I have lived in Manhattan since 1974. The majority of the list made perfect sense to me. I carry most of those items every day in my regular purse in the smallest size available. Most people think my purse is small to average--it is not a tote.

The items:

1. Backup MetroCard - YES - I have extras because friends who visit give me their leftover cards when they leave. I will admit that it does come in handy sometimes.
2. Manual Fan - YES - In summer only. Mine is one of those round ones that twists and folds smaller than the one shone. My apartment building is not air conditioned and the wait by the elevator can be sweltering at certain times. Also comes in handy in the subway.
3. Tape Measure - YES - My Mom always carried one and so do I. It is very handy to be able to measure items (furniture, household goods) before dragging them home to a small apartment with limited storage. Mine is retractable, smaller than the one shone--2 inches round by 1/2 inch thick.
4. Makeup Wipes - YES - Actually mine more at Wet Naps such as you get with fast food. I carry one or two just in case.
5. Nylon Tote - YES - Instead of a big groceries excursion, I stop for groceries almost every day. A fold-up tote saves a tremendous number of bags.
6. Dental Floss - YES - A really small freebie one from the dentist.
7. Deodorant - NO - Too big for me to carry every day.
8. Ear Plugs - YES - Useful for when I dine out by myself and want to read, as well as for long rides on commuter trains and airplanes.
9. Phone Charger - YES - I have a phone, I bring the charger.
10. Water Bottle - NO - Too bulky to carry every day in my bag. I save that room for my micro-mini umbrella which I do carry every day.

I'm trying to figure out why I would need all those things in NYC that I don't need in Seattle? Is it really that different???

Yes to the Benadryl and also to Advil or some kind of painkiller in case knees go out. And always wear nice undergarments in case I get hit by a car. (Joke there) To paraphrase my mother, "Who knows who you will meet??"

Thursday I am going to look into cotton, cheap gloves for just the use I mentioned above. I imagine the risks of NOT wearing gloves would bring more trouble than not carrying some of the stuff mentioned. When I think of all the surfaces I touch every day...I do wash my hands the minute I get home but still.... I do carry tiny washcloth in my purse to open doorknobs but often forget to do that or do not bother to use it.

I don't see the need to carry all that "stuff". When I travel I don't carry anymore with me than I do normally as I go out and about.

Really? I don't usually carry a transport pass, a water bottle, a camera, a map, a guidebook, or an umbrella. But at home I drive everywhere. (Well, these days the map is on my phone.)

Me either.

Well when I "travel" I might have different things, but depending on location.

Not for major cities in the USA where my every-day bag and contents work fine. But Hawaii/Mexico/Caribbean where it's HOT I'd have a small water bottle, dry wash cloth or bandana for sweat, sun hat of some sort, small notepad & pen, etc.

You don't think it's HOT in many mainland US cities in the summer?? Try DC in July.

I think suze's point wasn't that it's hot or not, just that in any major city she'd carry the same things as she carries at home, which might include a water bottle and bandana if she lived in a hot climate.

Did anyone read the article? It had nothing to do with tourists. It was a survey of New Yorkers about what they like to carry when that are walking in the city in which they live.

Yes I read it. But the OP specifically asked us "what do you carry?" So while not the topic of the linked article, I thought that was the topic of this thread.

Ive lived in NYC over 50 years and never go out without a mini umbrella in my tote. Also, something to read. On trains, buses etc you'll always see New Yorkers with their nose in a book, newspaper, Kindle, etc.

One thing I can't figure out is this: When I take the subway, many people around me are on their smart phones, typing, reading, chuckling, etc. But I can't get any service except for when the train stops a minute ot two at certain stations. I don't need to be on the phone, just curious.

According to google, NYC subways got cell service in early 2017.

Typing: you just send as soon as you hit the next station. It usually takes me a few minutes to compose anyway.

Reading: either you load shorter things while waiting for the train, or you just read one longer thing between stretches. I catch up on my magazine reading usually, though, and those are already downloaded.

It could also be they have better connection than you, though. I have internet any time the train is approaching or leaving a station. So I’m not without for very long.