New York State of Mind: Pt. 1

Getting in the New York state of mind isn’t always easy.  We know traveling often takes on many meaningful and distinct purposes for the traveler. Perhaps you are visiting a city for the first time on vacation, or maybe it’s the “millionth time” you’ve been to the same city on business. Maybe you and some girlfriends are going back to your favorite place for a much-needed girls’ weekend, or maybe it’s your partner’s or children’s first time in this new place.

Whatever the reason for your travels may be, one thing is certain: you take away a piece of that place with you. St. Augustine is attributed with stating, “The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page.” What better way is there to get to know different places and cultures than by visiting them? But have you ever planned a trip and felt a feeling of nervousness? Prepping to act like a local can be an invaluable asset on any trip. This article helps get you in that New York State of Mind!

Having a map to navigate a new city? Good idea. Consulting said map while stopping on a dime in the middle of busy sidewalk traffic? Not a good idea.

A FEW QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK YOURSELF:

What if I get lost?”

“What if the weather is bad?”

“I hope I don’t stand out like a tourist!”

Taking pictures with art is always fun…and the best way to let people know that you are new in town! Fun fact: The art in the photo is by George Segal. The artist used castings of friends and family members for his statues. I learned this from the nice lady who took the photo. See? New Yorkers can be nice!

These are perfectly reasonable questions and sentiments I think we can all agree to feeling at one point or another.

New Yorkers have been stigmatized with the notion that we are unfriendly. I am here to convince you otherwise! Growing up in Queens, attending high school in Manhattan, and now, working in Manhattan, I can attest to New Yorkers certainly being a little out of the ordinary. However, I think that’s the draw to New York. Millions come to marvel at the city’s world-renowned attractions, top class dining, even healthcare and education. Perhaps the “NYC attitude” comes with the territory of knowing that we are truly blessed to live in a great city. The city never stops, plain and simple. Raise your hand if you know someone who has uprooted to try life in NYC. (Okay, you can put your hand back to your mouse and scrol down now.)

In fact, New York is a very welcoming city and New York Travel can be one of the best experiences you ever have. Just get out of our way on the sidewalk and into that New York state of mind.

All kidding aside, in my efforts to help and welcome those of you who are new to “The Big Apple”, I have compiled this list of “NYC do’s and don’ts” that can help make a day a little easier for you. To help digest the list, it will be featured on this blog in a 2-part series. You can stop looking for tickets to Hamilton or to the crown of the Statue of Liberty now. Those tickets have already been sold out for months. The sacred knowledge I am about to give you is far more important anyway!

Lesson 1: Exude Confidence

You ever hear the term, “Fake it til you make it?” New Yorkers are often characterized as cocky. When heading out for the day in the city, be ready to walk around like you own the place. NYC locals can smell tourist pedestrians from a street corner away. Trust me, we will zoom past you and probably let out a sigh of frustration to let you know that we know.

Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk is a great way to draw the ire of a New Yorker on their morning commute. Pity. If only the lost man in the photo took time to realize that there was a friendly and knowledgeable New Yorker right behind him, he may have realized that his hotel’s entrance is directly to his left!

Lesson 2: Duck and Take cover

If your confidence seems to be shaken a bit and you are not entirely sure of where you are going, see point #1. Walk to the next corner, secure a spot on the sidewalk that is out of the way of pedestrian traffic, because once again, you’ll get some heavy breathing, and maybe even a shake of the head, or worse, a good ol’ NYC stare down. Do not mistake these as pleasantries. Once you’ve cleared the way of the stampeding New Yorkers, you may be able to take another look at Google maps, or ask one of us. We’re great with directions! Just be ready to listen quickly, because we’re probably in a rush somewhere and you know we are in the New York state of mind.

That should be enough to mull over for today. Remember, we really are nice people. Sometimes, we can be a little pushy. You got a problem with that?

Good!

I hope you will read again next week for some more sage advice of how to exemplify The Way of the New Yorker!

To be continued…

By Joseph Bode