New York City has its own rhythm that seems strange to outsiders. From the action-packed pavements and subways all the way to oversized meals and unexpected exchanges with strangers, daily life in the city takes place according to certain unwritten codes. For people contemplating visiting or relocating, knowing those cultural habits could help them see beyond the typical postcards and movies.
Daily Routines That Catch Visitors by Surprise
One of the things that visitors first notice is how much free water is offered in restaurants, which not only comes with plenty of ice but also gets refilled throughout the meal. Some casual dining chains provide their customers with unlimited soft drinks free of charge. Portions of food are normally very generous, which means that taking leftover food home is completely considered normal. Even bread, chips, and salsa are complementary in certain restaurants.
Shopping habits can also be surprising. Big retailers like Costco sell items in bulk, often in huge quantities; free samples of food have also become a part of the shopping experience. Coffee portions are also relatively large compared to many European countries.
Tipping is one of the important factors that distinguishes one culture from another. When eating in sit-down restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip of approximately 18%–20%. Various tips which may seem unimportant have great significance while it comes to the income of many employees working in this particular sphere. There are also situations when visitors are obliged to tip while waiting for their coffee in coffee shops and when doing some shopping at self-checkout and although tips given for the food served at the counter are voluntary.
There are other surprising aspects of American culture — excessive usage of air conditioning in various places and sales tax that is imposed on customers during the check-out process instead of being included in the prices displayed in shops. The sales tax for different goods in New York City makes 8.875% with some exceptions.
New York City Transportation Unwritten Rules
Although many cities in America require driving cars, there is no need to drive cars in New York City since the subway system is popular there among locals. As traffic jams and parking make driving expensive and inconvenient, people tend to prefer trains as a means of transportation.
In principle, subway etiquette is based on the concepts of personal space and mutual indifference. Subway riders frequently share a seat with another commuter, listen to music with headphones, and avoid eye contact. Street performers, musicians, and spontaneous influencers also have their own place in the subway and usually do not attract the attention of experienced subway riders.
While walking on the streets, it is very important to keep up the pace. In New York, people tend to walk fast, keep to the right side of the street and avoid stopping suddenly. If a tourist needs to look at a phone or take a photo, he/she should better step to the side so that people would not be disturbed. It is not rare for passersby to grab a snack.
Food, apartments, and New York lifestyle.
The bodega is an indispensable component of the neighborhood life. With its wide range of food and drinks, it is not just a convenience store. People also use street food trucks to buy food on the go or order food from different cuisines by using delivery services.
According to various reports, apartments in New York City tend to be rather small and high-priced. The limited space seen in the apartments is compensated by using smart furniture and storage solutions along with treating parks, restaurants, and public places as their true living rooms. In other words, life there is a sort of compromise that people are willing to make for the sake of unlimited access to New York City.
Language, Diversity, and New York City Identity
The people of New Yorkers have a reputation for being direct in communication and speaking fast, as well as using slang and colloquialisms. For instance, the term dead ass translates as seriously, whereas the interjection mad means very.
New York has perhaps its most distinctive quality which can be underlined as diversity. Neighborhoods like Flushing, Jackson Heights, Brighton Beach, and Washington Heights demonstrate communities of various geographical backgrounds and origins. Hundreds of languages coexist in the city, and diverse groups of people from different cultural backgrounds meet on a daily basis in common locations such as sidewalks, schools, shops, and public transport means.
Even though New Yorkers often complain about the uncomfortable conditions of living in the city like rents, roads, corrupt public transport, and congested sidewalks, they still feel as if they belong to that place. This extraordinary mixture of discontent, exaggeration, and pride constitutes the essence of New York as one of the areas with thousands of traditions and secrets.
