Here's the thing. People advise about the stopping in the sidewalk/getting in the way thing ALL THE TIME. If you've made it to the city without learning that, I feel justified in being annoyed. I'm not expecting people to know to be in the first five cars of the 1 train. I'm expecting them to know rule #1.
And also, being annoyed, mocking, or checking with my shoulder or umbrella? Not a death sentence. The punishment fits the crime, and I feel zero guilt about it. I've been in other places where I've certainly been mocked for my ignorance, and I deserved it. It's not a huge deal.
You would expect that people coming to NY would have learned the difference between an express and a local train, but no.
In Chicago the annoyance is very localized. Every time I walk up Michigan ave north of the river I remember why I
never ever do that.
Outside of that stretch, it's a lot less traumatic. In DC, it was mostly around the metro that got tough. Which all goes to reinforce Jessica's point, that it's the areas where a busy local scene intersect with masses of tourists, and where they impact your mobility, that are the sore points. Outside of that I don't much care one way or another.
The other place that the tourist slagging comes up, I think, is when you see the masses all lined up and blocking the sidewalk in order to get into something like the Cheesecake Factory. Which is probably still unfair, but I think most locals wherever you are more welcoming to people who seem to have some interest in things that make the city unique, or are at least aware that mega-chains aren't it.
I had two people ask me about the trains in NYC. I'll take that as a sign that I blended.
Heh. The times I've been asked directions (as opposed to seeing people look confused, and taking pity, which I've done many times as a resident of DC), I've never been sure if I look like a native, or just like a tourist who knows what she's doing/has maps. I mean...I got asked by a nun, in Paris, where the library was. But I doubt I looked Parisian...
What did you end up ordering?
I got the bacon, cheddar, and scallion omelet with potatoes. It also came with grapes and slices of pineapple. If we go back, I think I will eventually work my way through their menu.
I got asked by a nun, in Paris, where the library was.
Is it possible it was the only French she knew? "Ou est la bilbiotheque?" is a pretty time-honored phrase from high school French courses.
I wonder how you say "nun" in French.
It could be worse. I can't even get the "natives" here to move out of the way so I can get on the train. Le sigh.
ETA: A nun is a "religieuse", which is also the name of a tasty cream-puff pastry.
You would expect that people coming to NY would have learned the difference between an express and a local train, but no.
Hey, I have no idea what the difference is, and I've been to NY.
(OK, I was there with my NY host, so she took me to see places without me experiencing the wonders of getting lost).
But I was almost angry at people with Israeli t-shirts (that's to say, shirts in Hebrew that you only get to see in Israel. Like "end of combat course, December 2004"). You're going to a new part of the world. Try new things, not your brother/boyfriend's shirts!
