After living in New York City for a while, I have picked up on some of the habits that I’ve witnessed on how other New Yorkers treat each other. I have seen such habits on the subway, in school, in the park, at restaurants, and pretty much everywhere I go. Although some may perceive this as being a nuisance, these attitudes make New Yorkers unique and special in their own way. As a very dear friend of mine once told me, “you’re not a true New Yorker if you haven’t done at least three of these things.” If you relate to the following, you're probably a true New Yorker...
1. Hopping the turnstile
There have been multiple occasions where I have seen high school students with 1/2 fare metro cards do this. Most New Yorkers who used a green metro card most did this, or probably have friends who have.
2. Tourists getting in your way while you’re walking
Have you ever walked to a Starbucks on Times Square, but then a random dude stops in front of you way to snap a photo? Or perhaps when you're crossing the street on the right side, a person walking from the opposite side will walk your direction on purpose to make you move. If you're a true New Yorker, you will most likely hold your spot until the other person moves out of your way.
3. Getting defensive if you suspect that someone is staring at you
4. Jay Walking
Who has time to walk all the way to the end of the sidewalk to cross, when you can just cut through traffic, save time and pray you don't get hit? There is no doubt that that's a New Yorker's habit.
5. Crossing the street during a green light then blaming the driver for almost hitting you
This is a result of my previous point. Because this is New York City, we encounter lots of aggressive drivers who will rarely stop for pedestrians when their light is green. But then we blame them anyway, right?
6. Talking loudly on the phone in quiet places
A library? So what? That won't stop at least one New Yorker from having a loud phone conversation. Soon, the security and staff will know all their business.
7. Being late to something and blaming it on train delays
If you've ever woke up a minute before your shift and blamed the train, you're a true New Yorker.
8. Getting angry when your Metrocard doesn't swipe properly the first time
How frustrating is that when you swipe your metro card and the machine reads "Please swipe again?" What blows, even more, is when the person in front of you is having trouble swiping in, especially when your train approaching.
9. Holding the Subway doors
C'mon, what kind of New Yorker are you if you
Undoubtedly, the list continues. Other habits include placing your wet umbrella on the seat next to you while you're on the subway, refusing to move when the doors open to let other passengers in, getting on the subway even when it's extremely overcrowded, falling asleep on the person sitting next to you, kicking your feet up when the train cars are empty, and so forth. If you think you have some more New York habits that you'd like to share, feel free to comment them below.