This City really never sleeps

I know everyone has heard New York City referred to as, “The City that Never Sleeps”, but that is so true! I had no idea that life really does carry on like normal well into the wee hours of the morning.

I’m not sure why, but people in New York always seem much busier than people in Oklahoma. Some of them really are, and others I think just like acting busy to keep up with those around them. The reason doesn’t matter though, the fact that the majority of people here choose such a fast pace lifestyle forces the businesses to keep up! Whether you want a nice sit down meal, a full spa treatment, or some personal shopping, time really is not a factor here-all can be done 24 hours a day! When I first got here I thought all of that was completely unnecessary, if people in Oklahoma can find time to get their hair cut before 6pm, then people anywhere can. However, something about this city sweeps you away and before you know it, the only time you have time to eat is 11:30 at night, and if you have more options than McDonald’s you might as well take it. There really are some great benefits to having access to so many servies

Different strokes for different folks

“New Yorkers are so RUDE!!” was something I heard over and over when I made the decision to move here. And, when I first got here, I thought my friends back home were right! In Oklahoma people are openly friendly and welcoming (for the most part), and when two people make eye contact, a smile or wave is considered normal. That is not the case here. People like to keep to themselves and carry on their business with little or no interference from others, this includes smiling. I got so offended by their cold demeanor in my first few weeks here and swore I would never lose my southern hospitality and act like them. That is, until I learned why they put on such a rough look. Dealing with the large groups of people all day, everyday, is tiring! It would be hard to smile at every person on the street you make eye contact with, so it just becomes natural to not smile. Also, there is a great number of scam artists in the city and if you look inviting, they will pounce on you with a clever scheme to get your money. And, as I’ve mentioned before, the locals get really tired of dealing with clueless tourists, so if they look like they don’t want to be approached, it will help keep others away. For the most part, the people here are just as friendly as the people at home, they just take a little longer to warm up.

The Pro’s and Con’s of Tourism

One of the biggest differences between New York City and Tulsa is the amount of tourism. While I’m not sure if Tulsa really gets any tourism at all, NYC has mass amounts of it everyday. At times it can get annoying, but I’ve learned that it can be used in your favor. Now I know how to beat tourism, where to go to avoid it, and when to embrace it. 

The best way to deal with the tourism in New York City is to think like a tourist. Be familiar with all the tourist hotspots and know what times these places are more popular. For example, the restaurant Serendipity 3, popular after being shown in several movies and hosting well-known celebrities, can have lines over two hours long. However, the small cafe is famous for deserts so making a trip in winter cuts the wait almost in half. Also, avoid typical meal times to decrease the wait- most busy tourists aren’t going to take time out of their day to sit down for a mid-afternoon snack. 

Sometimes the high numbers of confused visitors does become annoying and it’s necessary for my sanity to get away from it all. There are sections of New York that attract far less out-of-towners than others, but still have plenty to do and see. Places like Greenwich Village, Little Italy, and Tribecca are a little quieter than places like Times Square. Each area still has it’s own personality and can be really fun if you know what to do. Also, popular places like Battery Park calm down quite a bit after the ferry to the Statue of Liberty stop for the day, but that goes back to knowing when places are the busiest. 

Even though tourists can be annoying and in the way, at times I find myself acting like a tourist, and that’s okay! I’ve learned that being the tourist can be fun and exciting. Having picnics in Central Park and gorgeous afternoons and spending a Friday night in the middle of the rush of Times Square are always exciting and great for people watching. There are a million opportunities for great pictures and no matter how many times I visit each location, it’s different each time I go.