I as well as others who are native New Yorkers know that New York is stereotyped by other states. As I spent my time in college in a different state, I realized that many people think we are just a city of rude people who say coffee funny. But in all honesty, we are more than that. We are a state built from a melting pot of cultures where our diversity is like no other. Our backyard is not just grass, but it’s buildings, apartments, churches, businesses, busses, trains, etc. So whether you are from the city, Upstate, Westchester, or from the suburbs of Long Island, here are 10 things that you know to be true:

1. We don't have an accent. You do.

There is this common misconception that everyone from New York speaks the same. To be honest, it all depends where you come from in New York because each area's accent is different from the next. When I speak, a lot of my friends say I have a Long Island accent. Some of us say coffee as “cawfee”. Gotta problem with that? Fuhgettaboudit, nobody will understand the way some of us tawlk.

2. Our bagels and pizza ARE the best

No, we are not food snobs because let’s be honest, we do have the best pizza and bagels. We may not have any competition with Chicago’s deep dish pizza, but we do have a mean thin crust and Sicilian pizza. And all of the bagel shops in New York make the bagels fresh so you get the best of the best. And what other place could say they have rainbow bagels?

3. No, not all of us are rude

New York has this stereotype that we will say f*ck you if you ask for directions. In reality, we are nice people that will help you or tell you what the best places are to go. However, if you walk slow on the sidewalk at any point…. well let’s just say that is a different story.

4. We just say "the city"

To be honest, there is no reason to say “New York City”. We know what you mean by just "the city"

5. We are not ALL from the city

When someone says they are from New York, it doesn’t always mean that we are from the city. There are people outside the city in the suburbs such as those from Long Island, Westchester, Upstate, etc.

6. We hate Jersey

Somehow, we have always had this rivalry with our neighbor since birth. If you ask me, New Yorkers just hate Jersey.

7. Walk signs and cross walks are street art

Wait, you mean j- walking is illegal?

8. We wait "on line" and not "in line"

NOT in line, on line.

9. There are more parts of the City besides Manhattan

The city is actually made up of five boroughs. There is Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and of course Manhattan.

10. Once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker

Though you leave New York every now and then, you will always be reminded of your home.