Being a Native New Yorker, I often get the same questions and remarks about life in New York City. Here are twenty-one questions and statements that everyone from New York will recognize:
1. “Why don’t you go into the city? Its so much fun!”
One word, no! Every native New Yorker knows that going into the city is never that much fun and it is no way near what it looks like in the movies. Its extremely crowded, everything is overpriced and most restaurants are tourist traps.
2. “You have such a strong New York accent.”
Me? I don’t have an accent. You’re in New Yawk, so you have the accent!
3. “Wow, it must be hard growing up with no place to play near your house. I bet the only time you got to play outside was when you went to Central Park.”
Actually, I have two parks within walking distance from my house, along with baseball fields, soccer fields, and bike trails. There are plenty of parks besides Central Park.
4. “What was it like growing up without a backyard and living in an apartment?”
Not all of the five boroughs look like Manhattan. I always had a backyard with a pool in it and even a swing set. If you didn't have this, there was probably a huge park and a pool club nearby! Much of New York City actually consists of suburbs.
5. "Let’s go to Times Square (or other touristy place). I love going there! There are so many people and its so much fun!”
These are words you will never hear come out of a native New Yorker’s mouth. Touristy things are avoided at all costs, especially Times Square. Many New Yorkers have been there once or twice and have vowed not to go back.
6. “Your childhood must have been so cool. You and your friends probably spent all of your time in Manhattan.”
Actually, I can’t recall too many trips to the city with my friends. Any time we did go to the city, it was carefully planned weeks in advance. We would much rather hit the beach, lay by the pool or hang out in Queens.
7. “New Yorkers are so rude. They are all on the train together and don’t even speak.”
The number one rule of taking public transportation in New York City is not to speak to anyone or even make eye contact with others. Everyone is on the train trying to get to work, school, or somewhere else important and quite frankly, we don’t have time to start striking up conversations on a train.
8. “Do you have a driver’s license? Does your family even own a car?”
Yes, I have a license and yes, we have cars.
9. “There must be nothing to do outside of Manhattan.”
Actually, there is plenty to do and most people who live in the other four boroughs prefer to spend their time outside of the city.
10. "Wait, when you say ‘The City’ do you mean Manhattan?”
Yes, we always mean Manhattan because according to us that is the best and only city in the world, even if we sometimes hate going there.
11. “You must be a Yankees fan since you live in New York.”
One word: No. Yes, there are many New Yorkers that are Yankees fans, but there are a large number that are Met fans as well.
12. “Why do you all walk like you’re in a rush?”
We just naturally walk fast. It’s in our nature.
13. “People who live in the Tri-State Area are considered New Yorkers, right?
No, just no.
14. “What’s it like driving here? It looks crazy!”
When there isn’t anywhere else to learn how to drive, you have to learn how to drive in the craziness. You get used to it.
15. “Can’t you get a ticket for jaywalking?”
If that were true, the whole city would be given a ticket.
16. “You must know the Subway System like the back of your hand.”
Sure, most of us know what trains to take to get from point A to point B, but the majority of us don’t know every route to get around the five boroughs via the Subway.
17. “I love coming to New York for vacation.”
This is something most New Yorkers will never understand.
18. “Can you go stand in line?”
No, I will go wait on-line. Thank you.
19. “After a week or so, tourists start to blend in right?”
Never. They stick out like sore thumbs.
20. “Wow, you must have done so many cool things like watch the ball drop or see the tree lighting!”
21. “I’ve lived here for a month; I think I can consider myself a New Yorker.”
That title is reserved for those who were born and raised in New York only!
Overall, as much as we complain about living in New York City, we all know that we are living in the greatest city in the world and wouldn't want to live anywhere else!
