Elevators, Mythbusting and Smokey the Bear

You can tell when a person is visiting Midtown Manhattan for the first time. They marvel at the skyscrapers, crowds, and billboards, and pause to take selfies or group photos. Sometimes I find joy in observing this experience but usually (meaning 99.99% of the time), I cannot find joy because this magical moment is happening right at the top of a subway escalator or in the middle of a busy sidewalk!

It's possible I officially became a New Yorker the first time I loudly asked a tourist to "please move to the side so people can get by!" I'm sure that people went back to their hometowns and used our encounter as evidence to confirm that people that live in New York City are mean and always in a rush!

Today, I would like to debunk these myths and clarify that the weak link in the NYC resident/tourist relationship is, and I say this with love, the tourist.

Are New Yorkers generally mean and aggressive?

No way! Of course, we have our share of jerks just like any city (or family) but not some exorbitant amount! That said, our primary way of getting around is public transportation, which means, if we are exiting the subway at Times Square or walking down the block in Times Square, we on our way somewhere. We aren't just milling about! And, since we avoid Times Square and any other touristy area as much as possible, if we are there, it is probably work-related. When you see us, know that we are on a mission.

If we aren't mean, then why do we avoid eye contact with tourists on the street? Why don't we say, hello?

NYC is a very crowded place. If we stop to say even a quick hello to every single person that we see or pass on the street or in an elevator, we would be talking all day and night! Just know that we appreciate your presence, but it would be impractical to acknowledge that to you - all of you - directly.

What can we do to improve our NYC tourist/resident relationship?

It's pretty simple. When in New York, do as the New Yorkers! If you want to stop in a major thoroughfare for any reason, move to the side. If you are lost and need to get your bearings, move to the side. If you need to look in your purse for gum, move to the side.

If you feel compelled to chit chat in the elevator, consider chatting with your subconscious or inner child instead of other people. Remember that the 45-second ride might be the quietest, cleanest, least crowded part of a New Yorkers workday.

In the words of Smokey the Bear (#80's baby!), only you can prevent wildfires (aka, getting yelled at by a New Yorker).