"New Yorker"
I had a "discussion" once about being a "New Yorker."
What does that mean?
What defines it?
How long do you have to live there before you become one?
Do you lose the status if you leave?
Are there stages to becoming a New Yorker?
Are there rites of passage?
Are there distinctive phrases or slang that are distinctly NY?
Chime in all...
posted by Rick at 8:28 AM
3 Comments:
A native NYer would answer those who are born in NY are true NYers. There are no exceptions.
The non-native NYers would argue the definition is those who are residents of the state of NY, not just within the five boroughs. Key word is, residents, nevermind being born in NY.
Unfortunately, I fall into the "non-native NYer" considering I was NOT born in NY, but born in PA and moved to Bklyn when I was just three days old. I consider myself a NYer. I just can't imagine living anywhere else (well, except London) but NY.
There is something about seeing the skyline of Manhattan while driving on the BQE or driving on the the NJ Turnpike. Deep down inside, it just brings a smile to your face to know you're home and it just feels oh so good. Or when you've gone on a holiday and you yearn to be back in your environment (that is, in NY). That's when you know you're a NYer.
Do you lose your NY status if you leave? IMHO, the answer is yes, you do. How can you answer you're a NYer when you're living elsewhere at the moment (unless it's temporarily)? No, you can't have dual status. You're one or the other and that's that.
Phrases/slangs:
Bodega.
Hero (not subs, not hoagie).
The city- Manhattan only.
Schlep.
Bagel and a schmer.
So it all depends on who you ask, really...
4:46 PM
Typically, the New Yorker moniker refers to one from New York City, notably Manhattan though the other lesser known boroughs are included. In general, one who is raised in NYC and, therefore, exudes the mannerisms and behaviors native to their particular sector of NYC would be deemed a New Yorker. Thus, immigrants to NYC who take on these mannerisms/behaviors after some amount of years could be considered a New Yorker. Those New Yorkers who leave would probably not lose completely their conditioned mannerisms/behavior though they would learn to adjust to their new habitats. Given the prominence of NYC, there exists a certain awe and disdain for New Yorkers as something is triggered when meeting a New Yorker, whether it's a "wow, you're from New York" or "so what if you're from fucking New York".
I can't think of any rites of passage though having ingrained cognitive abilities to manage one's life path in New York is certainly a requirement. Having a sense of urgency to get somewhere to get something done would be a particular strong trait of New Yorkers, "move it fuckface".
A few notable New Yorker words/phrases could be:
"move your fucking car asshole"
*honking* as soon as the light turns green or 15 seconds after a person enters their car prior to giving up a choice parking spot
"yo, taxi!"
"Soho"
Houston (pronouced house-ston as opposed to hew-ston)
"gimme a knish (or nish)"
5:40 PM
I'm not sure if there's a "set" of rules concerning being a NYer. Carrie Bradshaw once said that one becomes an official NYer after living here for 10 years. I just passed five.
Due to the diversity of the city, I don't think anyone can come up with one specific definition. I can tell you what I think, however.
For me, a true NYer is someone who literally would not be comfortable living anywhere else. For many, a move to NY is temporary; a "fling" in the big city before retreating back to a suburban hometown life, or a move to Jersey, The Island (and I don't mean the Isle of Manhattan), Connecticut, etc.
I never felt really "at home" anywhere until I came to NY, and I think it's a refuge for misfits. Living in NY is not suitable for many people, as it requires a lot of stress and sacrifice. For true NYers, the pros outweigh the cons.
I do think there are some "common" characteristics of NYers:
1. The ability to use a sidewalk like an avenue, weaving in and out of tourists efficiently.
2. A tendancy towards being cranky, even in a humerous way.
3. The ability to tolerate diversity (and maybe even appreciate it deep down, even when it's annoying).
4. A hatred of all things George W Bush, as well as religious fundamentalists.
5. A strong hatred (and veeeery occasionally a yearning for) chain restaurants.
6. An inability to find a city that's better than NYC.
Some NY phrases:
"What the fuck?!"
"I've got to stop at Duane."
"One coffee, light and sweet."
"Take the express."
"Move!"
"LES"
"Hssssssss..." (the sound of sexual harassment coming from a Latino construction worker)
Finally, we don't whistle for cabs. That only happens in the movies.
11:07 AM
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