Every city in the world has a specific set of unspoken rules, and New York City is no different. Whether you’re in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, or the Bronx, they all have similar rules of thumb. We learned most of these things the hard way living in NYC all of our lives, but if you’re new to the city, you’ll have it easier if you read our set of rules and fun trivial facts.
Feel free to submit us your unwritten manual ideas. Visit our submission page for more information.
Oh and have a sense of humor. Not all of the stuff here is intended to be serious!
November 2009 entries:
Entry #11
No, we do not see celebrities’ everyday in the city. Do you see us asking you if ya see farmer’s everyday in your rural town?
It's just a redundant question... seriously. The city might be home to celebrities, but what place in this nation (or the world as a matter of a fact) isn't home to a celebrity? Besides, what's the big hype with wanting to know where a celebrity lives? Sounds a bit stalkerish to us if you wanna know where that celebrity lives. And even if you did know who lives in NYC, what difference would that make? It's not like they would want a visit from you... they're humans too and appreciate privacy.
Entry #332
Magazines like "The New Yorker" and "Time Out New York" does not totally cover everyone's interest within the city.
Just because they're named with such titles doesn't mean all New Yorkers like it, nor does it mean it covers all of NYC's culture. The New Yorker is a nice upscale magazine for high class NYC, but it's nothing like the "typical" New Yorker's life.
Entry #553
You think you’re getting an authentic Chanel bag from that street dealer from Canal Street, but you’re actually getting a “Channel” bag.
So if you ever been to Canal Street in the Tribeca/Chinatown section of Manhattan, you see many street vendors. They sell a ton of shit, most of it not even legit. Just because they tell you it's an authentic brand name product doesn't mean they're telling the truth... they just wanna make a crisp buck off of you. We ain't saying that they probably don't have authentic stuff, but seriously, would you trust a person whose wearing a "Nikke" hat to sell you an "authentic" Chanel bag?
Entry #276
Learn from Eddie Murphy’s mistake: “Queens” is not a place where you’ll find an actual queen.
If you've seen the now classic 1988 movie "Coming To America" starring Eddie Murphy, you know what we're talking about.
Entry #244
If someone in the city says they're from Jamaica, or that they're going to visit Jamaica, more than likely they're not talking about the country.
People in the city usually talk about where they live/or are heading to not by boroughs, but by their neighborhood. So when someone says they're heading to Jamaica, they're talking about Jamaica, Queens. This can also be applied to the MTA trains which read on their marquee "Jamaica" (like the E, F, J or Z trains)... misleading, we know. It's no trip to paradise.
Entry #501
Why yes, Williamsburg, Brooklyn is not only the hipster Mecca of New York City, but also of the world.
Hipsters love Williamsburg... but why? Well, Williamsburg is a very artful community, and is home to a lot of independently owned businesses, like indie record shops and Asian eateries. Hmmm... seems to make sense to why hipsters crawl to Williamsburg. But the hipster capital of the world? Seems hard to believe but one trip on the L train line at the Bedford Ave stop would make you realize this may be true. So if you're a hipster (even though you won't admit it... you are!) or identify with the hipster lifestyle, Williamsburg is your neighborhood... or you can try Greenpoint or Bushwick is Williamsburg has no vacancy.
Entry #313
The G train line within the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) is the only major train in all of NYC which does not ever enter Manhattan like all the other trains do. The G train travels from Brooklyn straight into Queens.
The G train line has gotta be the most awkward train in the MTA system... it has a low ridership, trains are half the size of regular trains, has a lime green signage, and doesnt enter Manhattan? We suppose you won't find tourist on this train.
Entry #20
We experience all 4 seasons in the big city.
NYC is home to all that's cold & snowy, as well as hot & sweaty. If you're planning to stay within NYC for more than 6 months, bring a full wardrobe of clothing with ya to be prepared for the unpredictable weather. To some, this might be a downside to living in the city, but for people who never experience all four seasons from where ever they come from, this is a great thing. For us personally, we like it, but it can be a bit tight on our wallets because we need specific clothing for certain seasons. Bummer.
