It's okay, Adu.
I got irritated with another driver yesterday and said "Aha!" when I saw it was an out-of-state tag. But, couldn't blame it on a "damn Yankee" 'cause the tag was from Kentucky. I did think of kybourbon though :-)

Just don't blow your horn if you ever drive down here. It is considered the ULTIMATE in rudeness. I still kind of jump the first time I'm standing on a corner in NYC and hear the cacophony of horns blaring.

I was just in NYC, and adapted to the sidewalk rules very well. What I learned 30 years ago came back to me. And the little that I didn't remember, my daughter and niece reminded me of. :-)

Well, I don't live in NYC anymore but these "Rules" apply to all cities.
Ask a Londoner or as in my case, a rsident of Buenos Aires ( bigger/more people than NYC!!)

They are actually good tips for those who live in more suburban/country-less crowded surroundings.

And when you add the holiday (we are having summer tourists here ) crowds..it can get downright dangerous, forgetabout frustrating..

/another one we saw just today... When you cross the street, keep going a few feet before you stop and pull out the map...I remember NY taxi drivers and they drive like Grannies compared to BA drivers but they do sort of aim at you when you remain in the street too long..so try not to jam up the sidewalk where pedestrians are trying to get to before the taxi gets them first :D

Ahhh - New Yorkers should take a chill pill. Newsflash! The earth does not revolve around your glorious city.

I agree with the Just NYers list. But, I think you need to add that it is socially acceptable to walk in the street during the Christmas season if you are in Midtown.

I would add for the tourists, when getting on at the 5th Avenue subway station (the E & V trains) please do not stand waiting by the first two cars during the evening rush, UNLESS you intend to get off at Penn Station. 90% of those getting on the E train at that stop are rushing to make it home. They will frighten you as they bolt for the door and turnstiles at Penn Station Stand in the middle of the train, there are seats and friendlier faces.

Ahhh - New Yorkers should take a chill pill. Newsflash! The earth does not revolve around your glorious city.

There are 8 million people who live here. I think it swells to 10 million during bsuiness hours.

If there were not unwritten rules there would be chaos.

If you have been to Bourbon Street in pre-Katrina New Orleans, you understand the Ying and Yang of tourism. Ft. Lauderdale banned Spring Break. Of course you want tourist dollars and for people to enjoy your city as much as you do, but there must be some undersatnding between the people who live and those who visit.

Shoefly,
Of course we know the earth doesn't revolve around us. We're content knowing that The United States does.

hey Adu, great topical advice:

My poor husband works in midtown - he would really appreciate your list. This time of year he doesn't even leave his office for lunch or anything unless he absolutely HAS to - walking anywhere is an exercise in frustration. Last week we had to walk up 5th Avenue from 53rd to 65th Street - I swear to God, the tourists just stand in front of the stores in the middle of the sidewalk and gawk from there - it's all an outdoor mall to them . . . I know I know they're our life's blood - we can't live without 'em . . . but lately I'm having the fantasy of of one day a year we close the borders - NYC residents ONLY get to use the subways, get into the museums, restaurant reservations, movies, stores . . . just one day . . . would that be so hard?

By the way, it was announced today, the new official population is 8.25 million.
sorry for the rant . .

The foot traffic in NYC is unlike any where else in the country, not counting Christmas.
Every American who visits comes from a smaller town. Even the foot traffic on Michigan in Chicago does not even come close to many streets in Manhattan. LA is LA. When I visit our office there, the people would have a coronary when I crossed the street against the light even if the next car was in Pasadena. Pick a city and then visit NY.

If they want to think it is NewYorkCentric fine but when they get run over a delivery bike or some angry commuter walks over you, don't come crying to this board.

mp: I fantasize about that day too. Actually, I would love more than a day!

Sure, tourists are great for pumping money into the NY economy. There are a lot of nice tourists who come visit our great city. Many, however, seem to forget that there are people that actually live in the City. I can be friendly, give directions, answer questions. But please remember that when you are out sightseeing, a lot of the people you stop short in front of on the sidewalk or who are waiting behind you while you try to figure out the very simple metrocard machines at rush hour are NYers trying to get to work and get on with their days. Leave our apartments "30 seconds earlier" so we're not running up the stairs or escalators? Be respectful and we will be too. Don't stop short on crowded sidewalks (some people actually live in midtown). Don't try to buy a metrocard during rush hour if you don't know how to use the machine. We'll be a lot friendlier to tourists who can be respectful. Also, there are trash cans on every corner in NY. DO NOT throw your trash on the subway tracks or on the street. That's a suggestion for everyone, not just tourists.

Well - not to be unwelcoming - but tourism is NOT the lifeblood of New York.

New York is an incredibly wealthy city and the US center for finance/banking, education, publishing, medicine, fashion, media and a host of other industries. Although the tourist industry definitely makes a contribution, NYC is less dependent on tourism that almost any other tourist mecca in the world.

I enjoy seeing (almost all) tourists and it's great that they enjoy NYC - but frankly they need us way more than we need them.

"There are 8 million people who live here. I think it swells to 10 million during bsuiness hours.

If there were not unwritten rules there would be chaos."

Ha. That's funny. Do you think a a few tourists who don't know your "rules" will cause chaos on the street? I bet you'll survive just fine. (And, indeed you do, huh?)

I've given out my share of directions etc. to confused vacationers in Boston and really haven't felt particularly put out by it. LOL

Stick with the chill pill and smile for God's sake. Life is good!

"ut lately I'm having the fantasy of of one day a year we close the borders - NYC residents ONLY get to use the subways, get into the museums, restaurant reservations, movies, stores . . . just one day . . . would that be so hard?"

And I suppose you were born in midtown Manhattan? Maybe you should get rid of all the immigrants there too. Free up a little sidewalk space and all. ;)

Wow . . . some people really take things literally - even when you use the word fantasy, they jump all over you . . . and fyi - Midtown Manhattan is not New York City - my jest specified NYC residents only - that includes everybody who lives here - even those in Knightsbridge, the Rockaways, Tottenville and Laurelton . . . .

Please don't lecture the New Yorkers! They have been, in my experience, ridiculusly patient and welcoming whereas I, after about 2 days, as a tourist, am pulling out my hair and plotting murder toward those who stop in the middle of the sidewalk to have a chat with their 8 closest friends or at a corner to discuss their plans for the day. I just want to gt to the theater! The OP posted in a clever and funny way, and I'd like to thank the NY-ers for being such a welcoming town.

Many/most people can't comprehend that the sidewalks of New York <i>are</i> our highways.

Most of us don't own cars .. we walk to meetings, appointments, and to get things done. When people slow us down, we can get a tad frustrated. Not always, of course, but certainly sometimes.

Think about it ...

Do you drive to work? Do you ever get frustrated in traffic, or when there's a car in the fast lane going 10 miles <i>under</i> the speed limit?

Bingo.

That's we New Yorkers on our sidewalks.

I did work in Midtown for a while and the two things that would drive me crazy were people stopping at the very top of the stairs at the subway and the group cluster trying to get the metro card to work. I miss the tokens.

Also, don't watch the walk/don't walk signs, watch the traffic!

That made me laugh, as all of the points in the OP are accurate! But, I'm here to tell you...it's NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN! Ever hear of &quot;herding cats&quot;? Now try herding millions of 'cats' (no pun intended re the theater district). I truly love NYC and visit any chance I get. But nobody is ever going to follow those rules....probably because they make too much sense.

re this:
&quot; But let me ask you one question. If I visted your home town and acted in a way that was not in keeping with local customs and then told you too bad, how would you react?&quot;

I'd react by pointing out that this is EXACTLY what New Yorkers have done to South Florida. Move down there in droves, then whine whenever something isn't like it was back in New Yawk. Then I'd react by saying, &quot;if you really want to live in New York, why don't you go back there?&quot;

See my post above. UPDATE: I must break my New Year's resolution as the tourists have broken my resolve. I had to &quot;run&quot; to a session at a conference being held at the Marriott Marquis and it took me close to 30 minutes to get there (walking) from my office at 30 Rock!! That's not because I was out for a nice stroll (HA!), that's because the sidewalks were jammed end to end with &quot;people&quot; stopping right in the middle to look at each other/review a map (&quot;is it upside down??&quot;)/ talk on the phone/ text/ survey the contents of their bags / put down shopping bags to stretch their arms (I kid you not)/ etc., etc., etc. My gosh! Get out of the way!! I really felt like asking one of these dolts how they would like it if I stopped my car in the MIDDLE OF THE STREET in front of them to take a little breather!!

The best advice of all: A little common sense goes a loooong way!

Fa la la la la, la la la la! :-)