Random thoughts
So some random thoughts and observations about my time in New York. I keep wondering if I look like a tourist or a New Yorker. For the most part I don't think it's too obvious that I don't actually live here. I don't walk around with a map or a large camera or a fanny-pack. I don't make remarks about how big everything is or how many people there are. There are only a couple of things that make me definitely not a New Yorker.
One is that I don't know which way to go when I get out of a subway station. Even when the sign tells you that you are exiting at the NE corner of 60th and Lexington Ave. You would think that I would then know which way to go to get to 61st. Nope, definitely don't. I first went to 59th and had to turn around, embarrassing since of course all true New Yorkers can tell that I went the wrong way (because they all care and noticed). Then I somehow forgot that I was traveling north instead of south like yesterday when I was heading to the allergies (I used a different subway line) and turned the wrong way on 61st. I know it doesn't seem like it, but I usually have a very good sense of direction.
The other is that I don't cross the street in heavy traffic. New Yorkers either have a death wish or are all just arrogant enough to think that there is no way anyone is going to hit them. Now I have no problem checking one-way streets and crossing if I don't see anyone coming, but I do not walk out into the middle of a four lane street because one direction of traffic was clear and stand there waiting for the other direction to clear while taxis and delivery trucks pass by with inches to spare. Nope, can't do it. I really would rather stand on the corner revealing that I am not a true New Yorker than risk death by car.
So I went to the comedy club again on Monday and this comic made some observations that have stuck with me. He was black and was making comments about things white people do. One may not translate well on a blog, but I'll try. He said that white people have this half smile thing where they don't show their teeth and press their lips together. It's this really pompous condescending smile and I know all of you would recognize it if you saw it. The other is what he called the "walk to run" and he was completely dead on. It's where a person jogs a few steps and then walks again. People tend to do it if they think they won't make it to their destination in time, like when you're crossing the street and the signal is about to change to don't walk.
I totally did it today. And the comic was right. It's not like those three jogging steps I took really made any difference in my making it across the street. Keep it in the back of your mind, you'll do it too in the next couple of days. I've noticed plenty of people so far. I'm not sure the comic was right that only white people do it, but I think I'll pay attention and try to figure it out.
That's about it, I'll post more later.
One is that I don't know which way to go when I get out of a subway station. Even when the sign tells you that you are exiting at the NE corner of 60th and Lexington Ave. You would think that I would then know which way to go to get to 61st. Nope, definitely don't. I first went to 59th and had to turn around, embarrassing since of course all true New Yorkers can tell that I went the wrong way (because they all care and noticed). Then I somehow forgot that I was traveling north instead of south like yesterday when I was heading to the allergies (I used a different subway line) and turned the wrong way on 61st. I know it doesn't seem like it, but I usually have a very good sense of direction.
The other is that I don't cross the street in heavy traffic. New Yorkers either have a death wish or are all just arrogant enough to think that there is no way anyone is going to hit them. Now I have no problem checking one-way streets and crossing if I don't see anyone coming, but I do not walk out into the middle of a four lane street because one direction of traffic was clear and stand there waiting for the other direction to clear while taxis and delivery trucks pass by with inches to spare. Nope, can't do it. I really would rather stand on the corner revealing that I am not a true New Yorker than risk death by car.
So I went to the comedy club again on Monday and this comic made some observations that have stuck with me. He was black and was making comments about things white people do. One may not translate well on a blog, but I'll try. He said that white people have this half smile thing where they don't show their teeth and press their lips together. It's this really pompous condescending smile and I know all of you would recognize it if you saw it. The other is what he called the "walk to run" and he was completely dead on. It's where a person jogs a few steps and then walks again. People tend to do it if they think they won't make it to their destination in time, like when you're crossing the street and the signal is about to change to don't walk.
I totally did it today. And the comic was right. It's not like those three jogging steps I took really made any difference in my making it across the street. Keep it in the back of your mind, you'll do it too in the next couple of days. I've noticed plenty of people so far. I'm not sure the comic was right that only white people do it, but I think I'll pay attention and try to figure it out.
That's about it, I'll post more later.
posted by Anne @ 5:12 PM
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