I'm a born and bred New Yorker, not the kind that move to the city in their twenties. Yes, there's a difference. I've lived in several US cities and countrysides. True New Yorkers are often the warmest, in your face friendliest, slap you on the back, people in the country. I'm glad you felt that too.
I thought about you as I wrote this! Native New Yorkers as you describe them and as I've experienced remind me of native Montanans, and that feels cools.
New Yorker here (who has also been to, and enjoyed, Montana several times). Here is the ironclad rule of crossing streets in NYC that all locals follow whether they articulate it or not:
1. If I cross now, will I die?
2. If no, cross. If yes, wait.
Nothing else comes into consideration unless you reach the edge of the street, but a parent is there telling a toddler “we have to wait for the light to turn green.” Then we wait to set an example.
Nice, Nick. I love the ironclad things that all locals of a place just know. What you share about the unspoken social contract of supporting a parent teaching a toddler to wait for green is powerful.
I loved this, Emily! I have lived in NYC for 15 years and adjacent to it for 13 more. I could not agree more with all your observations - New Yorkers are wonderful! As for the cows, I would love to see them here!
I'm a born and bred New Yorker, not the kind that move to the city in their twenties. Yes, there's a difference. I've lived in several US cities and countrysides. True New Yorkers are often the warmest, in your face friendliest, slap you on the back, people in the country. I'm glad you felt that too.
I thought about you as I wrote this! Native New Yorkers as you describe them and as I've experienced remind me of native Montanans, and that feels cools.
It’s why we get along!
New Yorker here (who has also been to, and enjoyed, Montana several times). Here is the ironclad rule of crossing streets in NYC that all locals follow whether they articulate it or not:
1. If I cross now, will I die?
2. If no, cross. If yes, wait.
Nothing else comes into consideration unless you reach the edge of the street, but a parent is there telling a toddler “we have to wait for the light to turn green.” Then we wait to set an example.
Nice, Nick. I love the ironclad things that all locals of a place just know. What you share about the unspoken social contract of supporting a parent teaching a toddler to wait for green is powerful.
What's taken you to Montana?
Lived for a few years in SW Idaho when I was a teen. So sightseeing a neighboring state.
I can see the Cindy-Lou-Who resemblance.
Good to know! Which version?
The little one! But in a cute way, not the pig-nose, lol
I loved this, Emily! I have lived in NYC for 15 years and adjacent to it for 13 more. I could not agree more with all your observations - New Yorkers are wonderful! As for the cows, I would love to see them here!