I always take the subway. As a railfan, As a Brooklynite, As a New Yorker . The trains are fine. The subways are cleaner. They are mopped at the last stop of the line. One tip people should know is at the middle of the platform look for the black stripped bar and cameras. That area is where the conductor is at . Another area is go to the front of the platform that is where the motorman or motorwoman is at. They have radios that they can keep in contact with dispatchers if something happens. Stay safe
I do that too if its not during a busy time. u can also look for the windows they use to slide open. New trains have one end of the car that has black paint. Easiest just look for a dude sticking his head out the window lol.
If you routinely ride the subway, you’ll get a feel for the car that’s closest to the street exit at your stops. This will save you a lot of time.When walking, use your peripheral vision, but focus directly over the top of peoples heads, fixing your gaze well ahead of you. Stride purposely. (these are effective anti phone zombie tactics) Don’t stand off the sidewalk in the ped crossing. Delivery trucks turning the corner will use you for traction. NEVER walk along with your hands in your pockets. Only execudroids and out of towners do that, both prime targets for the dummy hunters.
And DEFINITELY for New Yorkers being friendly. IMO, New Yorkers are some of the most helpful people out there. We might ignore 99% of things because we're busy and have places to be/things to do, but when it comes down to it, we are VERY helpful/nice.
Harlem 125th Street Metro North Railroad Station has a nice view looking down towards Midtown. Also the thing about saying good morning/talking to strangers reminded me of the scene from Coming To America where Eddie Murphy shouts "GOOD MORNING MY NEIGHBOURS" 🤣
A tourist guide told us that hotels were legally required to let anyone use their bathrooms. That is why we never had any trouble finding a bathroom in New York.
@@rocketraccoon1976 I wouldn't know if it was law or not, it was information given by our tourist guide at the time and we just put the advice to use and never needed to use a dirty Starbucks or Macca's bathroom after that.
Originally from LI -- I moved to VA and would tell people that if you just walk confidently like you're supposed to be there, 9 times out of 10, people won't question you and they would always freak out but it DOES work. I lived in the city for 2 years. Great tips!
This is how I have crashed many a high priced benefit, ball or show. I have literally been doing it for years. Just “look the part” and do it with “confidence”. Rarely does anyone question your intent upon entry. On the occasion it does, just politely apologize and walk away. 😉
saying Hi to strangers in big cities is interesting. London is somewhat the same. I heard this story from a man who lived in the north of England. He married a London woman and took her home to meet the folks. While there she noticed everybody on the streets saying hello to her husband as they walked by them. She was getting angry. She asked, "Why are you not introducing me to these people. He said, "Because I don't know them." Percy Walker had a similar story in his novel "The Last Gentleman." Thank for the tour. It is nice to see New York on video rather than films or tv. Wish you success.
If the two of you are riding up/down an escalator, don't stand next to each other. Have one of you stand in front or behind the other so people are able to pass you.
Yes! Don's say Hello or greet. I had a cousin from the south who though I was rude for not saying hello to people on the street. And Yes, southerns always say hello to you. I lived in Atlanta and I picked that up and had to stop when I returned to NYC area. LOL
Excellent video! I live 35 miles from the city in NJ. You were spot on with all the tips! I loved your empty subway car reference and the tip about never stopping in the middle of the sidewalk!
As someone who is not from the United States tipping culture kind of annoys me. I have no problem doing it since it is the culture but a company not paying their employees a livable wage is insane to me.
Our rule of thumb for picking restaurants when traveling: "if it's in Times Square, don't go there" 😂 (i.e. skip the chains and try the unique local spots!)
As a New Yorker now living in Texas, I still say "How-stun". I just can't get it out of my head and mouth. I get a lot of weird looks...but then I just say "Good morning, y'all!" and they are like, "Yee-haw!"
Thank you for the don't be afraid to visit The Bronx snippet. I live in The Bronx and I feel like it is underappreciated. The Zoo, New York Botanical Garden, Pelham Bay Park, Orchard Beach, Authur Ave., Bronx River, Mufungo, and so much more to appreciate here. It is a great place to be and deserves more love. Just avoid the bad parts and you'll be fine.
These all make perfect sense to me, so thank you for spelling them out. As a now ex New Yorker (but not in my heart!) all totally valid tips! And many of them go for most major cities in the US. Certainly most are valid here in San Francisco, and many such as the lowball tipping or stopping in the middle of the sidewalk (tourist or resident) are pet peeves of a lot of folks!
FIRST 😁 Bella is so cute! Thank you for including her 😍 Another good tip video! I remember some of these from a previous video. **I think I’m blind, I don’t see the link for the cruise 🤔 Hotel Bathrooms, awesome idea. I recently heard about the sit or squat app, haven’t used yet. We should tell people: Walking in NY, think of it as driving in traffic, you do not want to stop abruptly, move to the side. As always I love your videos! They helped me before I moved to NY and even now that I live here.
Another subway tip, dont sit before looking at seat. There may be a puddle from leaking ac or water from heavy rain blowing in on trains that go above ground at some stops or wet umbrellas. Sometimes other riders will warn you but dont rely on that.
Great video! I really appreciate the tip about staying in Long Island City vs. Manhattan. Also, I have been to New York many times, and often people are in a rush, but when they're not, I've found New Yorkers to be lot friendlier than people from Connecticut, where I live.
I think New Yorkers are used to dealing with so many people they have struck a balance between friendlyness and curtness. With so many people around you can’t afford to over engage in pleasantries and slow people down throughout their day, or make awkward eye contact with 50 strangers on your way to the 7-11. At the same time though, having to deal with so many people they are also really good at being helpful, charming, and just dealing with people in the most appropriate way cause they’ve had to adapt to people and dealing with them amicably but also sternly when necessary
In the Before Times, I would go into cafes or restaurants with my most people-pleasing voice and say, "hi! how are you? if I buy something, could I use your bathroom?" Almost always, they will say, "no no that's fine! you can just use it". Occasionally someone will say, "sure, what would you like?" And I'll get something small like a dessert to go or a shot, but usually they would just let me use it without having to buy anything
Sometimes there's an empty car because the AC is out. It's not always something nefarious. I 've taken a hot car home many times because then I don't care if I sweat. Great way to get a seat.
Hey Sarah! I watched this video earlier and it was very helpful!! We are visiting NYC now and we needed to use restroom in Times Square last night, so I tried your advice. I walked into a random hotel we found and asked confidently one of hotel staffs where the restroom is, and it worked!!! My husband just followed me and he was so surprised that the hotel staff let us in without any hesitations!! I am so grad that I watched your video! Thank you, Sarah!!! We are enjoying NYC so much!
Just found out your channel & I instantly fell in luv w/ its content. You sound so sweet, captivating and straight-to-the-point. Keep bringing us more videos like this one. My biggest life dream is to go and visit NYC, and knows who, maybe, live over there!
Probably $80 for a good hotel during Covid and hotels have been cheaper in the city during covid as well. Just checked and you can get a decent hotel in midtown for around $124
This. If it's your first time visiting NYC stay in Manhattan. It will make it so much more of a "NYC experience". But more importantly staying somewhere centrally located provides easy accessibility to most spots. She's just pushing LIC hotels b/c she herself lives in LIC.
Bella is so cutee! I did the first one lol, stayed in midtown, the reason is i was in the heart, i felt that it was easier for me walking place to place. The hotel was at 280. You do make great points, especially a better view if you dont stay in Manhattan. I might try a better one this time👏🏼 Also Yes, in Kentucky, when you pass by some people, people do say good morning, i do it if they make eye contact with me haha. Always Loving your videos and recommendations, hoping to explore more next time, especially Roosevelt Island, Brooklyn, Queens💙
Gotta represent the kiddos!!! :) when we are back in NYC we will get the kids together. Or basically leave the kids with our 15 year old and we all explore the city and a bar or three :)
@@SarahFunky why did u do that to me Sarah I liked u. U completely blocked me on Instagram. I ended moving to Eugene Oregon. Why try me like that I'm confused
I lived in nyc and In South Carolina and North Carolina where I moved briefly everyone waves hello. Literally on a walk and in the car. The hand waves to every person u pass and give a head nod and verbal hello. It’s a strong cultural shift
Waiters go ballistic if you under tip. They straight up harass you and get up in your face demanding a proper tip which is insane. One time I genuinely made a mistake calculating the tip and put in the wrong tip amount (undertipped)...I left the restaurant and the waiter chased me two blocks down telling me that I gave him the wrong amount for the tip. I rarely eat out nowadays because of tax, tip, covid fee and some places in the winter had a heating fee. It all really adds up. I know restaurants are going through rough times but it's too much.
That is because of the tip/tax/wage rules out there. The owners expect you to pay a portion of the tipped workers wage. If they don’t make a specific amount then the owner has to cover it. It’s outrageous and needs to be abolished, but that is the way it is. It is this way in many, many states. If your tips do not add up to cover minimum wage then the boss has to cover it up to that wage, that said, from what I understand, if you make over minimum wage, then a portion of your own tips makes up that minimum wage difference. Again, it’s insidious, but it is their reality.
What a cute baby. You are truly a New Yorker regarding the subway, hotel restroom and public manner. I have done the same with the hotel restroom. I just pretend going to a meeting room; that's usually where the restroom is located.
It's so true that New Yorkers are not rude , we asked a woman the direction of Washington square park and she helped us by walking with us to the park which she was headed in the same direction. I want this awful pandemic to be over soon so i can visit the Big Apple again, Love from Saudi Arabia.
I live in Georgia, and yes, we tend to speak or nod when we pass or make eye contact with other people. But I'd never do that in NYC! These are great tips, thank you for the video. Little Bella is A-DORABLE!!!! Babies always make videos awesome!!!
Back when I used to live in NYC, whenever I took the subway when I saw an empty car and the rest of the train has people on it, either the air conditioning was not working, or the homeless used it as a mobile bathroom and bedroom.
Hi, Sarah. Your presentation and your communication skills are excellent (First class). Congratulations on your re-introduction of New York City to the HALL OF FAME. - Muchas gracias..!
I've been going for walks around my hometown in NJ fir several years now. About two months ago I got the idea to start walking around and visiting New York City. And as a result, I find your videos very helpful. Thanks Sarah.
I am from NJ but have lived in Austin, TX for 18 years now. Moving my daughter to NYC in September. Even here in Texas though, saying a quick good morning to people is fine, even appreciated, as long as you keep-it-movin'. I would get really creeped out if someone slowed down or stopped to say good morning. You can take the girl out of the east coast but you...you know the rest. Thanks, fun video and lots of good tips. Going to reach out for a private tour.
I live in Downtown Manhattan and I’m always making eye contact with people in our neighborhood, talking to them even if they are strangers. The good, the great and homeless. Plenty of each group are no longer strangers to me. And I generally get a very positive response. Sometimes even grateful that someone is just reaching out, as a member of the community. As an immigrant that feels like a very American experience to me. But then I do have a slightly plumy British accent, so maybe I get perceived differently by other New Yorkers than someone with an American accent would? Hat said Sarah is absolutely right, New Yorkers are by and large a friendly crowd and posses a great deal more generosity of spirit than the stereotype has awarded them. All I’m saying is that whilst it’s probably best to avoid too much random eye contact there is no need to go around New York feeling paranoid and, most important, it’s perfectly OK to smile!
Hi Sarah you’re videos are my number one go to when planning nyc trips. Can’t wait to visit again this year :) so excited as I LOVED every minute of it on my honeymoon. Thank you xxx
I just went to NYC in April 2021, and the bathroom trick may not work in all hotels now due to covid. The Marriott Marquis, as an example, which was always one of my bathroom stops, now requires you to show your hotel card key. The new norm I suppose....
I normally talk about the best things to do in NYC but today I'm covering the "don'ts" of the city! What would you say is a "don't" of NYC? Thank you Lemonade Renters Insurance for sponsoring this video! Don't forget to get renters insurance when living in the city! Lemonade is super easy to use and starts at $5/mo! They can hook you up here: www.lemonade.com/renters/?
Sarah, I have been binge watching your channel since I recently discovered it. I wish I would of had all this information for my last trip pre pandemic to NYC. You are the best and I can’t wait to book with your Tour company on my next visit! Congrats to both of you on the new baby. 42,000 for delivery yikes. Love your channel !
The eye contact one. New York and London has similarities within the code of behaviour. And the fast pace when walking on a busy day to work. People leave a gap on the side of the escalators for other persons rushing to catch the train. It's mad!😂 Thank You for the lovely video. Loved it!🙋
When I was in London I was surprised by the frequency of eye-contact, especially from the women. London and NYC feel like opposites to me in a lot of ways.
Great tip about underestimating the amount of walking - we came back from our trip having walked well over 30 miles in just four days! I think the warning about Midtown hotel prices is valid but it depends what your expectations are. We stayed at Pod 51 in East 51st and it was more than adequate just for sleeping and was around $80 a night in mid August with a private bathroom, so cheaper options are out there if you shop around
