How do you spot a NYC tourist? (New York, York: shop, stations)

[LynnePatrice]

I work on 34th St and 6th Ave. (Need I say more)

As crowded as the streets are around here (Empire St Bldg., Macy's) I always see people standing in the sidewalk and all of the sudden they will point at something and nearly poke a passerby in the eyeball.

Happens to me at least 3x per week.

Don't POINT on a crowded street!

[JuliaHuff]

]Don’t generalize tourists, please! They come from all over the world, not only Midwest, maybe you can spot some American tourist, but not everyone. When I visited NY as a tourist, I did not wear shorts or carried a subway map, in fact I did not even take subway, we either walked or took cabs-and that’s what most of the tourists do. We also did not take pictures on every corner. When my parents visit from Russia, they are constantly asked for directions, and they don’t even speak English! They also don’t go to Times Square or constantly photograph stuff, and they did not go on that red bus either.
Our friends visit us all the time-in the summer we always have someone staying-from Canada, Russia, Texas. None of them match your description of baggy shorts, being lost on the subway, or taking pictures on every corner. Even our Texas friends bring their nice clothes with them, and make an effort to look cool.
You are talking about a suburban group of tourists who stands out. I won’t be surprised if they weren’t even real tourists-they are probably from New Jersey/Long Island, came to shop to NYC for the weekend, see a Broadway show and go to Macy’s. My boss works in the city, lives in Long Island, when his wife comes to the city to meet him-that’s how she looks-shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, subway map. And she is not even a tourist!

Bluesbabe, don’t worry about anything you read here! Most of the people in NY are so busy; they don’t notice anything around them. They rarely look at other people, because they always have to run somewhere, and they don’t judge either, there are all kinds of people here! Enjoy New York. Visit Bleeker Street in the west village, there are lots of great restaurants there! Also, go on top of Rockefeller center, it is fun.
I love seeing tourists taking pictures, and always take pictures for them when they ask-it makes me very proud and happy to see people enjoying New York. Nobody will tell you damn tourist, trust me, people are nice. There are crazy people all over the city, and they are locals.
I visited NY as tourist, and had a wonderful time. In fact, I decided to move to NY, that’s how much I liked it

[peekles72]

Originally Posted by JuliaHuff

]Don’t generalize tourists, please! They come from all over the world, not only Midwest, maybe you can spot some American tourist, but not everyone. When I visited NY as a tourist, I did not wear shorts or carried a subway map, in fact I did not even take subway, we either walked or took cabs-and that’s what most of the tourists do. We also did not take pictures on every corner. When my parents visit from Russia, they are constantly asked for directions, and they don’t even speak English! They also don’t go to Times Square or constantly photograph stuff, and they did not go on that red bus either.
Our friends visit us all the time-in the summer we always have someone staying-from Canada, Russia, Texas. None of them match your description of baggy shorts, being lost on the subway, or taking pictures on every corner. Even our Texas friends bring their nice clothes with them, and make an effort to look cool.
You are talking about a suburban group of tourists who stands out. I won’t be surprised if they weren’t even real tourists-they are probably from New Jersey/Long Island, came to shop to NYC for the weekend, see a Broadway show and go to Macy’s. My boss works in the city, lives in Long Island, when his wife comes to the city to meet him-that’s how she looks-shorts, t-shirt, tennis shoes, subway map. And she is not even a tourist!

Bluesbabe, don’t worry about anything you read here! Most of the people in NY are so busy; they don’t notice anything around them. They rarely look at other people, because they always have to run somewhere, and they don’t judge either, there are all kinds of people here! Enjoy New York. Visit Bleeker Street in the west village, there are lots of great restaurants there! Also, go on top of Rockefeller center, it is fun.
I love seeing tourists taking pictures, and always take pictures for them when they ask-it makes me very proud and happy to see people enjoying New York. Nobody will tell you damn tourist, trust me, people are nice. There are crazy people all over the city, and they are locals.
I visited NY as tourist, and had a wonderful time. In fact, I decided to move to NY, that’s how much I liked it

We could still identify them as tourists Tourists don't bother me. Most of them. Most of the time. I could say the same about natives/transplants.

[quelinda]

New Yorkers are some of the most unjudgmental mind-your-business types you'll ever meet. We APPRECIATE tourists, who bring needed revenue to our city. We just noted how you can spot a tourist and most people in the thread were not trying to be negative about tourists' qualities. I'm sure lots of US have been tourists elsewhere and stood out just the same. CHILL

[Redisca]

Originally Posted by JuliaHuff

But if you are not on Madison ave on in Midpacking district at night, most of the croud is dressed like crap, especially in the winter.

As for the differences between the nicely dressed Siberians and Americans dressed like slobs: Russia is one of those countries where people are expected to wear their wealth literally on their backs -- hence the $100K cell phones and people spending 90% of their income on clothes. I should know, since I am originally from Russia as well. The American culture has less of a compulsion to demonstrate one's wealth and social status through clothes. This has little to do with style and a lot to do with spending habits and class conventions.
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On a slightly different note: there is a certain category of tourists that I found represented in every major city I've been to, including New York. These are tourists dressed in full-scale survival gear: hiking boots of a stupendous size, thick woolen socks, neoprene from head to toe, and a back pack the size of a suburban starter home. I understand the need to be comfortable and to have your Kleenex on hand -- but this? These folks look like what they really wanted to do was disappear into the depths of the Amazon jungle for a couple of months, except they got on the wrong plane by mistake and ended up in the Big Apple instead. Otherwise, I just don't understand it. After all, NYC is situated on more or less level terrain, and the streets are paved. Fresh, drinkable water is widely available with a minimum effort, and there is also a plentiful supply of pre-killed, pre-skinned and gutted, pre-cooked food. There is, additionally, a great number of pharmacies, hospitals, and doctors' offices, so the chances of dying by scraping one's knee are truly remote. And I understand that perhaps they don't want to pay a premium for bottled water or adhesive bandages in the vicinity of Times Square, but is saving a few pennies really worth toting about a veritable truckload of supplies?

(I must note, though, that such tourists are particularly numerous in Paris, for some reason. There are tons of them, and their backpacks are especially ridiculous. And every time a pair of them enters a metro car, passengers who are locals exchange bewildered looks that seem to say: "Are these people kidding me??? Are they seriously going to camp out on the boulevard? Build a campfire in front of the Louvre? And what do they think they are going to kill for dinner??")

[Bluesbabe]

Originally Posted by Redisca

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On a slightly different note: there is a certain category of tourists that I found represented in every major city I've been to, including New York. These are tourists dressed in full-scale survival gear: hiking boots of a stupendous size, thick woolen socks, neoprene from head to toe, and a back pack the size of a suburban starter home. I understand the need to be comfortable and to have your Kleenex on hand -- but this?

(I must note, though, that such tourists are particularly numerous in Paris, for some reason. There are tons of them, and their backpacks are especially ridiculous. And every time a pair of them enters a metro car, passengers who are locals exchange bewildered looks that seem to say: "Are these people kidding me??? Are they seriously going to camp out on the boulevard? Build a campfire in front of the Louvre? And what do they think they are going to kill for dinner??")

LOL!!!! Sounds like tourists from the Northwest! Known to be the worst dressers in the nation, and I believe it because I see people wear stuff that I wouldn't wear at home!

The European backpackers are probably tourists staying in hostels and don't want to leave their backpacks behind. A co-worker of mine toured Europe with his wife via Eurail for 3 wks, with only their backpacks for "luggage". I guess they decided to carry along their only belongings. Wouldn't be for me! My upper-back couldn't handle a heavy pack.

[quelinda]

Originally Posted by JuliaHuff

People, get a grip of yourselves! native new yorkers, who think they are better dressed and more sophisticated. Yeah, it is true that many new yorkers dress nicer, then people who live in smaller places. Women wear nice dresses and stuff, and dont wear baggy shorts. But if you are not on Madison ave on in Midpacking district at night, most of the croud is dressed like crap, especially in the winter. and especially people from the boroughs, like Bronx and Queens, where they have their own style...

Ms. Huff, its the MEATPACKING DISTRICT.

Somehow I find it hard to believe that these women I always see on TV from Eastern Europe (with the head scarves and long skirts) dress better than us New Yorkers. But that's just a guess..

LOL

[Frank_Carbonni]

I'm not a New Yorker, but I currently live what is basically Australia's* Miami Beach and I can relate to many things said in this thread.

Tourists mainly stand out in the way they carry themselves and the way they dress. Tourists always seem to shamble and pause to look at everything in great detail. They are also very much in their own little bubble. Also, tourists seem to wear stuff that they would never ever where at home. Visors, fishing hats, ugly baseball hats, over-sized shorts, t-shirts from previous locations, huge backpacks, knee high socks (with sandels!), Hawaiian shirts, etc.

I can understand being a little bit slower paced, you want to take in the sights of your new surroundings. But I cannot understand why tourists dress the way they do and it is not a regional thing either, all tourists stand out and look like *******s. And if you doubt my assertion that it is not confined to less fashionable regions like the Midwest (excluding Chicago) and the South, I suggest you ask someone from New England or Los Angeles how much do New Yorkers stick out when traveling to those regions. A New Yorker in Vermont stands out as much as a North Dakotan in Manhattan and it's not because the New Yorker is so fabously dressed and fashionable.

*Not Australian either.

[JuliaHuff]

New Yorkers bother me much more then tourists! Most of the tourists are polite and respectful. Locals on the other hand are not! All these rude people on the subway, they are NOT tourists. The crazy guy who was yelling for 30 minutes on the 4 train that we are all going to hell, he was definitely local. I never notice tourists, but crazy locals-all the time! And I’ve been pushed many times on the sidewalk by the local new Yorkers who were in a hurry to get somewhere, stepped on my feed, ruined my pedicure or new shoes, because they are in a such a hurry, they don’t see anybody else. I was also ran over by a bike rider, who was definitely not a tourist-he was local in a hurry, so he ran a red light, and ran me over full speed, did not even stop
So I personally think tourists are much better, then locals. Let then stand around and stare-and least they will not curse out or run you over

Rediska, whatever, it is still nice to people who color coordinate, and iron their clothes, and skinny women who actually brush their hair and put make up on.
quelinda, believe it or not, but you want meet a fat girl in russia, who is wearing tight jeans and a cut off tank top with fat flabbing around, or a girl in a t shirt and sweatpants with crocks on....they dont necessarily dress better, they are more feminine, and more groomed-always have their nails/hair/makeup done, and their clothes are ironed and match.
if you dont believe-go to Moscow and take a look.


As for tourists with backpacks, most of the time, the reason is they have no hotel to leave their stuff at, so they carry it around, because they have no choice. They are either backpacking and camping, or taking trains and sleeping on the train at night, or they simply checked out from the hotel. Or they are in a hostel and afraid to leave their stuff unattended. I don’t think they do it by choice. Nobody wants to carry a heavy backpack around. But I have been in situations where I had to do it—we camped in Puerto Rico, and on the way back we spent a day in San Juan, with no hotel, because we did not sleep there, so we just carried our backpacks and camping gear with us. Yeah, we looked stupid, but who cares. It was better then spending a day at the airport.

PS. I know it is Meatpacking District, it was a typo.

[Redisca]

Originally Posted by JuliaHuff

New Yorkers bother me much more then tourists! Most of the tourists are polite and respectful. Locals on the other hand are not! All these rude people on the subway, they are NOT tourists. The crazy guy who was yelling for 30 minutes on the 4 train that we are all going to hell, he was definitely local. I never notice tourists, but crazy locals-all the time! And I’ve been pushed many times on the sidewalk by the local new Yorkers who were in a hurry to get somewhere, stepped on my feed, ruined my pedicure or new shoes, because they are in a such a hurry, they don’t see anybody else. I was also ran over by a bike rider, who was definitely not a tourist-he was local in a hurry, so he ran a red light, and ran me over full speed, did not even stop
So I personally think tourists are much better, then locals. Let then stand around and stare-and least they will not curse out or run you over

In other words, New York would be a fine town, if it weren't for all the New Yorkers in it. How sad. For the record -- I've lived in New York for more than half my life now, and I've never had anyone step on my foot without apologizing, and I've never had my shoes or pedicure ruined in New York, ever. Discrimination, maybe?

Originally Posted by JuliaHuff

But I have been in situations where I had to do it—we camped in Puerto Rico, and on the way back we spent a day in San Juan, with no hotel, because we did not sleep there, so we just carried our backpacks and camping gear with us. It was better then spending a day at the airport.

Which is too bad -- because there are places in San Juan to store one's luggage securely and for a very low fee. I've done that -- and spent the day in San Juan carrying around only my purse. In all major tourist destinations, there are station lockers and businesses that offer to hold luggage. Yes, it costs money, and you have to do research -- but if you are already investing funds and effort into maquillage and ironing, why carry around one's luggage all day?

Originally Posted by JuliaHuff

Yeah, we looked stupid, but who cares.

Perhaps that's how all those women who don't iron their clothes feel. Why iron when you can sight-see?

Originally Posted by JuliaHuff

Rediska, whatever, it is still nice to people who color coordinate

Much of what you've mentioned is a matter of both taste and environment. I live and work in New York too, and I hardly see the kinds of people you describe: most New Yorkers I come in contact with wear suits. As for color coordination -- again, it is difficult to argue about taste. I personally remember Russian color coordination rules as being very oppressive: top and bottom must be of the same color, shoes must match something in the outfit, etc. -- and much too emphasis on dark colors; at the same time, I appreciate the local fashion styles as being more daring, imaginative and whimsical. You probably think the exact opposite and see what I consider "whimsical" as garish. Red shoes paired with a black suit would certainly offend the Russian color coordination rules, but here, it is a smart detail that enlivens an otherwise very funereal outfit. Since this is New York, however, I think New York rules should apply. By the way -- I am from Moscow. I don't miss it as much as you do, however, not the least because here, I can get the aforementioned manicure, hair style and make-up at a small fraction of Moscow prices and with a much friendlier attitude; and have someone else iron my clothes for me.