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Somehow, perhaps due to a rip in the time-space continuum, Reader's Digest found that New York City is the world's most polite city. Not that Gothamist doubted the friendliness or kindness of our fellow residents, but nailing an 80% in the Reader's Digest Courtesy Test, over say, Toronto (77%)? Or Sydney (a paltry 47%)? And what was the courtesy test?
The routine in New York was similar to the one followed elsewhere: Two reporters -- one woman and one man -- fanned out across the city, homing in on neighborhoods where street life and retail shops thrive. They performed three experiments: "door tests" (would anyone hold one open for them?); "document drops" (who would help them retrieve a pile of "accidentally" dropped papers?); and "service tests" (which salesclerks would thank them for a purchase?). For consistency, the New York tests were conducted at Starbucks coffee shops, by now almost as common in the Big Apple as streetlights. In all, 60 tests (20 of each type) were done.Hilariously, only 55% of New Yorkers picked up the dropped documents (NYers don't like to stoop so much?). But if this courtesy test had been at, oh, a movie theater, concert, or sample sale, we're sure the city would have bombed.Along the way, the reporters encountered all types: men and women of different races, ages, professions, and income levels. They met an aspiring actress, a high school student, a hedge-fund analyst and two New York City police officers. And guess what? In the end, four out of every five people they encountered passed RD's courtesy test -- making New York the most courteous city in the world. Imagine that.
Take this time to revel in being a bunch of polite people and do something nice - give up your seat on the subway to someone who needs it more, pick up your dog's poop or maybe even say hi to your neighbor. Or write a thank you note - The Morning News on how to write them.
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Speaking of movie theaters, I have a question:
Suppose someone is making wisecracks or just being generally annoying throughout a movie. Do you have a right to throw your drink at them? I say yes. Caveat - You better aim true.
I think half of the reason New Yorker's are rude are out of practical necessity.
"NYC is the World's Most Polite City"?
Evertime I go out of town, I think that.
so great.
This study is very flawed. Ask the people in Starbucks where they're from, and at least half will say from somewhere else.
Also, Starbucks only attracts a certain type of demographic which is not reflective of the actual demographics of the city. I bet if they did this study in a more average place, such as Duane Reade or a Chase Bank, the results would be different.
Anonymous said:
"NYC is the World's Most Polite City"?
Evertime I go out of town, I think that.
I would have to agree with that 100% as there are several cities within a three hour (by train) trip away radius, which are quite rude.
Then again, Reader's Digest is based out in Westchester, Pleasantville to be specific, so perhaps there is some bias?
To quote Mark Twain: "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."
They did not test the people who work at Duane Reade.
New Yorkers are busy and tend to keep to themselves while they are busy. Sometimes this is misinterpreted as rudeness.
New Yorkers are assertive. We have to be. Sometimes this is misinterpreted as rudeness.
New York is a very crowded place. Minor pushing, sidestepping, crowding, and hurrying is inevitable. Sometimes this is misinterpreted as rudeness.
But when it comes down to actually helping your neighbor and making real gestures of friendliness -- New York is right up there. And it's tough to see this until you live here.
More polite than Toronto?
This is sad, people, just sad... I have to go out a flip off a tourist.
NY is full of rude people. When people in NY are NOT rude, I get worried...
Thank you Gothamist for your fine website. And have a nice day.
Alas, "thank you" are 2 words very rarely passed along, with your change, from NYC cashiers.
Hey IASS - sadly, part of what make starbucks so successful here and elsewhere is that almost every demographic drinks coffee (except maybe latter day saints). I'm fairly certain that if you surveyed their NYC customers, you'd get a surprisingly accurate if not perfectly representative sample of the city.
that said a)i do think it would have been a better survey if they'd gone beyond starbucks and b) as a nonnative new yorker who has lived in the northwest, southwest and southeast, people here are the most genuinely polite, hands down.
Apparently, it never occurred to the reporters that cities also exist outside of the US.
drewo: its also very rare for a customer in new york to say anything to the cashier other than "how much." it gets pretty hard to say "thanks" to every customer when most of them don't even say "hi" back or look at you. customers in new york are pretty rude.
Did they visit Chinatown?
I'm kidding, I'm kidding.
I always say thank you, sometimes you get a grunt back, sometimes nothing.
I like to kill people with kindness and force them to look at my ugly mug. (to think, I used to have self-esteem problems)
Grover is right; people in NYC are often extremely helpful. What they are not is "friendly" in the Texas or Alabama or Wisconsin sense; they do not strike up pleasant conversations with strangers. Where a Texan may say "Well I'm sure sorry, I sure can't help y'all with that, y'all come back and see us" while effectively ignoring you, a New Yorker might say "Whaddya want? ... Right-right-right" while actually going out of his way to help you.
I’m sorry, but in this category, Any Japanese city trumps NY.
xnxox: agree that New York customers can be rude.
Perhaps the good feelings should then start with the business (in this case, the cashiers), since they are on the receiving end of the money. And there is the old adage - the customer is always right.
I live in DC now after a lifetime in NYC (and am coming back as soon as my commitment to my job is up!) and I am absolutely floored every time I walk out my door as to how rude and outright mean people are in DC. (I don't work for the government, either.)
In DC, you could throw yourself into a subway car as its doors are closing and panic-strickenly ask which direction the train is going, and no one will even acknowledge your presence, let alone that you've said anything.
I love that NY can now claim this title. It's so true.
The chinese are always spitting and farting and picking their teeth. Clearly these people did not visit chinatown.
Hey IASS - sadly, part of what make starbucks so successful here and elsewhere is that almost every demographic drinks coffee (except maybe latter day saints). I'm fairly certain that if you surveyed their NYC customers, you'd get a surprisingly accurate if not perfectly representative sample of the city.
You are definitely new to the city, I'm afraid. Your degree of certainty is admirable, but it's wrong. Nearly half of the city's total population is of a minority, the largest of which is Hispanic, and blacks and Asians make up a large amount as well. Ever look in a Starbucks? Not even close to that picture.
Also, Starbucks are only located in neighborhoods of a certain pedigree. This explains why you'd be hard-pressed to find a Starbucks in Bed-Stuy, yet there are three Starbucks within shouting distance at Astor Place.
And actually, studies have shown that people of color have less of a taste for caffeinated beverages than their whiter counterparts. This is why ads for Sprite, Sierra Mist and 7-Up are laden with black actors and hip-hop music. Obey your thirst, make 7 up yours.
Apparently, it never occurred to the reporters that cities also exist outside of the US.
Umm...the other 34 cities on the list are all outside the United States.
The reporters did not do all the tests at Starbucks - only the service tests. The door tests and documents drops were done elsewhere all over the city, with people from all kinds of backgrounds.
Having visited most of the cities (repeated visits to some) and having lived extensively in a few, I have to say the rankings do not surprise me. I always find New Yorkers friendlier and more helpful than the citizens of many other cities. It may be cultural also - whereas Americans are more open and warm, other cultures teach people to "mind their own business".
I love it - Reader's Digest has always had such a great sense of humour.
It was New Yorker hockey fans that booed the Canadian national anthem in April, 2002 on Canada's national day of mourning for its soldiers killed in Afghanistan - by 'friendly' US fire. Canadians there in response to the attack on New York's own world trade centre. And then there was the burning of Canada's flag...
Gotta love irony.
NYC, if anything, is probably the most "human" city. Polite? Never!
When I was in New York (I was there for a few days)most of the New Yorkers I met were real polite. When me and my family got lost all we had to do was ask someone for directions. They weren't rude when we ask, they helped us, which in all consideration is nice because you know NY is a pretty busy state. And if they do things that may seem rude, they honestly don't mean it, they are just in a rush!!!
Haahahahaha! #5 You got issues!As far as the polite thing, I view myself a "Nice guy" and all. You want to see my nasty side, Then get on an already crowded train that you know full well you can't fit on and should have used your better judgement and waited for the next train! *Catches breath* You want to hear me swear then step on my Creame wally's and I will grant your wish!!! Doesn't make me impolite does it?