First ever trip to new York.....,

[Heretolearn]

Hi, next Friday I embark on my lifelong dream trip to new York. Just 2 weeks this time but all I can afford off work And with Limited cash. I am a 29 yr old guy from Australia but currently in a country town 7000 population and no fast food or even traffic lights.

Pretty excited. Staying with a local friend. I also teach salsa so plan to train with the best. No ma training. Will just chill. So what tips can you give me please. Completely clueless so:

eating

what sort of budget? Any cheap grocery chains to get by?


Tips?


10% standard even if they suck? For everything? What is stuff you do not tip for?


Things to see?


Figured I would wander around. Maybe check some museums and galleries?

Girls

should really have no fear considering I am leaving but any general hints?


Phone?

Anything else? Thanks heaps. How safe is it generally for a 6"2 clueless white guy to wander the streets? Thanks

 

[Mr. Me]

If you're coming from a small country town that never had traffic lights to NYC... oh, it's going to be just a wee bit overwhelming. And you'll love it.

You tip taxis, waitstaff and bartenders. Taxis are usually just a couple of bucks, keep the change sort of thing. Tipping is about 15 to 20% (on the subtotal, not the tax!) at restaurants, diners, depending on how you think the service was. Drinks at a bar, the tip is a usually dollar a drink. But don't tolerate service that sucks if you come across a place that's sub par, which you really shouldn't experience if you go where crowds go.

You'll be safe walking around. It's not like they portray it in the movies. Of course, any big city has its crime, so, don't be stupid and go walking alone in isolated areas like Central Park or barren streets at 4 AM. At any time, just keep your wits about you.

Girls? They're everywhere. You'll be in town for the best season to see women in NYC: Summer. Though many may be away for the last couple of weeks of August. But there'll still be a few million around. Depending on what type you want to bump into, that's which neighborhood you'd go. The east village and lower east side has cool, younger hipsters and a slew of places to hang. Areas like the meatpacking district (around Little West 12 Street & Hudson) has the club scene going, miniskirted and international crowd. Waves of people all around out late on Fridays and Saturdays. It's fantastic.

Wander around? I think it's better to line some definite stuff up. Museums, galleries (lots in Chelsea), live music (east village and lower east side is good for that), obscure little shows (just saw a Kiss themed burlesque show at Joe's Pub the other night), get twofers for broadways shows, look up nymag, timeoutny and flavorpill for events. Enjoy.

 

[Pickupmilitia]

I like mid town the best for closing hot tourists

 

[STR8UP]

Order a Reuben at the Carnegie Deli. $22 worth of heaven.

The fact that the service might be lacking and that you will be sitting on top of people you don't even know to have the privilege of this treat is only part of the charm.

Bring a friend.

 

[edger]

Sam, I tried Soho Grand Hotel last week with my buddy, and wasn't too impressed. We walked into the place around 12:30 a.m. or so, only to find a small room with a bar, with maybe 30 people, mostly guys..total sausage fest. Too many f*ckin' guys in Manhattan. Seems like it's like that everywhere in Manhattan. Was even hanging in the Meat-Packing District this past weekend, and same sh*t.

I also don't know what's up with all the hype about the Meat-Packing District having the "hottest" women...I think the lower east side and the village in general has it beat. You can walk anywhere on the lower east side and village on any given Friday and Saturday night and see a ton of hot, mini-skirted d*ck-teases walking about. I wasn't too impressed with the choice of music they play at a lot of these bars in the Meat-Packing District either. No offense to all the Hip-Hoppers out there, but all you hear all night is "YO YO YO YO!" Hip Hop, and whiny R&B music, with all the yuppies dancing to it thinking they're all black or something. Funny sh*t to say the least, because these are also many of the same people who wouldn't give a black "Hip-Hopper" the time of day, which I could never understand(and guys, I'm not using the word "yuppie" derrogatorily, virtually all my friends are yuppies - I like and get along with everyone). Anyway, I was hoping to maybe hear some Depeche Mode, INXS, some trance/techno, etc. mixed in, but apparently that's asking for too much.

 

[jophil28]

I am a 29 yr old guy from Australia but currently in a country town 7000 population and no fast food or even traffic lights.
Anything else? Thanks heaps. How safe is it generally for a 6"2 clueless white guy to wander the streets? Thanks

7000 population ? What town are you from? I bet you been eating dirt and dust for the past 10 years.
That first Bud at JFK is going to taste pretty damn fine.

Let your accent work for you. The girls will want to take you home like you are some kind of souvenir .
BTW, there is no need to wear your hat dancing Salsa unless you want to be mistaken for Croc Dundee .
:crackup: :crackup:

Have fun...

 

[edger]

Let your accent work for you.

Yeah English accents are awesome(although I'm aware there's a difference between the Aussie accent and British accent). Wish I had one. A British one that is. Sorry, but I like British accents better my lord. Haha. I can actually do quite an impersonation though. I should start talking like an Englishman, maybe I'll get out of this rut. Hehe, I'm just playin'.

 

[Hooligan Harry]

Better than a South African accent. No one understands us half the time.

The only person who ever pulled it off was Leonardo in Blood Diamond. I cant believe how rough we sound. Although chances are I could tell half the bimbos in New York I am from Australia and they would not know the difference. Might actually be worth a shot next time Im overseas I get the weirdest questions when I tell people I come from Africa.

7000 people in your town though? Have you ever been to Sydney or Melbourne?

 

[scrouds]

Dinosaur bbq and white castle and the best pizza in the world. I miss NY food.

Also nathans, any good jewish deli, bagels, hell even kaiser rolls.