Good Tuesday to All!
A friend and I were having a conversation about places we have visited and the people we have encountered. How many times have we not gone to a visit a place because we thought the people were not friendly? I want to dispel the rumor about people from New York.
Last year I went to New York for the first time. I had always been amazed by the sky line and impressive architecture. Not to mention Time Square, Yankee Stadium, The Empire State Building, Lady Liberty, Ground Zero, Broadway, etc....etc.....etc.....
I have also heard from many people that people from New York were not friendly and were rude. I heard that New Yorkers were always in a rush and would not give you the time of day if you asked for directions. And I had heard that New Yorkers spoke with a heavy accent and it was hard to understand. You know my response to those negative people? "Baloney!" My experience with New Yorkers, are totally the opposite of what I have heard. In my opinion, New Yorkers rival Hawaiians as the friendliest that I have met. Let me give you some references so you don't think I am full of Hype. My brother had arranged the trip to New York for me. He had a shuttle van waiting to pick us up at the airport. On the ride from JFK to Manhattan, the shuttle driver asked if I needed directions to any of the attractions. I told him that we wanted to go to Times Square and walk around. He said "After you drop your luggage off at the hotel and grab a bite, call me. Here is my number. I should be back in the city in an hour, I will take you there...." I called our driver up and he picked us up at the hotel. A nice gesture! He said "No charge, my treat to you as a visitor to New York." What a nice guy! Another example of the New York hospitality. Numerous New Yorkers offered assistance on the subways. For a visitor, if you can navigate the subway system, you can get around New York with ease. Also, these supposedly rude and arrogant New Yorkers, would get up out of their seats on the subway and offer their seats. Amazing. One more reference for good measure. At Bobby Flay's restaurant in Manhattan, it was known that he could drop in at any time and say hello to the patrons. We told the hostess that we had eaten at his Las Vegas restaurant, and this was a treat, since this was his home. She called him up to see if he was coming in and there were some fans of his there. He had a prior engagement, but instructed the hostess to give us an autographed copy of one of his books. Rude? Arrogant? Standoffish? Hard to understand? Elitist attitude? Don't want to be bothered? Not a chance.
By the way, the sites in New York are well worth their hype! You will not be disappointed by what New York has to offer. In my opinion, the people are one of the best attributes of New York!
The reason why I commented on this, is because often we get caught up in hype. Hype that may not be true. Sometimes in life, it's best to experience things and make your own judgement. It's fine to use reviews and information to help educate yourself on a decision. Keep an open mind and don't always believe the hype!
It's August 25, 2009 and I am bullish on Sacramento
David Ohara
@dwo34
dwo34@aol.com
