10 tips to blend in like a local in New York
Want to experience New York like a true New Yorker? Here are the key habits and details you need to adopt to fit right in.
Here’s everything you need to know to avoid looking like a tourist in New York:
1/ Walk on the right
- In New York, pedestrian traffic on sidewalks follows the same rules as vehicle traffic: keep to the right. This keeps foot traffic flowing smoothly and helps you blend in.
2/ Walk around with your coffee
- In the morning, this is what New Yorkers do: many head to work or chat with colleagues outside their office building, coffee in hand. In Midtown or the Financial District, you’ll see this everywhere. So grab a coffee and walk around with it too!
3/ Grab a quick bite from a street vendor
- New Yorkers are always hungry and always in a hurry. You’ll find street vendors selling hot dogs, bagels, and pretzels throughout the city, especially in Midtown and the Financial District. Perfect for snacking between meals.
4/ Remember to tip
- Service is rarely included in the bill at New York restaurants. You add a tip at the end, separate from the bill. The minimum is 20%, regardless of service quality. You can leave more if you had excellent service. If you want to fit in as a local, factor in the tip and don’t leave looking confused about it—that’s a dead giveaway for tourists.
5/ Move through subway turnstiles with confidence
- To look like a real New Yorker, pass through subway turnstiles the way locals do: quickly and smoothly, tapping your OMNY transit card in one fluid motion.
6/ Take the subway without checking the map
- Real New Yorkers navigate the subway without help. Only tourists get lost down there. Here are 10 things to know about using the New York subway.
7/ Don’t say “dollar”
- In New York, only tourists call them “dollars.” Real New Yorkers say “bucks.” If someone asks for “fifty bucks,” that’s $50.
8/ Don’t carry a wallet
- Wallets aren’t really a thing in New York. Many locals just keep their bills in their pocket, organized by denomination. Some use a money clip to keep all their cash together.
9/ Eat your burger with your hands
- In New York, you eat a burger with your hands. Here’s a tip: hold it with one hand and flip it so the bottom of the bun faces up—this keeps the filling from falling out.
10/ Get out of Manhattan
- While Manhattan has most of the major sights, don’t spend your whole visit there. Walk the streets of Flushing in Queens, explore Hoboken in New Jersey, or visit Staten Island and the Bronx. You’ll start to feel like you actually live here instead of just passing through. Check out our guide to 10 off-the-beaten-path places in New York.
