Originally published 1906-12-23
People who don’t live here in NYC imagine it’s constantly like times square on new years eve. It’s far less than that.
The first time I was in NYC, I exited the train station and got turned around. I had printed directions but couldn’t see the cross streets on it so I asked someone which way was north. He didn’t say a word, just spun around and did a two-handed point like a cartoon.
I walked for several blocks expecting to see the street I had to turn on. After a few blocks, I walked into a real estate office and asked for help.
Yeah, the dude just fuckin lied. I had been walking west. So I walked another 2 miles in the hot summer sun, really soaking up the aroma of leaking garbage bags piled on the sidewalk. I fuckin hated NYC after that.
But then I wound up going back 8 years later and it was all right. I don’t love NYC but I don’t hate it anymore (and congrats on graduating to garbage cans lol)
He might have been wrong rather than lying. A startling number of people don’t know where they are. A former partner of mine usually knew where she was, but didn’t think in terms of NSWE and would be confused if I said “come to the SE corner of the park”
Also I live here and just last night walked like four blocks in the wrong direction because I wasn’t paying attention and turned the wrong way.
I really doubt it considering his confidence and lack of hesitation. He was 100% fucking with a “tourist”
Any time someone asks me for directions, I pause to make sure I’m understanding where they’re trying to go before sending them on their way. Even if I’m positive , at the very least I’ll double check the cross streets
