Growing up in New York City is like growing up in no other place. No other metropolis on this earth can compare to this one. Kids in New York City, especially those that attended a school in the public education system, have stories that go far and beyond any of those you'll ever hear. Now, I don't attend college in New York City, but there are some things that the Big Apple has taught me that no other place could, and I'm sure any New York City kid can relate.
1. You walk fast or you don't make it.
Any kid who's spent part of their life in the city knows that walking fast is the way to go. You run across the street at light speed when there's only 7 seconds left on the timer. There have been multiple accounts of you almost being hit by a car when trying to make it right after the traffic lights hit green. You hate tourist season and are milliseconds away from losing your patience and shoving people just so you can get wherever you need to go. College is a lot like that.
My classes have a ten minute interval between them, but they're rarely in the same building. My legs pick up that New York City pace when running from one end of campus to the other, and back again. You don't stop to talk to strangers, because you know you have a class to go to. And while you may not be totally fit, your legs somehow always get you where you need to go.
2. "Bacon, Egg, and Cheese" is one word (only in New York).
This is a meme that floats around Facebook all the time. When you're hungry in the morning, you go up to your local "Cart-Guy" and you go "baconeggandcheese.... with ketchup." And everyone knows what you ordered. Two minutes and not a second later, they slap a tossed-together sandwich wrapped hideously in aluminum foil. You unwrap it and bite into the best breakfast ever.
When you don't go to college in New York, that doesn't relate. Our campus here at Carnegie Mellon has an Au Bon Pain, which is the most popular breakfast place. There's an option called "Bacon, Egg, and Cheddar." One morning, I was in a rush, so I went up to the line and said "baconeggandcheese." The entire staff looked at me like I was nuts. The lady taking my order had to ask me again, and I pretty much stumbled on my words trying to explain what a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich was, because I wasn't used to getting asked that question.
P. S. The Bacon, Egg and Cheddar isn't half as good as a classic cart-made "baconeggandcheese."
3. If you've figured out the MTA, figuring out the transit system in other places is easy as pie.
Pittsburgh's bus system is completely less extensive than the MTA back home. But somehow, learning how to interpret the wording of the subway stations and bus stops made it easier for me to read maps here on campus than I had ever imagined. You figure out directions much more easily, and you can follow along the routes and paths of any map system.
Not to mention, you've mastered the art of "glue-your-feet-to-the-floor-so-you-don't-fall-when-the-vehicle-stops-suddenly." This way, you stand triumphantly over everyone else who has landed on the floor.
4. You're not afraid of street food.
Street food can be found anywhere you go, especially in big cities, but in New York City, it's like its own cuisine. Many of the people I've encountered that come from suburban areas say they'd never, ever touch food that comes from a cart, which to me is pretty laughable. As a New Yorker, breakfast carts were saviors at times (see #2). If you couldn't go home for food because you had somewhere to be and you didn't want to fork out half of your paycheck on a dinner, spending $5 on a halal platter was the best thing that's ever happened. And truth be told, food made in those carts is often a lot better than some make it out to be. While it may not be all "organic and GMO-free," you're not getting eggs-from-a-bag, or bacon that's been pre-cooked and needs to be reheated, or meat that's been pre-cooked and frozen. Your plate was made that day, with pretty fresh ingredients. There's no shame in eating cart food.
5. If you can maximize living in New York City, you can budget anything.
College is a time when money will be an object for most people. Some people are not as in tune with their spending habits as others. But a lot of us have to decide when to buy that extra coffee, or go out and grab sushi instead of a yogurt. However, being in New York, no matter how rich or poor you are, makes you weigh your options. You're smart enough to buy a water bottle for $1 at the Newsstand than at Starbucks for $3 (this may seem logical, but there are plenty of those out there that don't do it). Doing so, you subconsciously learn to balance your budget and to memorize where the best resources are.
To conclude, there's no place like growing up in New York. It leaves you with lasting memories of things you used to constantly do, and it builds you up for survival.
Like the song goes, "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere!"
