TV and movies have gave me the image of the average New Yorker. Working at day, cigarrette and coffee break, beer with your friends at the evening… The people here are used to the glamour, the hurried crowd, the blinding lights, the huge bildings… It’s easy to get lost in a city like this, not only because it’s a really big city, but it’s also a scary city… So, new yorkers must know how to deal with all these situations, to face their fear to survive in this jungle. The average new yorker should be aware of everything that happens around him or her. Here, you have to know how to behave: laws are very strict, you have to obey them if you don’t want ti be fined ir, even worst, end up in jail…
So, a common new yorker is like in movies, but what movies don’t tell us, is that there are many local rules of behavior that you must know When you live here… All this things you can only learn by living in New York.
NYC Living: Academic Writing Style 
My image of a typical a New Yorker has being changing through the days in Manhattan.
I used to think that they, all, used to wear fashion clothes and were running all the time. But since a week ago, I can say that the image is kind of blurred now. For example, a regular person that lives in New York could be either the lady that wears a nice skirt and blouse with her comfortable sandals or running shoes in the subway or the black skin guy playing jazz in Central Station. Both for me, today, can describe a person who lives in New York.
A typical New Yorker is that person that can love and hate the city the same day. Also, it is a person that appreciates time and relaxation. For a typical person living in New York, sharing the same sit in the subway or bus with more than three different cultures or countries is like to watch the sunrise every day.
LikeLike
What is a typical human of New York? That’s a good question. I have already been living in NYC for 32 days. During my time here as a student at ILSC I noticed some common features almost all New Yorkers have.
I want to share with you five ideas about what a typical human of NY is for me.
So, after all this time here, I can say that the most common feature can be noticed on the subway. People are very assertive and, in many cases, aggressive and rude there. It’s no wonder because the city is overcrowded: native New Yorkers, immigrants, transplants and, of course, tourists. In the morning when you get on the subway you and other people try to justle through a crowd. And, finally, when you are on the train, packed like sardines in a can, try not to touch people (how is that possible?) or there’s going to be a lot of heat and trouble! Also you should try to avoid eye contact (I often look at people because I’m curious about their style, behaviour and attitude to others. All these things attract me!). But when I’m on new NY subway the only thing I should remember is: “Don’t look in the eyes, don’t do it!” Besides that, you hear “excuse me” and “I’m sorry” everywhere. Hmm… a human of New York seems to be polite! But the only question that was in my mind since I came here is: “Why do you apologize all the time? We are on equal terms!” But they keep using this polite form everywhere (even if it’s not their fault). Now, after some time, it seems to me, I begin to understand why they do it, it’s called “personal space”. Actually, it would never have occurred to me (if I’m not guilty) in Russia. Unfortunately or not, we don’t care so much about our personal space in my country.
As a real New Yorker you often buy breakfast( i.g. bagels or whatever) in a food truck which is on your way to work. Obviously. And every person should have a must-have coffee or ice tea from Starbucks. That’s essential!
Another common feature is, believe it or not, people in New York don’t have outlets at home! Most of them prefer to spend their time at Starbucks (again) charging their phones. Weirdos!
Moreover, I’ve got the general idea that humans in New York don’t care a damn for their health. To cross a road in the wrong place or to jaywalk is not out of line. That’s an accepted standard!
I can talk a lot about what an ordinary human of NYC is for me but these common features, mentioned above, are at every turn.
LikeLike
Interesting point of view. With these description I can close my eyes and see a typical New Yorker walking on the streets, bying his coffee at Starbucks, eating a salad at lunch or with his bad mood early in the morning on the subway.
On the other hand, they usually say I’m sorry and excuse me as Khris said but I don’ t know if they really sorry or if it is just a costumary way and phrase of their day by day.
Also, I noticed a weird thing, young people normaly don’t give their seats on the subway to elderly people. We frequently do in Brazil.
LikeLike
I think that as a tourist, sometimes or most of the times is hard to understand which is the right way to behave in big city like New York.
The most important thing I will highly say is that New York is a huge and complicated city, but once you become someone that lives here you can understand many things about New Yorkers.
You will understand why they care about time, uselfulness things and drink coffee.
Dependiente on the purpose of your trip you will either love or hate the city that never sleeps
LikeLike
Fran, you raise a good point. I agree that people “talk” to strangers in passing, but I also wonder how much thought people place in their words. If someone bumps into me, for example, and says “sorry,” is that just a reflex, or does the person really feel sorry? Sometimes, it is hard to know.
LikeLike
I am here in New York just for four days and for me it still being like in the movies. Everything that I see around the city reminds me of some scene. It is also a strange feeling because I have never been here before and it seems like I know every corner of the city.
Of course I am so wrong about that. Sometimes I catch myself having to put my feet on the ground and just see beyond the movies lens. But until now I am not disapoint with any New Yorker or with the city.
I just so excited about everything and just trying to enjoy it as hard as I can.
LikeLike