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Tourists Give New Yorkers Etiquette Tips

tipsnyc091122.jpg
Original photo via O217's flickr

We've seen what some New Yorkers have to say about tourist etiquette, but what about the other way around? The tourists put lots of money into our city's pockets, so we might as well hear them out. We've rounded up some former NYC tourists, from Amsterdam to New Jersey and beyond—and they have a few etiquette tips (and observations) of their own:

  • Don't walk so fast!
  • Don't roll your eyes at me when I pronounce "Houston" Street like the city in Texas.
  • Don't say I'm stupid for calling the subways by colors.
  • Don't tell me I'm dumb for eating at the Olive Garden—I love breadsticks!
  • Slow down! There is always such a rush at the restaurants... as soon as somebody is done with eating they take away the plate, even if other people at the table are still eating.
  • At least make eye contact while “clinking glasses”!
  • Stop talking about how you live in the greatest city in the world. We get it.
  • Don't cycle so fast in the bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge while I am trying to capture the skyline.
  • My advice would be, like here in Amsterdam, be proud of your city not only towards your neighbor but also to outsiders—just to show your hospitality. Allow us to ask for directions as we will do the same for you when you come over.
  • Explain to us why the tipping in restaurants etc is the way it is in stead of getting angry if we tip less than you are used to.
  • Say thank you if someone holds the door open for you. Also, while we're on the subject, if you see me struggling with my bags and my coffee maybe wait the extra five seconds to hold the door open for me. I will even thank you for it!
  • Tell me where to buy counterfeit purses.
  • Give me correct directions... New Yorkers have too much pride, if you ask for directions and they don't really know the answer, they will make something up rather than saying, "Sorry, I'm not sure."

Got all that? Now here are some further observations about how we act—take a nice long look in the mirror, New York City:

  • My experience with New Yorkers is that they differ from each area. If you're walking downtown for instance everyone is really in a work mode and not very accessible. The same applies on 5th Avenue. A lot of people walking around with their headsets on just as if they want to say: "not listening and don't ask me anything."
  • People will make any excuse to have a drink with any meal in New York—from happy hours to brunches.
  • New Yorkers are very exact on how you handle escalators. If you're standing the entire time you get in the line on the right side of the escalator, leaving a clear open isle on the left side so people can walk up faster.

Think we can all get along now, or do we need to make more tourist lanes?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.
By Jen Carlson in on September 22, 2011 12:30 PM

Comments [rss]

  • Ashley Dean
    "Don't walk so fast" discredited the entire list. IT'S NEW YORK CITY. Oh and "Show us where to find counterfeit bags"- Um NO. First off, I never had nor will own a knock off ANYTHING, that's trashy and illegal so don't blame me for giving you a look of disgust and not answering.
  • it's not so much the tourists that are the problem these days. its the Prolonged Tourists who came to NYC for college, or soon after, and never seemed to make it back to wherever-the-hell they came from. GO HOME ALREADY. your fat middle-american mother is calling you.

    also, when i see photos of her, i can imagine you looking like her in the future and it grosses me THE FUCK out.
  • This article seems like it was written by somebody who came from a village with a population of 50 and who had never been to any other city before going to NYC.
  • This IS so stupid. Whoever wrote this is very needy. You need eye contact when toasting?? Really?? And doesn't everybody in every city know to stand on the right on an escalator, walk on the left??? You're telling people how fast to ride their bikes?? The only tip that isn't moronic is the one that mentions Amsterdam.

    I've never been to NYC (although I did see it from a plane out of NJ! LOL) New Yorkers are rude so deal with it. People walk fast because they have some place to be, why do you care if they walk fast??? I suppose if you visited San Francisco, you'd tell them to stop being gay?

    Also, you're stupid for eating at Olive Garden. There's so many little restaurants with better Italian food, why go to Olive Garden?
  • Aaron Whitney
    I just visited new york from UK and really enjoyed my tripis an amazing city, but frankly New Yorkers are rude, from the woman who rudely pointed to the ticket machine in the subway when i simply asked where to buy a ticket, to the guy on  the subway yelling and swearing the train had stopped because some poor woman had near passed out and needed medical attention. All this in hand i find it unusual as the people I had gone to see are new yorkers and they are the loveliest people you could meet same with their family a little bit of a dichotomy there.. Rule of thumb is just dont ask anyone anything out on the street/subway and you will be fine
  • This list makes me want to choke a bitch.
  • your a mixed bunch some nice some nastyish, I mean the nice are are cool you know who you are, the nasty are kinda weird, with a churlish disposition towards swearing (cursing) and a big major in self-rightousness, still thats america the most tolerant liberal and the most conservative and bigoted, at the end of the day I'm in Brighton England and I'd love to visit your city.
  • Michelle Wright
    Don't say your food is the best in the world. Your deli, your cheese cake, and your bagels are indeed the best. However, your seafood leaves much to be desired. It's never fresh -- and how on earth can anyone ruin a steamed lobster? This is an abomination to Bostonians who really know their seafood. ;)
  • jacqueline66
    Either I've been here too long, or the food has gone downhill. I think more places are using pre-packaged foods now...
  • Florida girl here. THIS LIST IS SO DUMB! 
    1. I just spent an amazing 2+ weeks with my friend in her Brooklyn apartment for free.
    2. NYers don't smile at you because there are a LOT of weirdos. 
    3. ANYONE I met on the trains helped me get where I was going.
    4. NYers are not giving bad directions. You just aren't listening.
    5. It IS the greatest city in the world but no one says that.
  • wonderchimp5
    You're from Florida? Go back to Ohio!

    We have a new liberal policy here intended at invalidating the votes from   both Florida and Ohio.
  • Maegan Crandall
    This has nothing to do with NYC – people make mistakes everywhere they go. Expecting people to understand the mass transit of a foreign land is beyond ridiculous. Additionally, many of these points are considered common courtesy in all cities. Whether as a tourist or not, how can a person think that it’s perfectly fine to block an escalator or moving sidewalk? When people get on elevators or train cars without allowing me to exit first, I become downright murderous. Neglecting to tip unless there is a major issue isn’t respectable anywhere in the United States, or many foreign countries. On the other hand, unless I’m about to drop my takeout container and beverage, I hate to have doors opened for me. It seems like such a ridiculous custom, and, of course, as a female I am plagued by constant door opening.
  • As a tourist, I apologize for this fuckery.  I hope nobody who write this ever comes to Toronto -- I've had more doors held open for me in NYC than here.
  • Peanut_Butter
    I like Toronto.  Closest thing to NY that I've found.  I think you guys are cleaner, nicer and don't drive like assholes.
  • nntogo
    I've lived here a very long time and really, it wouldn't hurt all y'all to say "thank you" once in a while when someone holds a door open for you or any random nicety.
  • Peanut_Butter
    I usual don't have issues about this.  I'll get the occasional non-acknowledger, but I've gotten used to it and I don't make an issue.  Maybe they think it's chauvinistic.  Who knows nowadays?
  • Jeanne Henry
    "F*** you". Obviously. Any other answer is just too long.
  • Ephraim Miller
    Sorry tourists, the tipping thing is totally your fault, you are playing stupid if you don't tip, it's one of those common things you check out before visiting a foreign country...
  • Peanut_Butter
    If I was a waiter, and really didn't care for my job, and if I encountered a tourist feigning ignorance, I'd tell them that it's customary to tip at least 25% for average service, 30% for good service, and 40% for excellent service.
  • "Don't tell me I'm dumb for eating at the Olive Garden—I love breadsticks!"
    You're eating in a city that has some of the most diverse and delicious restaurants in the world. If you like breadsticks, I can name 3 good places off the top of my head that are probably better. If I went all the way to Paris but only ate McDonalds when I was there, I probably deserve some scorn.
  • jmaz98
    Don't tell me I'm dumb for eating at the Olive Garden—I love breadsticks

    I'll give you the benefit of the doubt if you're from overseas. But if you're from the US, you are dumb.
  • The main stumbling block is our diehard custom of civil inattention.   Helpful, polite or poor behavior relates to this first before anything else.  If you're not consciously familiar with how civil inattention plays out second-by-second, it's going to cause a bit of confusion.
  • Gothamist.... you're getting to be a waste of time!  All this stuff seems so made up and silly!
  • Ive Been to Amsterdam their now damn help either
  • How much more do the tourists want from us? NYC already overly caters to them at the expense of the people who live and work here.
  • Peanut_Butter
    Well, if you adopt the attitude that you treat your guests well in your home, sometimes even better than you treat yourself, then your premise, if true, would make perfect sense.
  • marco_esquandolas
    I don't go to France and tell the Parisians how to act.
  • Guest
    Perfectly stated.
  • To the tourists: ALWAYS get in the empty subway car at rush hour in August.
  • M
    What's that smell?
  • RammyH
    Subway Colors - because the same "color" will have different stops.  The Blue line - A,C,E - different stations.  I live in Brooklyn on a local stop, if I told a tourist to just grab a downtown Blue Line at 42nd St, odds are they'd wind up either down by Trade Center or they'd blow past my stop completely.  Just tell them exactly what train(s) will work.

    Eye contact while "clinking" - because I just paid $14 for my drink and I don't want any of the precious nectar spilling when we clink.  Also, NYC follows prison rules and we don't stare into each others eyes unless you want to fuck or fight.
  • Peanut_Butter
    Wait...I never heard about the clinking phenom.  In fact, I didn't know you were supposed to look at the other people while clinking.  Either way, I look at the glasses to make sure I clink with everybody else's.

    Like the "prison rule".
  • Sorry.. the opinion of someone that travels to NY only to eat at the Olive Garden is invalid...
  • angry_pickle
    Tourists go to Olive Gardens and McDonalds because they know what to expect.  The food will meet their expectations.  This is the complete opposite when you go into some random "native" restaurant where the food is farm animal feed.
  • Um, wasn't New York City ranked the most polite city in the world not too long ago?

    ...ah yes, it was.
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13...

    Just saying.
  • Peanut_Butter
    Geeetdafuggaddaheeere.  No way NY can top any friggin' random city in Japan.
  • phishyeel
    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13....  And now that I've held the door open for you, get the hell out of my way on the stairs down to the train and go fuck yuhself!
  • Sorry, I couldn't hear you, I was too busy living in the greatest city in the world.
  • But seriously. When a tourist books a trip to NYC, they should realize it is not Disney World, nor is it a Sandals resort. It's a real working city. Fast walkers and mean people are part of the culture. Don't tell us to change for you so you can enjoy your precious little vacation! (We certainly don't need to, as our tourist industry is doing just fine -- http://www.nycgo.com/articles/... )
  • I wish I could "like" this a hundred times.
  • Emmily_Litella
    Tourists aren’t bad people, or even dumb - but they sure do dress funny!  And every New Yorker is a tourist when travelling, remember.
  • human00001
    "Tell me where to buy counterfeit purses." 
    Screw this person. I'm not helping any aQ#$%oles steal IP in a city where so many people are employed by the (legitimate) fashion industry. I think this question is incredibly rude and you better bet I would not be polite to anyone asking me!

    And then there's this: 
    http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08...
  • JoanAngelson
    Every women in this city has bought a fake!
  • [EDIT] Oops, replied to the wrong post. But I agree with this too!
  • splicernyc
    Re: Escalators

    Is that so difficult? Maybe, just maybe, the few extra seconds I save getting up the escalator by walking make it possible for me to make a light on the corner of 6th & 42nd and then make the bus home. Yes, it would be nice to have a leisurely life and ride around without moving my feet -- go tell my boss who kept me late forcing me to waste more time getting home. I know tourists like to be touristy but can you please just get the fuck out of the way sometimes?
  • Maegan Crandall
    Seriously, your simple description of trying to catch the bus makes me frenetic and sick. Missing buses makes me want to slit my wrists.
  • Agreed. Tourists have lots of time to lazily walk around and enjoy the city (which they should) but I have things to do and places to go! Step aside!
  • JMH
    > Don't say I'm stupid for calling the subways by colors.

    But you ARE stupid.  There is no "green line" because the 4 and the 6 make different stops.

    > Don't tell me I'm dumb for eating at the Olive Garden—I love breadsticks!

    Once again, you ARE dumb.  There's nothing wrong with liking breadsticks, but why not eat them at home?  Why come all the way to New York, which has THOUSANDS of unique restaurants at all kinds of price points, and then eat food that you could have next week at home?

    > Don't cycle so fast in the bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge while I am trying to capture the skyline.

    Don't stand in the goddamn bike lane!  The other half of the path is all yours.

    > Tell me where to buy counterfeit purses.

    Chinatown.  Duh.
  • dustjacket
    if those chicks in the picture were actual tourists they would be wearing uggs
  • JoanAngelson
    Brooklyn hipster from Ohio! Go home.
  • 69GeorgeWBush69
    I bet you take up multiple subway seats
  • ixvnyc
    What's the point of visiting New York City if you don't experience some street rage? F--k off and come back soon!
  • nunyadamn
    Who doesn't make eye contact when toasting (that is the term for "clinking glasses")?  If you don't it is years of bad sex and NYers aren't gonna risk that.
  • I only found out about that like, last year!
  • There is always such a rush at the restaurants... as soon as somebody is
    done with eating they take away the plate, even if other people at the
    table are still eating.

    This made me laugh. One of my biggest gripes about dining in New York is that once they take your plates away, your servers will disappear, never revisiting your table to giving you a check. I don't understand it. I'm done. Give me the bill already, and don't make me chase you down for it.
  • After moving to New York, the utter inability to get the freakin' check already was the single biggest bit of culture shock I had.  It's like they expect you to just set up a tent and camp out for the night.  Now I feel rushed out the door anywhere else.
  • jacqueline66
    Strange but true. Would some waiter here please explain that to us? 

    Wouldn't it be in your best interest to try and sell us more food/drinks or give us a check within an hour after we are done. Why hold us hostage? Don't you want the tip and table? Some places will leave you sitting there, scratch that, many places will leave you sitting there for an hour before coming in earshot.
  • JAENE
    Dropping the check before the guest(s) has asked for it is often a matter of the restaurant policy. The idea is that it's a gesture to the guests that their meal is over, whether they have indicated this to the server or not. When eating out, sometimes I want to sit for a few minutes after I'm done without being interrupted every 5 minutes by a server who is very clearly trying to get rid of me. That being said, s/he should be available in some capacity, whether within in earshot or not. Not sure if everyone would agree with me here, but I think eye contact from across the room and a subtle gesture (you know, miming signing the check) is the best for both parties. The server doesn't have to interrupt your conversation multiple times just in case you're ready, and you don't have to wait until s/he serendipitously comes over at the exact moment you are ready to pay up and leave.
  • >Don't walk so fast! 

    God you are so slow, I actually live here & have to go places.

    >Don't say I'm stupid for calling the subways by colors.

    It was just weird!  But reasonable, you aren't stupid.

    >Don't tell me I'm dumb for eating at the Olive Garden—I love breadsticks!

    I take it back, you ARE stupid.  What is wrong with you?

    >Slow down! There is always such a rush at the restaurants... as
    soon as somebody is done with eating they take away the plate, even if
    other people at the table are still eating.

    We aren't on vacation, we actually have stuff to do.

    >At least make eye contact while “clinking glasses”!

    Okay, European guy.

    >Don't cycle so fast in the bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge while I am trying to capture the skyline.

    WE LIVE HERE.  What is confusing about that?  Dude is GOING somewhere.

    >Explain to us why the tipping in restaurants etc is the way it is in stead of getting angry if we tip less than you are used to.

    Wait, your courtesy advice is...that you don't know how to tip?  It is 20%.  There you go.
  • BoogieDown
    "New Yorkers are very exact on how you handle escalators. If you're
    standing the entire time you get in the line on the right side of the
    escalator, leaving a clear open isle on the left side so people can walk
    up faster."

    Please.  It seems as though the vast majority of people in this city view escalators as something that is there to move them while they lazily stand around, which is not their intended purpose.  I rarely stand on escalators (will only do so if I have luggage) and ALWAYS have to say "excuse me", oftentimes more than once, to New Yorkers standing on the left side.  In Europe, people understand how to handle escalators.  In New York, not so much.

    Also, it's spelled "aisle".
  • Wait, this isn't common knowledge? I'm originally from the SF Bay Area, where people are just as uptight about the "stand on the right, walk on the left" rule.
  • RadioGagarin
    Yeah, I'm from Europe and I always assumed choosing a side to stand and a side to walk on an escalator was pretty standard everywhere. It just seems like common sense.
  • Peanut_Butter
    NY drivers don't even know that driving on the right is the default and that you only pass on the left.  Why would pedestrians know any better?
  • UWS_CA
    i am a big proponent of this, and i think they're much better about it in london.
  • BoogieDown
    Seriously, this is like clockwork in London.  Sometimes I miss living there, particularly when I'm on an escalator.
  • Guest
    I think it's ridiculous that Americans are expected to respect and understand every nuance of cultures when we travel abroad. But, no one, Europeans in particular, takes the time to learn about ours. For some reason, they don't apply their own rules to themselves. Hypocrites.

     I don't have any respect for people who expect us to know every little detail about their culture, but, THEN, think they also have the right to tell us how to live... or whine that we haven't properly explained our culture to them. What a double standard.

    If you come to our country, our city, take some time to learn about how we live... JUST LIKE YOU EXPECT/DEMAND WE DO. As someone who has traveled extensively, and who is extremely considerate of other cultures, I am tired of hearing about the 'ugly American' stereotype. I have seen ugly people of every culture ... in their own countries... and right here in my city. Especially Europeans. Get off your high horse. Some of your people are louder, ruder and more disrespectful than any New Yorker I've ever met.

    And, stop taking pictures with flash in our museums when the sign says it's not allowed... we know you understand, and I know that you would be PISSED OFF if we didn't follow the rules in your museums.
  • Maegan Crandall
    Jesus Christ, lay off the Euros already. The Europeans I know carefully learn about and follow the customs of the places they visit. Not every single person from ONE CONTINENT is exactly the same. Shocker.
  • Sorailes
    While I don't know if Europeans get angry at us for not understanding their currency (though they should), I did want to share a pet peeve on being underprepared for travel, from my barista days:

    If you are going to a foreign country, figure out how the money works. While I tried to be patient with language barriers, I really wanted to draw the line at people holding out their hands full of change to me with this terrified look in their eyes. I would feel too shitty if I scammed them, but WHY would you invite someone to completely scam you?
  • RadioGagarin
    I'm a European living in NYC and I would never under-tip. I do live here rather than just visiting though, so I go to lengths to research stuff beforehand. I think in general these things always go both ways, there will always be unfortunate visitors from anywhere around the globe. (I'm from Ireland so I've had so suffer no end of annoying American tourists, but they're not annoying because they're American, Americans are just the majority of tourists we receive.)
  • Guest
    I loved Ireland. Fantastic country and people. I'd love to live there, actually.
  • RadioGagarin
    I'm glad and proud to be from Ireland and I would never want to change where I'm from, but I can't stand living there, at least not at the moment (even though I have to go back, soon, for a year). I definitely couldn't spend the rest of my life there even if you paid me. You can swap with me if you like.
  • ixvnyc
    I don't often (or ever) support anti-European rants, but seriously: the tipping thing must be in every damn travel guide. Ignorance is not an excuse.
  • JoanAngelson
    Tipping is stupid in our country.
  • ixvnyc
    I know a lot of people from Europe (being one of them myself), and every single one of them who has ever been to US will tell you that service is much better here at all levels (and in all ways). We must be doing something right here.
  • Guest
    Great. Go back there. Now I understand why you think my comment was 'anti-European' -- you are being defensive. When I visit European countries, I do not tell the people there how to act. Likewise, if people from other countries do not want to experience our culture for what it is they should not come here.
  • ixvnyc
    Are you stupid or something? I just said that America is better than Europe! Why should I go back there? Who are you to tell me that? Piss off!
  • Guest
    No, I am not stupid... you wrote a poor sentence. You can say nasty things to me and call names, but doing so just supports my point.

    If someone doesn't like it here, I suggest they move on... there are so many wonderful places in the world, it doesn't make sense to spend time where you are unhappy.
  • Guest
    You've missed my point. My comment is not anti-European. I love Europeans, in general. However, I dislike when any people of any nationality have such specific advice for others, but do not follow that advice themselves.
  • BoogieDown
    Don't fret.  Jen Carlson (i.e. the one who made all these up) is American.
  • Most Europeans understand the concept of American gratuity, but assume that since they are Europeans, they can get away without tipping just because they aren't expected to. They're Europeans, not retards; its not ignorance, its arrogance.
  • With regards to directions, I don't think its a matter of people not knowing as much as intentionally lying to throw you off.
  • PlumNYC
    I know people who do this on purpose, all the time.
  • Guest
    - "Don't act like you don't recognize me when we graduated from East Bumfuck High School together. And why is your hair purple?"
  • tsol
    If only most New Yorkers walked fast. Every day I'm blocked by short, pokey women waddling along the subway platform, the steps, the sidewalk. They're not tourists, they're dressed for work and they are everywhere, like human speedbumps. The worst is when two of them are next to each other going up steps in the subway stations.
  • PlumNYC
    Um, you got a problem with short women???? HUH?  I'm blocked my slow walkers of many shapes & sizes.  I forgive the elderly and handicapped, although in the back of my mind I think, you really shouldn't be walking up/down the stairs, especially during rush hour.

    But my absolutely biggest peeve are the mothers who decide that their toddler needs to walk up or down the steps on their own during rush hour. Pick your damn troll up and carry it woman, I need to get to work!
  • JoanAngelson
    So true!
  • Yeah, but he's right, it's usually short, stout women (maybe you're not stout). A lot of the time they walk right next to each other . . . clearly going to work, so they're not tourists . . . it happens all over NY, every day.  It must happen elsewhere too, because there was a Dilbert strip about it years ago. Maybe you can do humanity a favor & speak to the offenders at your next conference.

    Here's that Dilbert strip by the way:
    http://dilbert.com/strips/comi...
  • Hand them a brochure from Weight Watchers..... how rude of them to "waddle".
  • PlumNYC
    Hahahahahaha, that's a good strip. Actually I'm not thin. I know what you're saying though, it annoys me too. I've always been a fast walker and when I see other heavy people who walk slow it annoys me, it's like, come on fat ass hurry the hell up, you're the last one that needs to be walking up the stairs slowly. And then to boot, if the stairwell is kind of empty, they walk right up the middle and you can't get by either side of them. So freaking annoying. I've just taken to pushing people.
  • Cat1982
    fat women do walk slow, its probably part of the reason why they are fat.
  • JoanAngelson
    That's just plain stupid. Tall women in heels aren't walking any faster.
  • Exactly! Tall attractive women are worse because tall atractive women slow the pace of every1 on the block when men slow up to admire the view. Fat ugly pig women just get in the way as we try to get by them and erase what we've seen from our minds as quickly as possible.
  • vertigone
    Seriously, rush hour is not the time for your spawn to be a "big girl/boy"
  • ennuipoet
    When I came to New York for the first time, I  bought a map!  Now you've got GPS trackers in your pocket, use IT!   I LIVE here and when I go to a place I don't know my way around, I USE A MAP!  And don't stand in front of a subway entrance and ask me where the Subway is, look around, it's right there!
  • JoanAngelson
    Go back to Ohio!
  • HJaySimpson
    How about an "Etiquette Tips for New Yorkers by New Yorkers?"

  • TheOtherBob
    Well, no -- because here's how it would go:  "Hey, how about you shove your etiquette up your ass, buddy."
  • Rosser1
    The reply: "Fuck you too, asshole!" And then both citizens forget anything ever happened and peacefully go about their day.
  • Professor Von Nostren
    Why is it rude to walk fast?  Get out of my way!

    If we're supposed to be proud of our city, then why can't we say it's the greatest in the world?

    Maybe if visitors took note of our complaints about them, they'd find the natives to be friendlier...
  • Sure, I'll walk slowly.  Will you come with me and explain to my boss why I'm late to work?
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