How New Yorkers Differ from the Rest of America: Observations of a Russian-Speaking Immigrant
'11.09.2020'
Vita Popova
You can often hear that New York is not the USA, and this is true. The Big Apple is different from continental America, and its inhabitants are different from "standard" Americans. But what are these differences? Let's try to figure it out together with a Russian-speaking guide. She shared her observations on the Marina FromNYC channel in YouTube.
There is a huge difference between New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers. Here are just 13 points that go into detail about this.
- Obsession with your problems
The first trait that distinguishes New Yorkers from mainland Americans is their focus on their own problems. “They are only worried about what is happening in their city and state,” the guide says.
For example, she talked about how an earthquake happened in Los Angeles several years ago, and on the same day in Central Park, a bully attacked a woman who was not harmed as a result. The next day, the main news in New York was the attack, not the Los Angeles earthquake. “Because Los Angeles is far from us, and Central Park is close, and this concerns us more. After all, every New Yorker can face this. Therefore, they think more about themselves, ”she explains.
There is even a huge difference between the five boroughs that make up the city and its central part, Manhattan, or New York City. “The locals joke: the only thing that unites the inhabitants of the four boroughs is their dislike of Staten Island,” we read further. "Because Staten Island is most like the rest of America, one-story and a little provincial."
- It's hard to surprise New Yorkers
The second feature of New Yorkers is that it is difficult to surprise them with anything. “If a dinosaur walks through the city, I think no one will pay attention to it. Because the number of freaks in the city is off the charts, ”the author noted.
This gives New Yorkers a freedom not found anywhere else. “No matter how you dress and look, people will treat it with understanding,” the guide says.
- Tolerant of everything unusual
It follows from the previous point that New York is less conservative than other cities in America. For this reason, they dislike the Big Apple. “Residents of other cities in America believe that“ wrong ”people live here, too liberated, but remember that America is a Puritan country. And many Americans believe that New York is a big cauldron in which all the bad things, collected from all over the country, float, ”the author said. Although, she believes, this attitude is more like envy than dislike.
- New Yorkers rarely drive
“Only about 20% of New Yorkers are motorists. Especially those who live in Manhattan most often don't drive at all. A car is not particularly needed here, because the island is small, there is nowhere to go, a lot of taxis, insanely expensive parking, traffic, the metro works 24 hours, ”the author explains.
Plus, New Yorkers love to walk. “Which is not typical for Americans in general. Because America is an automobile country. We have only two cities whose residents love walking. These are New York and Chicago, ”we read further.
Therefore, those who come to New York from other states are very surprised when they find out that someone does not have their own car.
- Are fond of healthy eating
Fat people are rare in New York. “There is even a preconceived attitude among the employer, who believes: if a person is fat, then he is either sick or lazy. He doesn't need either one or the other. Although no one will openly say about it, ”explains the guide.
Perhaps one of the reasons New Yorkers are thin is their high stress levels. “There is even such an expression: if you want to lose weight, move to New York,” the author noted.
A huge number of local residents try to eat right, giving preference to salads, soups, and various smoothies. “I have little idea of the Texas people eating salads,” she continued. Because Americans living in other states are more likely to choose a meat dish. There are a lot of vegetarians in the Big Apple, which also distinguishes New Yorkers from other residents of the country.
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The cost of food is also significantly different. New York has a huge selection of restaurants, where you can taste dishes from all cuisines of the world. “But the prices in these restaurants are higher than in other states. Therefore, the rest of the Americans, coming here, are horrified by their high cost, "- said the author.
- Do not gravitate towards everything big like the rest of Americans
“It's no secret that Americans love everything big - apartments, cars, portions of food. New York differs from all states in that everything is very small - apartments, food portions, cars, ”explains the guide.
- I rent housing
Often, residents of other states do not understand why they should pay $ 2 a month for a tiny apartment in New York, when they can rent an apartment of the same size for a price of $ 500 or more.
The same goes for buying real estate.
Because housing in New York is very expensive, people often live in rented apartments. “This is not typical for provincial America. After all, the American dream is to earn money for your own house or at least for a small apartment, ”the guide argues.
- Friendly
New Yorkers are considered the most unfriendly of all Americans. “But I can tell you from my own experience that this is not so. New Yorkers are distinguished from everyone else by their widespread willingness to help, ”the immigrant shares her observations.
For example, if a resident of the Big Apple notices a confused tourist on the street who is clearly lost, he will come up and offer help. “And if he manages to help, then he will consider it an honor,” she added.
Indeed, the inhabitants of this metropolis are very friendly, ready to communicate and help others make new acquaintances.
- Tolerant of immigrants
New York is the most international city in the United States. Its inhabitants speak over 200 languages. That is, almost all languages of the world can be heard on the streets of this metropolis.
At the same time, New Yorkers are very tolerant of people who speak with a noticeable accent and do not know much English.
- Sarcastic
New Yorkers love to joke very much. “They read a lot, they know history and literature very well. They even know the history outside their country well. For example, they read “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky, “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy, ”the author is slightly surprised.
Since people are well-read here, they love to be clever, the guide notes. “They know a lot and are ready to share this information. If you ask them about something, they can give you a whole lecture on this topic to help and at the same time show how educated they are, ”said the immigrant.
- Workers
New Yorkers work very hard, it is very important for them to earn decent money. “This is a matter of honor for them. Many work six days a week, ”she added.
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Only Chicago and San Francisco can be compared with New York in this regard.
- Coffee fans
New Yorkers have a special love for this drink. “American coffee is different from European coffee, because it is more than 50% diluted with water,” the author said. So finding good coffee in New York is a whole problem.
- Save time
Saving time is another characteristic of the busy New Yorkers. “They are always in a hurry, running, so they get angry when tourists stand and wait for the traffic light to turn green,” the guide continues. - They cross the road to red if there are no cars. In other states, people don't do that. "
And finally, advice: when walking down the street, keep to the right. Because only tourists walk on the left side, and the residents of the Big Apple do not welcome this.
