Pages

Thursday, May 15, 2008

New York vs. the World

A few pieces, sent by different people, are a nice reminder of the differences between New York City (and the tri-state area, really) and the rest of the world.
  • 1) Alternate side parking. Firstly, can we have this "indefinite suspension" here in Queens? Second, I've yet to see those machines "clean" a single darned thing. It's solely meant to take money from the people and give it to the government, in case the city and state taxes weren't high enough.
  • 2) Road rage. My brother would love this one. Just as a note: Cleveland is the 5th nicest when it comes to road rage; the other top cities are Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis, and (slightly surprisingly) Pittsburgh. On the angry side, it's DC, NYC, Miami, Boston, and (slightly surprisingly) Baltimore. But that does explain something about at least one contributor here...
  • 3) Cost of living. Hey, look. I'm with others on this one. If you think New York City is the center of the universe, by all means, don't let me convince you otherwise. Stay here! Enjoy! If you don't, however... run for your life. (And your future economic, emotional, quality of life, kids', etc. sakes.)
New York. Eh.

8 comments:

  1. After living in the Balt./DC area for 3 years- I have to agree- Balt/DC drivers try to be agressive like New Yorkers- but aren't as cautious--- this is subject to dispute. (I was taught how to drive on the mean streets of NY city)

    ReplyDelete
  2. On the angry side, it's DC, NYC, Miami, Boston, and (slightly surprisingly) Baltimore. But that does explain something about at least one contributor here...


    -When I moved to Baltimore my grandmother told me "Watch out for the drivers, they are old and crazy."

    -Boston (and most of MA) is terrible! There is a special name for Mass drivers, but even if i WAS comfortable saying it, i wouldn't post it on a blog with a title that sounds like a PBS childrens television show ;)

    One state south though, and everyone is insanely polite. Yesterday on my way home from work, i saw two school busses honk "hello" as they passed each other on a divided street!

    ReplyDelete
  3. yeah, I heard about the Park Slope thing on the radio this morning and immediately thought "Why can't we have that?" There is no actual street cleaning going on when we have alternate side parking. It's a conspiracy I tell ya...

    ReplyDelete
  4. As a displaced Oregonian, I can definitely attest to the pleasure of driving in the Pacific Northwest. As to living in NYC, most out of towners I know that live here now, no matter for how long, still think of themselves as from the "motherland." Ask them where they are from and they say "Queens, but originally from____." You can take the boy/girl out of their town and plunk them into NYC but you can't take the town out of the boy/girl.

    ReplyDelete
  5. did u just say something nice about cleveland?

    i should get my vision checked.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ditto to Ezzie! I am always quick to say that I am really from Baltimore, lest anyone think for even a second that I am a NY'er [horror!].

    ReplyDelete
  7. If you don't, however... run for your life.

    Wow - at the speed you're running, even the tortoise could take a nap and still win.

    ReplyDelete