in San Antonio of being pushed into the river when people insist on walking 4 abreast, oblivious to others. :) The Joys of living in a tourist destination, wherever it might be.

OO, this probably constitutes hijacking a perfectly good thread, but the tourist hazard I recall most vividly was in Monterey. The brisk winter walks we enjoyed along the water turned, every summer, into a terror-stricken flight from tourists in those rented pedal-power surreys, pedaling hell for leather like they'd been shot out of a cannon! Good times...

Seetheworld, I imagine most often it only takes a few seconds (10 sec tops) to wait for everyone entering the turnstile to pass through. I mean the train door doesn't stay open longer than 10 secs I don't think, so when the door closes, it's free game.

Sher, your cabby was just plain greedy! You did nothing wrong.

The sidewalks <i>are</i> our highways. Block traffic and you <i>will</i> get a &quot;honk.&quot;

And, please, for the love of all things holy, <b>no golf umbrellas</b>.

Thanks flatfeet.

I know I must look like a dumb tourist.

I was grateful that he picked me up, it was miserable trying to drag that case through the slush.

I will be more assertive next time.

hehehe. :D

I was looking &quot;Up&quot; the stairs in my mind. My tired mind. :)

Please take the ginormous backpacks off during rush hour on the subway!

The stopping at the top of the steps at the subway makes me crazy!

The letting the person through the turnstile before you exit the station is HIGHLY dependant on which station. If you tried to pull this at the 1st Avenue L stop, you would be trampled by the 500 people coming up the stairs behind you. I think this move really applies in less crowded stations when the train stops literally on the other side of the turnstile.

The backpacks on the subway train is something that plenty of natives are guilty of. I usually have more complaints with oblivious business men in the morning than w/ tourists on the subway. A few of my complaints:

I may be 5'2&quot;, but my head is not an armrest.

I know you want to to read the WSJ, but do you really have to make me eat it on a crowded train?

Do you have to sit with your knees so far apart? I doubt your anatomy is so substantial that it precludes keeping your knees together.

NewbE, hijack away. Would love to hear about how to be street smart in other cities.

lizzie, agree. I'm definitely thinking more about stations where you can see the train from the turnstile which include many of the stations tourists use. They're less likely to use the 1st ave L stop I believe.

A friend who is a NY cabbie explained the 'off duty' situation to me. According to the rules, when a cabbie goes off duty, he or she actually notes this in the next space on their trip sheet. After this point, they are only allowed to accept one more fare and it should be in the direction they are traveling, probably back to the garage.

Regarding the trip sheet, it is considered an important reference document that should be created accurately in pen, without changing info once entered--no erasures or cross-outs.

Technically, when you first get in a cab, your pickup point should be entered. Your destination should not be entered until you reach it, just in case you change your mind along the way. (However, I've hardly ever seen a cabbie NOT record the destination at the beginning of the trip . . .) This is another reason a cabbie might seem a bit annoyed when you DO change your destination--he or she jumped the gun and entered your original destination too soon and now must make a mess of the trip sheet.

In all honesty we really do love having visitors here in New York, but during the summer especially it gets difficult on the streets with ALL the people trying to get to work and site see all at the same time.

My pet peeve, is crossing the street at busy corners, it seems that visitors seem not to understand that they are IN THE WAY when they gather right on the corner. I've actually told people they would get mowed down if they continued to stand there.

Sidewalk space is limited and we're all trying to get somewhere, just please be a bit more aware that we all have to share the space.

I was told years ago that you should always hail a cab in New York going in the right direction. In other words don't stand on northbound 8th Avenue if you want to go to Soho. You may get a taxi that is going off duty and won't turn, or maybe get a driver who has some other reason he doesn't want to go the opposite direction.

And Patrick, your point is particularly good to remembmer at around 5PM, when many cabbies are going off duty and many people are seeking cabs. You can often get a ride from an off-duty cab if you're headed in the right direction.

In my vast experience the wrong-direction thing is not a concern.

Of course it makes sense to catch a cab heading in the direction you're going, but there's no need to walk from 7th to 8th for example ... the north/south blocks are so short, it's no big deal for a cab to turn east or west.

I ride in cabs <i>many</i> times a week, 365 days a year, and have <i>never</i> had a driver complain that he's pointed in the wrong direction. <i>Never.</i>

Of course, you do lessen your chances of lucking into an off duty cab, given that on average the off duty vehicle will be pointed towards home. (I'd guess that when an off duty stops to ask where I'm going, I end up in that cab about 50% of the time.)

Bottom line: If it's busy &amp; cabs are scarce, catch any one you can, regardless of the direction it's pointed.

lizziea06 - heh. I liked your subway rant, especially when it comes to the newspaper. I've been known to read the newspaper on the subway (well, where I live we call it the 'el'), but only when I get a seat AND I know how to fold it properly. If you are are going to read the newspaper on the subway, learn that 'subway fold' and don't shove it in my face. Thanks! Oh, and yes, close your legs. Have you no shame? Right, I thought not.

Crossing the street I never ever read the sign. I only watch the traffic.

Having graduated from college in NYC and driven a school bus for Riverdale Country Day School in the mid 60's, always thought that intrinsic, lol.
M

Yes, but you have to admit that knowing the sign helps in interpreting the traffic.

It drives me crazy when people stop in the subway turnstile to look for their tokens.

Also, people who stop at the top or bottom of the escalator (in subways, stores, etc.) and look around trying to decide which way they want to go.

And, people who are in line at a fast food place or the movie theatre concession line and wait till they get up to the counter to make a looooonnnnggg decision about what they want. There's five items on the menu, poeple! Give some thought to it before you get there!

I'd imagine they'd be looking for their tokens for a long time. Like forever.

GoTravel, I'm with you there. ;) A friend of mine who travels with me to NYC used to always say, &quot;You can't cross, the light's red!&quot; Now she is in the habit of watching traffic rather than the lights, too.

Yup, well, it sure as heck is a long time when my train is in the station, and my token is in my hand, and it's rush hour, and there's a dozen people in line behind me also wanting to get on that train, and the person blocking the turnstile is rummaging in her purse when she could have been finding for her token as she was coming down the stairs, and...and...and...

I guess all those people must be from places where public transportation doesn't exist and they didn't realize they'd have to pay for the ride.

When you live in a big, busy city, there are little courtesies that just make life a little easier for everyone.

marylin, only on busy two way streets.

Otherwise, I've seen people close to getting hit from watching the WALK sign when a car was trying to run the light.

Tokens? Anyway.... I agree with all comments stated thus far. I work at 30 Rock. You can only imagine my distress with tourists -- at least the ones that do the &quot;stop right at the corner so you can't pass&quot;; the &quot;walk 5 across, slowly, taking pictures while talking on phone, texting and reading map&quot;; and, the &quot;wait until the light is red in order to cross even though there is no traffic coming&quot;. Please, please, please, please just move over and do what you have to do. Don't even get me started with Christmas time....

Just based on people's behaviour in the grocery store, movie concessions, etc., lines, where you would expect most people to be &quot;locals,&quot; I can't think this is only a tourist problem, but I agree, EXTREMELY maddening to have people STILL trying to decide what to order when at the front of the food line, or rummaging for tokens to pay, or their checkbook or credit card at the grocery store!

I have a MTA subway token on my key chain.

They were always great surseys to bring back for everyone from NYC.

Good post - good chance for me to vent a bit. Many of these grievances are caused not just by tourists, though. Residents are often equally culpable.

1) When the subway train doors open and you are on the train by the opening door, step into the train, or at least step away from the center of the door. I hate when you have someone that won't move (often with his back to you) and people can't get on.

2) (associated with no. 1) On a crowded train, step into the train as far as you can. I absolutely hate when there is a crowd by the door prohibiting you from getting on the train but, when you look into the train, there is plenty of free room in the middle.

3) Wait until the train is at a stop to get up from your seat if there are people standing in front of you. Often people sitting think that they are going to miss their stop so get up while the train is in motion, while I'm in front of them hanging on to the bar. It forces me to let go and move aside so that they can get by. On some of the trains, letting go at the wrong time can be either quite dangerous or, at a minimum, embarassing as you stumble about. Wait until the train stops to get up. I guarantee you won't miss your stop.

4) Leaning up against the vertical center bar when the train is crowded. Dude - people need to hold onto that bar.

5) Stealing cabs. I know. It's New York and often cabs are a tough commodity to come by. It's a dog-eat-dog city and you need to be on your toes and aggressive to get a cab. Fine. But when I'm waiting ten minutes for a cab and then someone shoots out of a building in front of me and steals one right in front of me it's obnoxious. At least take a look around you to see if other people have been waiting for a cab before you snag it. If there are people there, choose another corner or wait until the next cab comes.

Okay - I'm done for now. That helped.

Can you hear me clapping loudly for you Jarred????

Escalators in big department stores - esp at holiday time - are one of my pet peeves. So often people take one step off and stop - not realizing they're about to be trampled by the 30 other people right behind them.

I know Macy's has facilitators at the top and bottom of some - if you don;t step right away they guide you off by the arm. But - they have them only on the bottom few floor. By the time you get to 5 and above it's every man for himself. And I know someday someone will fall over an idiot who doesn;t move out of the way - and someone behind him/her will be caught in the steps.

New York is really easy to negotiate - just realize there are a LOT of people all doing the same thing - and you need to move quickly. If you have to stop - for any reason - pull over to the side.

I was in midtown last week (hate it) and realized that the tourists downtown are much better behaved! I think the wide midtown streets encourage them to spread out and stop paying attention. Down here they seem to huddle together away from the corners. I find that the door and turnstile blockers are always people that live here.

How about the reverse too? When you are trying to get off the train and people coming on won't move to the side to let you off. Technically you have to move before I can get off to let you on genius.

Also I hate it when people don't have their bus fare/metrocard out. I ALWAYS put my bus fare in my pocket/get out my metrocard WAY before I get to the bus/train. You know you're going to use it, get it ready.

Also someone mentioned they had never heard of cabbies not taking you if you're headed in the north direction and want to go south/vice versa.. Go to 22nd street at 5pm, stand at 5th avenue and ask to go north. It won't happen, trust me.

Hmmm. Interesting downtown/midtown observation. It could also have something to do with where the tourists are going. Many of them are probably either going to or coming from the WTC site. The experience, I think, would naturally make people more considerate of others.

**The experience, I think, would naturally make people more considerate of others.**

I almost spit coffee on the screen but I guess that's too cynical of me!