New York City "un" tourist
#41
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Kelly,
Your stereotype of "grating accents...sound so uneducated" is way off. Everyone who lives here knows that people who live in Manhattan don't have the "accent" because most people who live here did not grow up here! My Manhattanite friends are from Baltimore, England, South Africa, England, Boston, New Jersey, and Ohio, among other places. Not a single one was born in Manhattan. The "grating accents" you are referring to (I assume you mean like "the Nanny") belong more to the Long Island and Outer Boroughs (Brooklyn, Staten Island, etc.) crowd. And I find them quite endearing. Much better than the Chicaaago accent ;-)
Your stereotype of "grating accents...sound so uneducated" is way off. Everyone who lives here knows that people who live in Manhattan don't have the "accent" because most people who live here did not grow up here! My Manhattanite friends are from Baltimore, England, South Africa, England, Boston, New Jersey, and Ohio, among other places. Not a single one was born in Manhattan. The "grating accents" you are referring to (I assume you mean like "the Nanny") belong more to the Long Island and Outer Boroughs (Brooklyn, Staten Island, etc.) crowd. And I find them quite endearing. Much better than the Chicaaago accent ;-)
#42
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Taking a family vacation to NYC in June with our 6 year old son. Can't wait!!
Reading through this link I need help! What shoes would be appropriate in June for the miles we love to walk in NYC? If I'll stand out as a tourist in my white walking shoes???!!!! Are any type of sandals or slides ever acceptable/appropriate in the big city... I mean it'll be JUNE. The idea of wearing black shoes sounds HOT.
Reading through this link I need help! What shoes would be appropriate in June for the miles we love to walk in NYC? If I'll stand out as a tourist in my white walking shoes???!!!! Are any type of sandals or slides ever acceptable/appropriate in the big city... I mean it'll be JUNE. The idea of wearing black shoes sounds HOT.
#43
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Karen, I just got back from New York this weekend, and I was foolishly obsessed with worry about how I would look and what I should wear so as not to offend the Natives and look, God forbid, like a tourist. Everywhere I went--and I went everywhere, Upper West Side, East Side, Chinatown, Battery, every street in Soho, most of the Village, Times Square, and more--there were zillions of people dressed EVERY WAY POSSIBLE. Ugly people, fat people, gorgeous dressers, old people, kids, every kind of shoe, pant, coat, hat, you name it. Sometimes it was obvious who was a tourist and sometimes it wasn't, but who cares, because there were THOUSANDS of tourists! And the only individuals that jumped out at me were the All-Clad-In-Black girls rushing down the street with their messenger bags across their body. Wear what you want. Be comfortable, mostly. I'll never give it a second thought again.
#44
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Sandals and slides are absolutely appropriate for June. The things many people wear that tend to scream "tourist" are those bright white sneakers. But, then again, you're a tourist. So, if you're comfortable in white sneakers, go ahead and wear them.
#45
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NYers wear sandals just as much as everywhere else!
Though white sneakers DO scream "tourist" you see lots of girls & women around here wearing sneakers in shades of red, blue, and gray. Why no white? They get dirty too fast! I gave up on white and light-colored footwear years ago, right after I moved here.
Though white sneakers DO scream "tourist" you see lots of girls & women around here wearing sneakers in shades of red, blue, and gray. Why no white? They get dirty too fast! I gave up on white and light-colored footwear years ago, right after I moved here.
#47
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Yes sandals definitely. Adjust the type slightly to your activity as you would anywhere else. If buying shoes for NY (or other major city) tourism, focus on the soles first--thick rubber. Lots of nice styles like this these days. Many posts this topic, this & Europe board.
#48
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Karen,
Where what you're comfortable wearing. A number of people had already said that this is all a response to the initial question.
Don't worry about looking like a tourist. You can adopt the most morose get-up and your accent will probably give you away anyway.
The drawback to looking like a tourist is that it might make you a slightly easier target for petty criminals.
However, there is an upside. I've found a lot of New Yorkers are happy to share tips with tourists on great places to see and eat at and avoiding the bad guys. Plus, crime is still down so don't be so worried.
New Yorkers are friendlier than they're given credit for. People that you encounter on the street during a working day are on their way to work, so are less laid back. However, where New Yorkers show their friendliness is in bars and luncheonettes when they're less hurried and happy to talk to strangers. A lot of towns the folks are friendlier on the streets and at the check out counter at a store than they are in a tavern or local greasy spoon. It seems to be just the opposite in New York.
Have fun and don't worry too much. Of course make sure to keep an eye on your kid at all times. It's easy for a little one to get lost or walk out into traffic. Hold hands at all crossings and don't feel foolish for standing on the sidewalk while waiting on a light, because you also have to worry about bicycle messangers as well as cars.
Where what you're comfortable wearing. A number of people had already said that this is all a response to the initial question.
Don't worry about looking like a tourist. You can adopt the most morose get-up and your accent will probably give you away anyway.
The drawback to looking like a tourist is that it might make you a slightly easier target for petty criminals.
However, there is an upside. I've found a lot of New Yorkers are happy to share tips with tourists on great places to see and eat at and avoiding the bad guys. Plus, crime is still down so don't be so worried.
New Yorkers are friendlier than they're given credit for. People that you encounter on the street during a working day are on their way to work, so are less laid back. However, where New Yorkers show their friendliness is in bars and luncheonettes when they're less hurried and happy to talk to strangers. A lot of towns the folks are friendlier on the streets and at the check out counter at a store than they are in a tavern or local greasy spoon. It seems to be just the opposite in New York.
Have fun and don't worry too much. Of course make sure to keep an eye on your kid at all times. It's easy for a little one to get lost or walk out into traffic. Hold hands at all crossings and don't feel foolish for standing on the sidewalk while waiting on a light, because you also have to worry about bicycle messangers as well as cars.
#50
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Note regarding the sneakers: it is NOT true that New Yorker's don't wear sneakers. I ALWAYS wear sneakers when I can, as does my finance (both native New Yorkers) and as does many of my friends. What is true is we do not wear white sneakers. A real Manhattanite walks a lot, so therefore many wear sneakers - we have the same feet as everyone else. I would say to not wear sneakers if you go out at night, but for the day many people do wear sneakers. Take a walk around either the Upper East or West sides on a saturday or sunday - don't go by the artsy/ old SoHo version of NY. There are 8 million people in NY - you think they all have the same shoes??? You are much better off being able to walk around comfortably, and therefore really enjoying new york, then being stuck taking transportation everywhere because your feet are killing you!
I wouldn't say that you'd have to wear black, just avoid tacky prints. Solid colors or designer trendy clothes...
And I think Seinfeld is great, and TV has been lost without it.
I wouldn't say that you'd have to wear black, just avoid tacky prints. Solid colors or designer trendy clothes...
And I think Seinfeld is great, and TV has been lost without it.
#51
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The first thing I want to say is that my New York (Queens) accent is not an indication of the level of my intelligence. It's a part of who I am and I'm proud of it. Who cares if you look like a tourist! Believe me, in a city of 8 million people, do you really think people are paying that much attention to what you're wearing? I certainly don't. I'm fortunate to work in the West Village where the people are really down to earth and self expression rules! I love it! Be yourself and enjoy New York City.
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Hank
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Sep 26th, 2006 12:19 PM