I remember when there were two ferries at South Ferry: the orange and blue one for Staten Island and the red and blue (?) boat for Brooklyn. My grandfather was a waiter at Lundy Brothers. I read the restaurant closed.
1
Easy answer. Besides being born & raised here --New Yorkers are the ones living here long enough to remember when it wasn't "cool" to be a New Yorker,
And they haven't forgotten what President Gerald Ford said about our city...(and maybe even haven't forgiven him for it, either.)
And they haven't forgotten what President Gerald Ford said about our city...(and maybe even haven't forgiven him for it, either.)
3
fascinating that several of the tests, e.g. "open...while...able to shut down," and "rude and polite all at the same time," apply to southern modes as well. sometimes the two regions are closer than either like to admit. (have lived in both places)
good new yorkers make other new yorker better. bad new yorkers profits from their misery. I consider a lot of the building owner bad new yorker because they profit off of the needless misery by not trying to give these small mom and pop business a break. those new yorkers, small business owner that work so very hard and sacrifice everything just to be toss aside. I think a real new yorker are those who make other new yorkers better. not those bad ones.
3
I used to live in SoHo, and now I live in upstate New York, but we are all New Yorkers. Dividing those who live in the five boroughs or north of the city - or in Long Island - into different groups just makes it easier for the Trumps of the world to divide us.
4
Now that's just silly, isn't it?
I'm not going to fail to join with other people against Trump wherever they're from. But there is a real difference in the experience of a New York City kid, especially if you attended public school for part of your childhood or adolescence.
1
When I moved to New York City in 2002, I didn't expect to get so lucky. I had previously lived in Connecticut, which I disliked so much, because I grew up in a big city (Rio de Janeiro) and I tend to get very bored small towns (In my opinion, Chicago is a "small town," which defines the kind of big city boy I am).
New Yorkers gave me everything fast, faster than I expected: Parties with celebrities, including Mayor Bloomberg back in 2004, a home, friends, a job, theater tickets weekly for over 10 years, and whatnot.
And they always called me a New Yorker, despite my foreign accent.
Yes, I'm a spoiled New Yorker, and I can't stand other cities for longer than a week, when I travel.
New Yorkers gave me everything fast, faster than I expected: Parties with celebrities, including Mayor Bloomberg back in 2004, a home, friends, a job, theater tickets weekly for over 10 years, and whatnot.
And they always called me a New Yorker, despite my foreign accent.
Yes, I'm a spoiled New Yorker, and I can't stand other cities for longer than a week, when I travel.
3
When Trump left NY, we didn't lose another New Yorker. We lost someone who doesn't like anybody in this city because they don't look like him or have his (so-called) bank account! Good riddance to bad rubbish.
12
All are welcome to live, to strive, to try--
T. G. I. N. Y.
T. G. I. N. Y.
3
Sorry... you need to have been born or had your childhood, young adulthood i.e. formative years in NYC to be a real New Yorker. I've lived in Europe for many years and now live in the Midwest and no matter how many years away from NYC, being a New Yorker is my primary identity, (the ethnic heritage via my parents is another). Just as any immigrant knows whether you are born and raise in Ireland, Mexico, Iran or Greece, that primary cultural ethnic identity is the foundation of your personhood regardless of where you emigrated to later in life. I akin my NYC identity to that type of ethnic identity.
5
I am a descendant of the Houstons from Ireland that Sam Houston is also descended from. In Ireland, it is pronounced Hus-ton - short u. So both pronunciations are wrong
Well, pronunciations kind of migrate, MaryK.
I knew an elderly woman who, as a little girl, played with the Cortelyou children. And she pronounced Cortelyou as CORtelyou, the way the CORtelyous said it.
Not CorTELyou, the way we do nowadays.
I knew an elderly woman who, as a little girl, played with the Cortelyou children. And she pronounced Cortelyou as CORtelyou, the way the CORtelyous said it.
Not CorTELyou, the way we do nowadays.
1
Born there, still live there - it's clear. Otherwise, I like Mayor Koch's - do you walk, talk, and think faster than anyone else? And I would add - do you talk to strangers and get involved in their conversations and arguments? Can you grab a cab in under a minute and without breaking stride? Do you jaywalk constantly, and are you always aware of everyone and everything in your immediate vicinity? Think nothing of going to a movie at 10 PM or later? Probably a New Yorker.
7
Many alt. Truths here.
Sorry suckers you Gotta be born here to be from here.
Example: Long Island can't be more different than Manhattan.
Sorry suckers you Gotta be born here to be from here.
Example: Long Island can't be more different than Manhattan.
9
Oh, how I'd love to be a native New Yorker who's living in New York again, but I can't afford it. Can only visit now and then.
4
In all honesty, I don't get what defines a New Yorker let alone someone from any other major city. Could it be that you find jaywalking as something normal because this isn't done anywhere else? Maybe that you like bagels a lot or tend to fold up a slice of pizza? Then again, you like being in a community that is always open 24-7 or having everything close so that there is no need to get around with a motor vehicle. I just find some of the claims to be stereotypes rather than facts, though I find these days it's probably not that obvious as it might have been then, but that's just me saying this, so don't take this as some sort of offense.
3
The only consistent unfair stereotype I've encountered is that New Yorkers are not friendly. If they have the time, they're happy to stop and help tourists.
10
Born and raised in Brooklyn, here's my take on who's who.
You move to NYC, buy your fancy apartment and learn to walk fast, OK eventually you're a New Yorker, you get the pace.
You're an immigrant, building a new life, building the city, learning to be an American in the 5 boroughs, definitely a NYer.
"Native New Yorker" is a class by itself -- you've gotta be born and raised here, go to high school here, have your childhood memories and friends here. We can spot each other in a crowd. Big different between new NYers and the natives
You can't buy it, period.
My uncle is 88 lives in the midwest now. But you meet the guy -- born in the Bronx, raised in Manhattan, cheered the Giants at the Polo Grounds. He's moving slowly but quick with a quip, guy's the real deal. He's NY through and through.
Native New Yorker. You can't buy it and you never lose it.
You move to NYC, buy your fancy apartment and learn to walk fast, OK eventually you're a New Yorker, you get the pace.
You're an immigrant, building a new life, building the city, learning to be an American in the 5 boroughs, definitely a NYer.
"Native New Yorker" is a class by itself -- you've gotta be born and raised here, go to high school here, have your childhood memories and friends here. We can spot each other in a crowd. Big different between new NYers and the natives
You can't buy it, period.
My uncle is 88 lives in the midwest now. But you meet the guy -- born in the Bronx, raised in Manhattan, cheered the Giants at the Polo Grounds. He's moving slowly but quick with a quip, guy's the real deal. He's NY through and through.
Native New Yorker. You can't buy it and you never lose it.
27
Well said, my friend. Well said.
6
God Bless all native New Yorkers.
6
Hear!, hear!!!
2
New Yorkers are be able to dance within a beautiful shifting chaos... at a midtown intersection at lunchtime thousands of people walking as fast as they can in separate directions.
New Yorkers pause for a second, speed up, shift and give naturally allowing everyone to keep pace without breaking the flow. Its the "others" that slam into you and keep walking.
New Yorkers pause for a second, speed up, shift and give naturally allowing everyone to keep pace without breaking the flow. Its the "others" that slam into you and keep walking.
5
New York pedestrians take traffic lights and crosswalks as suggestions. They wait "on line". They walk fast, keep their heads down, but are happy to help someone with directions. They go to Broadway or Off-Broadway shows that few tourists would even consider. They know that the deli is probably the most important type of store in the city.
13
Capital beguile Devils
1
I'm not a New Yorker. You gotta problem widdat?
Oops...maybe the years I lived there rubbed off a little. I hope y'all forgive me.
Oops...maybe the years I lived there rubbed off a little. I hope y'all forgive me.
4
If you think jaywalking is an important human right you're a NYer
14
Sorry, meant 'they're'. Never write comments in the midst of sorting and folding laundry.
2
"Finally, someone with balls". This is one reason we Trump supporters voted for him.
Trump is right. 11 million undocumented Mexicans in the United States, using our social safety systems? Americans going without? Unfair trade with Mexico?
No. No more nonsense. Build the wall and heavily tax Mexican imports.
Charity starts at home.
Trump is right. 11 million undocumented Mexicans in the United States, using our social safety systems? Americans going without? Unfair trade with Mexico?
No. No more nonsense. Build the wall and heavily tax Mexican imports.
Charity starts at home.
2
Off topic. Scram!
33
You notice Trump never bothered to campaign here, don't you ????
Get real.
Get real.
1
A real New Yorker know instinctively how to pronounce Houston Street.
16
Sept. 11 was an interesting litmus test: some people couldn't bolt fast enough (leeway given to those with small children) and those of us who couldn't be preyed loose with a crowbar.
7
I left after September 11 - because I lost my job. It followed that I lost my rent stabilized apartment as well, and haven't been able to afford to go back. Still miss it, though.
3
AMEN!!! -- "I Love New York Now More Than Ever" .... remember that one?
Most real New Yorkers share a common trait. They love New York despite it costs, flaws, illogical reasoning, and it inconvenience. They appreciate being in New York and ultimately hope they never have to leave it.
29
I am a New Yorker; I live in Taos, NM.
Never lived in New York; love New York.
I am a New Yorker. Don't you get it?
I am a New Yorker but also a Taosena.
Don't you get it?
Never lived in New York; love New York.
I am a New Yorker. Don't you get it?
I am a New Yorker but also a Taosena.
Don't you get it?
4
My first byline, sort of! Thanks NYT and Mr. Wolfe. I expect a lot of cranky comments re my assertion. To them I say, "Nuts!" or better yet "Stop hakn mir a tshaynik!" FYI, Yiddish for Dick and Jane is sold at the Tenement Musuem.
6
Thanks. For all the Yiddish I try to teach people, no one has ever heard of this one. It's a favorite. My parents/grandparents spoke Yiddish a lot. It's sadly disappearing. I used to do "Yiddish word of the day" at work. People are starting to forget how integral the words and phrases are to the NYC vernacular, so I try to keep it alive when I can.
3
New Yorkers should include those who left as well.
My family was making barrels for the Dutch West India Company in 1627. I was born in New York County. Wherever I've lived I was considered a New Yorker by others. To them I'll always be "the guy from New York".
My family was making barrels for the Dutch West India Company in 1627. I was born in New York County. Wherever I've lived I was considered a New Yorker by others. To them I'll always be "the guy from New York".
8
On pronouncing Houston Street and real New Yorkers.
Tune of Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
I say HouseTon and you say YoosTon
And I get soused in dives you get juiced in
HouseTon YoosTon
We're both boostin'
This town we call New York
You said Yorker while I said Yawker
I chat you up and you think I'm a stalker
New Yorker, New Yawker
Everyone's a talker
Let's call us all New York
And no, if you call New York
The greatest place on earth
Then no, don't care if New York
Is not your place of birth
You say toilets and I say terlets
Since you don't recoil when we say terlets
Toilets terlets
For every boy and girl it's
Better that we're all real New York
Yes we'te all real New York
Tune of Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
I say HouseTon and you say YoosTon
And I get soused in dives you get juiced in
HouseTon YoosTon
We're both boostin'
This town we call New York
You said Yorker while I said Yawker
I chat you up and you think I'm a stalker
New Yorker, New Yawker
Everyone's a talker
Let's call us all New York
And no, if you call New York
The greatest place on earth
Then no, don't care if New York
Is not your place of birth
You say toilets and I say terlets
Since you don't recoil when we say terlets
Toilets terlets
For every boy and girl it's
Better that we're all real New York
Yes we'te all real New York
63
Freddie - many smiles! Thanks! A great classic reminder.
:) MIMA
:) MIMA
4
Very nice Freddy!
7
Freddy, you're always a great way to start the day!
15
A New Yorker knows they are a New Yorker and they just live it, whatever makes them a "real" New Yorker. They speak in a New York tongue, they walk with a New York stride, they seem preoccupied a bit with a New York State of mind.
But, they are still give us outsiders, when we're in New York, courtesy, directions, and even New York smiles. The smiles don't come as easy, sometimes, but that's ok. It's not a descriptive characteristic that is part of the New York gig. Maybe that in itself IS part of the gig.
But you know, thanks New Yorkers, for just being yourselves, whatever that is!
We love ya!
But, they are still give us outsiders, when we're in New York, courtesy, directions, and even New York smiles. The smiles don't come as easy, sometimes, but that's ok. It's not a descriptive characteristic that is part of the New York gig. Maybe that in itself IS part of the gig.
But you know, thanks New Yorkers, for just being yourselves, whatever that is!
We love ya!
15
And my mother's sister used to kick her best friend's brother, later named Alan King, off the stoop of their home in Williamsburg because he was such a pesky kid.
Great to have memories, but the old stories are even more wonderful.