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TizonaBlu t1_j90jgae wrote

New Yorkers are honestly nicer than the stereotype suggests. Just don’t walk on the sidewalk in parallel and you’ll be fine.

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AmazinTim t1_j9145zj wrote

New Yorkers are brilliant when it comes to giving directions, they’ll fall over themselves to tell you how to get places. The cynic in me knows it’s because they’re so proud that they know where to go and want to demonstrate that to others as a casual flex.

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JelliedHam t1_j91c950 wrote

I've heard a comment that new Yorkers are kind but not always nice. People from other cities are nice but not always kind.

I think if you throw out the outliers. Overly nice and total assholes you end up with an average of: if you respect our pace, space, and expectations of general etiquette in NYC, we are pleasant and enthusiastic about helping others in need. The best way to flow in the city and get help when you need it is to be chill and get out of the way when needed. If it's clear you're not completely oblivious to others or a total douche, we got you.

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StevenAssantisFoot t1_j91hci7 wrote

This is too accurate. If someone asks me for directions and we are going a similar way I will of course give them directions but also stay visibly nearby just in case they need more help and so they know I am sort of with them (I am a small woman and definitely not a presence anyone would perceive as menacing). I don't try and chat or make friends but I do feel a protective instinct to watch over this stranger and not allow them to feel alone and lost, or miss their stop. Kind, but not nice. Never thought of my behavior this way but it's true.

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eekamuse t1_j91l532 wrote

I do the same thing. It's great to hear how it feels for the other person. At least for OP

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BartletForPrez t1_j9174gl wrote

Real New Yorkers all have this superpower of knowing exactly which direction they're going when the exit the subway. Doesn't matter which station. Doesn't matter whether they've ever been on that block or to that station. They just walk out of the station and are like "It's this way." "How the heck do you know, is that North? Where's the sun?" "It's this way." As a former suburban kid I will never not be amazed at how they do it!

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3DPrintedCloneOfMyse t1_j919fk0 wrote

The trick is to orient yourself to the subway you just got off of. Were you on a northbound train? Great, the direction the train left in is north.

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Darrackodrama t1_j91dtl3 wrote

Sometimes when you are in a new station and you talk 3 turns and a stairwell to get to street level you forget which way the train was running.

It helps to know if you are standing near an avenue and if there is a subway grate below. That is giveaway for me of north south vs East west and the rest is context

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snazztasticmatt t1_j91gfq9 wrote

I've said for years that I'm going to print out a bunch of cardinal direction stickers and throw them up on the stairs out of subway stations. Even when I orrient myself against the departing train, it would be so much easier to know that the staircase leads east or west or whatever

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57dimensions t1_j92a9c2 wrote

Yeah transferring between the L and the F at 14th st always throws me off because of the stair turns, I'm not sure why that station in particular gets me because there aren't even that many staircases, but I always have to triple check I'm getting on the right L train.

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photo-smart t1_j92npiv wrote

> It helps to know if you are standing near an avenue and if there is a subway grate below. That is giveaway for me of north south vs East west and the rest is context

I feel silly for asking, but how exactly are you orienting yourself based on the avenue and subway grates?

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Darrackodrama t1_j93niow wrote

For example if there is a subway grate below you and you’re on an avenue you know that train (usually the one you just got off of is running below you depends on the station though)

Then you can look down the block and see if the street number decreases or increases and get a sense of north south if you’re on an avenue !

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eekamuse t1_j91ljtv wrote

Yeah but try to remember then as you go up the stairs. "North north north, turning east now south south south, west, back to north. Walking,walking more stairs now we we're heading north again, wait,did I make a turn while I was walking? Fuuuck"

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whatshamilton t1_j91zkfo wrote

I orient myself to the road traffic. Even streets go east. Wanna go west on 22nd? Walk against traffic.

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ahkian t1_j91ydpg wrote

Also most subway exits tell you which direction you’re exiting in

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whatshamilton t1_j91zg0w wrote

They tell you which side of the street the exit is on. Not which direction you’ll be facing. You can come up the N exit but be facing S if the stairs are aimed in that direction. You need to know I’m the N exit, that’s the S exit across the street, so if I want to go East I need to turn left.

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Omphalos- t1_j917trw wrote

The subway exits have cardinal directions on the signs above, for example NE and SE exits at 42nd st.

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leg_day t1_j91ckdj wrote

> "It's this way."

And when you get it wrong, no, you meant to take the southeast corner stairs despite having to now cross two very busy stoplights because uhhhh shut up and cross!

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Very_Bad_Janet t1_j91r401 wrote

I don't know if it's pride. If I have no idea what to tell someone I'll say I don't know. But I think we do want to be helpful - being in this city does make one feel like we're all in it together. I might not know where to send you but if you seem reasonably ok I might pull out my Google Maps app and check the MTA app, too, for you.

ETA: I know Parisiennes also get a bad rap. But one time I was lost in Paris and some sweet gentleman listened to my really bad French, literally took me by the arm, and took me to the place I was looking for. And he wasn't the only one who went out of his way to help me. I think if you are respectful, people in big cities will help you out.

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kipsterdude t1_j91ee2u wrote

I think it may also be (at least in my case) because we've all been there. We've all gotten on the wrong train, or headed the wrong direction, and we can see the confusion on someone's face when they're not sure what to do. It's not a fun feeling.

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shydumplinggg t1_j92uf8h wrote

thats so true hahah we just wanna show off that we know the city

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ViennettaLurker t1_j90wupn wrote

It really is true. And seeing people helping others with directions on the subway was actually the first moment I had this thought. The stereotype really isn't true for the most part. There was an older person on the train asking for help with the stops and like 3 or 4 people did not hesitate to help immediately with amazing advice and conversation. Such a sweet moment.

New Yorkers are totally nicer than you think, particularly love helping with directions like on a train, and then will be like "WALK LEFT STAND RIGHT" on the escalator out the station.

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Awkward-Painter-2024 t1_j90xkx1 wrote

I've walked people around blocks, taken trains, taken an extra bus stop to help people. But drive or park in the bike lane and I'll flip you off?! 🤣

"I'm walking here!!"

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iv2892 t1_j91bho1 wrote

And they are quick to offer a seat to a woman or elderly person when the carts are crowded . I know me and many other people do it

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swingadmin t1_j91cazs wrote

I've been burdened with laptops, tools, hardware, etc., and if I see a pregnant woman I am just astounded that there are other people who don't immediately get up and offer their seat.

But then again most riders have their heads buried in electronics, books or are completely zoned. That far-off look where you're aware of everything that's happening but wouldn't notice your mom if she stood in front of you.

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eldersveld t1_j92vr54 wrote

Absolutely! There was an elderly lady at W 4th who was confused about how to get to the Social Security office downtown, and I had time, so I took her aside on the mezzanine and made sure she understood how to get to Fulton St and then to the office from there. She was so happy and grateful and that's all I needed.

But when someone else stopped at the top of the stairs a little while later, in front of me, you better believe I was an asshole

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Dan-D-Lyon t1_j91iui8 wrote

The moment a New Yorker realizes you aren't asking for money we become the warmest people. We only seem standoffish because the last 1032 strangers who attempted to talk to us were trying to make us feel bad for not opening our wallet to them

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eldersveld t1_j92w321 wrote

It's partly relief, I think, it's like holy shit a stranger that isn't trying to scam me in some way, glad to make your (brief) acquaintance lol

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ummaycoc t1_j912j4b wrote

Importantly don’t take up an entire busy sidewalk. If it’s super wide you and one person can be next to one another. Under scaffolding? Single file. Has food trucks or trees etc restricting space? Single file.

I’ve had people get super offended when I’m all the way over to the right and I stop and let them walk into me. Like you can just get behind your friend for thirty feet and pick up the convo then.

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brook1yn t1_j916n4r wrote

we love giving better directions than other new yorkers

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annaqua t1_j91g59d wrote

When someone asks for directions, the deep discussions between New Yorkers on trains about which route will take you there faster/better/more efficiently... truly amazing.

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StevenAssantisFoot t1_j91icvu wrote

Especially when there are special considerations like carrying something heavy and cumbersome and all of a sudden single platform transfers or escalators become a factor. I live for that shit.

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brook1yn t1_j9256yz wrote

Some older couple was walking towards us on the ft hamilton bridge (over prospect expy) last weekend and asked us if we knew how to get to deep brooklyn. These are the kinds of challenges I feel like new yorkers live for. First we had to get their bearings. Then we had to pick apart what exactly they meant and then flooded them with a few 'this is the fastest ways to get there options'. Truly a gratifying moment.

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Souperplex t1_j91cwgm wrote

As my southern friend says: It's the difference between nice and polite.

New Yorkers are happy to help you, but also will tell you off for fucking up. Southerners are performatively polite but will not help a stranger in need.

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eekamuse t1_j91m3lq wrote

I always hear that about people outside of NY but I find it hard to believe.

People aren't going to walk past if you slip on the ice, or drop your groceries. I won't believe it until I see it.

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Souperplex t1_j91u6wg wrote

My southern friend (Texas) is the source of this claim. I haven't spent enough time down there to verify.

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eekamuse t1_j91w5sd wrote

I've hear it many times on here. I still find it hard to believe. But it could be true

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LongIsland1995 t1_j91dgc4 wrote

The "rude" stereotype mainly applies to mentally ill people, gangbangers, and maybe businessmen. Generally, most people are friendly.

I help people out with directions all the time and I love doing so.

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ImJackieNoff t1_j91rvvp wrote

> mentally ill people, gangbangers, and maybe businessmen

And sometimes mentally ill gangster businessmen are rolled into one orange colored person. And he's not nice. He called me a "nobody" when I just said hi.

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Icallforksfoodrakes t1_j91hvz6 wrote

I just moved here and was so happily surprised as a new englander that people are nicer here than at home.

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TetraCubane t1_j91mzjd wrote

Yeah. I hate it when groups of people, especially teenagers take up the whole sidewalk while walking.

Didn’t they ever learn that single file is the proper way?

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Rakonas t1_j91su6f wrote

Or stand on the passing lane of the escalator

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