Manhattan street etiquettes
Apr 24th, 2007, 07:07 AM
#21
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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 many times a week, 365 days a year, and have never had a driver complain that he's pointed in the wrong direction. Never.
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 & cabs are scarce, catch any one you can, regardless of the direction it's pointed.
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 many times a week, 365 days a year, and have never had a driver complain that he's pointed in the wrong direction. Never.
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 & cabs are scarce, catch any one you can, regardless of the direction it's pointed.
Apr 24th, 2007, 07:24 AM
#22
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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.
Apr 24th, 2007, 08:02 AM
#26
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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!
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!
Apr 24th, 2007, 08:23 AM
#28
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GoTravel, I'm with you there. 
A friend of mine who travels with me to NYC used to always say, "You can't cross, the light's red!" Now she is in the habit of watching traffic rather than the lights, too.
A friend of mine who travels with me to NYC used to always say, "You can't cross, the light's red!" Now she is in the habit of watching traffic rather than the lights, too.
Apr 24th, 2007, 08:39 AM
#29
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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.
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.
Apr 24th, 2007, 08:58 AM
#31
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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 "stop right at the corner so you can't pass"; the "walk 5 across, slowly, taking pictures while talking on phone, texting and reading map"; and, the "wait until the light is red in order to cross even though there is no traffic coming". Please, please, please, please just move over and do what you have to do. Don't even get me started with Christmas time....
Apr 24th, 2007, 09:03 AM
#32
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Just based on people's behaviour in the grocery store, movie concessions, etc., lines, where you would expect most people to be "locals," 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!
Apr 24th, 2007, 09:08 AM
#34
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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.
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.
Apr 24th, 2007, 09:34 AM
#36
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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 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.
Apr 24th, 2007, 09:56 AM
#37
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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.
Apr 24th, 2007, 10:02 AM
#38
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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.
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.
Apr 24th, 2007, 10:03 AM
#39
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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.
