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I moved here just a month ago for a summer program. I dress pretty casually and don't really look like a tourist (it's pretty easy to identify them anyway and I'm usually alone). On multiple occasions I've had people ask me "are you from New York/NJ?".
Once was at Union Sq where this man was so verbally aggressive and really wanted to know whether I'm from around here. I'd ignore him and he'd say something like "do you not talk to people? do you not say hi to people?" and just kept getting in my face until I was at the end of the block.
Today, a woman outside of a store handing out samples asked whether I wanted one which I politely declined. Then she asked the same thing but by then I'd already walked off.
Is it because I'm not aware I look like a tourist? What do they want? How do I get them to stop?
I wish you had told us more examples. I think maybe what you should be doing is responding, "Why do you ask?" In some stores they give discounts to tourists - maybe that's what the woman was getting ready to do.
Haha, alright thanks. I've only lived in small cities on the west coast and not used to a lot of solicitations. Next time I'll just say no and walk away.
Yeah, I think it's just a conversation starter to engage you so that they can then sell you something or hassle you. They probably do it to everyone. I once had a normal looking woman walk up to me in Grand Central Terminal who commented that she loved my hair, and where did I get it done. No sooner did I say thank you and start to tell her about my hairdresser did she launch into her sales pitch, which had something to do with salon services.
Last week in a parking lot I had a woman walk up to me telling me that she sensed something about me and I should have my psychic reading done (and guess who would be happy to charge me to do it). I just pretended I didn't speak English. Even in my gym I had the guy who works there come over and ask how my workouts are going and when I started to answer, he launched into how I should have a free training session (and guess what, free means you have to listen to the sales pitch to get you to sign up for 8 sessions for $800)
I suppose asking you where you're from, if you answer in English, means you can't pull the "I don't speak English" thing later when they try to sell you something.
Last week in a parking lot I had a woman walk up to me telling me that she sensed something about me and I should have my psychic reading done (and guess who would be happy to charge me to do it).
No way! That happened to me yesterday in Nolita! I stood off to the side of the sidewalk and was using my phone when this lady came up to me and said "I sense great energy from you, and I don't usually stop people like this on the streets..." But she did, so I just excused myself out of there.
I guess I'm making a big deal out of this because it's all so new and uncomfortable for me. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I moved here just a month ago for a summer program. I dress pretty casually and don't really look like a tourist (it's pretty easy to identify them anyway and I'm usually alone). On multiple occasions I've had people ask me "are you from New York/NJ?".
Once was at Union Sq where this man was so verbally aggressive and really wanted to know whether I'm from around here. I'd ignore him and he'd say something like "do you not talk to people? do you not say hi to people?" and just kept getting in my face until I was at the end of the block.
Today, a woman outside of a store handing out samples asked whether I wanted one which I politely declined. Then she asked the same thing but by then I'd already walked off.
Is it because I'm not aware I look like a tourist? What do they want? How do I get them to stop?
Thanks.
Just give yourself a year or so of being a NYer, it will take that long, possibly less to sufficiently toughen you up to handle any person or situation. The down side being that if or when you move to civilization it will take time to acclimate yourself to it.
Say or nod "yes" and walk away. After all, you've been here a month. And don't continue to converse.
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