New York Culture

20 Replies

Hi Everyone,

I’m sure you all know that 17 years ago, the World Trade Center collapsed and thousands of people lost their lives. I still remember that day vividly — I was in high school at the time, and it just felt so surreal, for lack of a better term.

We had a great discussion in class last time about culture and our experiences in terms of our race/heritage.We all share another identity though – that of New Yorkers (even if you moved here from another state?)

For me, when I think of New York culture, I think bodegas where one can get a bacon, egg, and cheese 24/7, green student MetroCards, finding any cuisine from virtually any country, dirty subway stations, stores that are still cash only, prewar buildings, and Ubers.

What about you? Do you have particular stores you attend? Parks? Malls? Shuls? Church? Mosque? What are experiences that you can only have in New York (i.e. have a Shah’s Halal Cart, Colombian food cart, and Kosher food restaurants in the same college quad?)

QOTD: How would you describe yourself as a New Yorker?

20 thoughts on “New York Culture”

  1. mishalbhatti

    Being a New Yorker means being able to get comfortable on the uncomfortable seats of an empty bus or holding the sweaty pole of an overcrowded train, it’s all about being in such a diverse area but still sharing qualities to the strangers that you pass by. I think of New York culture as being a part of a stranger’s life even just as a glimpse, New York unknowingly stirs the melting pot of people into one story with many chapters.

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      1. mishalbhatti

        For example, the assimilating environment of New York catches up to satisfy its varying cultures, once very uncommon Chinese food is now a readily available entity. In addition, now there are halal food carts for those who do not eat pork, there are vegan shops for those who are vegans, and not to mention, traditionally styled- cuisines for a trip back to your homeland. New York allows for change because it was made for and by many cultures.

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      2. Patricia Wu Post author

        I mentioned to Adila that there are Halal Chinese restaurants on Main Street. I want to try Nepali food — there are a lot of places in Woodside. I’m also curious about trying West African food.

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  2. adilabhatti2

    Being a New Yorker is like being a traveler or an explorer, constantly. Living in such a diverse environment, you are always bound to learn and discover something new. From the fashion industry to the finance industry to the educational industry, New Yorkers are fortunate to grow up in an environment with such variance. Whether it is the conversation you had with your uber driver about his/ her struggle for the American dream or the captivating murals that depict the rich cultures of Harlem, a New Yorker is constantly exposed to a multitude of cultures and backgrounds around the world. A New Yorker could walk down the streets of lower Manhattan and explore the Chinese and Italian cultures but also travel out to Long Island and enjoy their Sundays fishing or relaxing by the beach. A New Yorker has the convenience of learning any religion from Christianity to Judaism to Islam and even more while also befriending people of backgrounds strikingly different from their own. Thus, a New Yorker is constantly traveling and exploring culture to culture, ethnicity to ethnicity and the diversity of the world in a single city.

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    1. Patricia Wu Post author

      I think you nailed why it is incredible to be a New Yorker. We are all different, but yet, this city links us together. Every part of NYC has its own identity, but we can all connect!

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  3. batshevaenglish110

    When someone asks you were you live and you say New York you can be sure they are thinking of the city. And I may have not grown up on the streets of Manhattan but I visited enough as a young adult to pick up many of the habit of an average New Yorker. Being a New Yorker means crossing the street at your own will, not the will of the traffic light. Being always ready to defend things you believe in, even if no one is arguing with you. Being able to not go more then 5 blocks without a Starbucks. Seeing people from all around the world coming together to squish themselves onto a smelly subway. Being a New Yorker is understanding the struggle of taking regents. Being a New Yorker is also always…well almost always being willing to help tourist out with directions. And being a New Yorker is learning to walk everywhere instead of cabbing.

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    1. Patricia Wu Post author

      You are such a vivid writer! I can picture you heading to a Broadway show and then going to Abagail’s for a late dinner (best Kosher steakhouse ever — better than Wolf and Lamb) and not taking attitude from anyone. Wonderful response!

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  4. elianak110

    When I first hear the word New York I automatically think of yellow taxis. I think of strong accents, subways/trains, tall buildings, apples, Broadway, bright lights, the smell of hot dog stands, and the busyness of the workday. I perceive how the city that never sleeps is always on the go, always producing, manufacturing, advancing and moving forward. I think of the promise of the American dream. I think of freedom and liberty. New York is a zone where the opportunities are endless. It’s a city where people from all around the world come together in one entity. It’s a place where one can come to “make it”. It’s a region where one can express themselves without reservation. New Yorkers are known for being impolite and blunt, but are also acknowledged as big dreamers. Only being a New Yorker do I consider everyone not from the big apple as an out “out of towner”. Only in New York will you find a five piece orchestra band at the bottom of a hot crowded subway station. Only in New York will you be able to have your views and horizons widened from the endless assortment of perceptions.

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    1. Patricia Wu Post author

      WOW. Beautiful and elequant response, Eliana. Your reply made me think of “New York, New York” by Frank Sintara. There are so many different identities and personas in being a New Yorker. Street carts sell knishes, hot dogs, and cheeseburgers. So many cultures and influences have made New York the melting pot (for lack of a better term) it is!

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  7. Ravindra Narine

    As a New Yorker, I would describe myself as being outgoing yet contained at the same time. I obviously need to speak to people quite often to find out directions or whenever you want to purchase something however I am also contained in the sense that I can also do the opposite and not talk to anyone when I am walking about. No one really cares to interact with people just cause, but only if they need something and if nothing is needed from me, there is no need for any interaction and everyone in New York is okay with that. The things I usually think about when I think of New York are the subways, constant talking, the city, Times Square, tourist attractions, and so much more because New York has so many interesting things about it.

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  8. abdullahdar596031617

    As a New Yorker I would say I’m outgoing and proud of myself since other states tend to agree that New York is the best. Us New Yorkers are always rushing to do things and even though it’s sad to say we usually don’t care about others when we’re in a rush like for example in the city. I still like to think of myself as caring and kind and go against that New York stereotype.

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  9. gspirgel110

    For me, being a New Yorker is mostly just a fact, it’s just where I live. I don’t love New York City and I live in a Jewish community that is relatively small, in the sense that lots of people know each other and you can make a connection with almost anyone, something I don’t think is typical “New York” life in the city. The only time it makes a difference is when I go outside of New York and then tell people I’m from New York, then they always ask me if I know their friend or relative.

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