Walking Rules, New York City

Nothing will make you look like more of an idiot than standing on teh corner waiting for the light to change. You'll quickly notice, no one else does. Now i won't advise walking straight into traffic-- if you're not used to it, you will cause a scene. But if nothing;s coming, feel free to walk anytime.
Now here's teh big secret:
The car wants to hit you less than you want to avoid being hit. Well mayybe not yout, but any native new yorker would feel this way. THe driver will get into all sorts of trouble if he hits you. On teh contrast, if you are hit, teh vast majority of the time you will get up and walk away. So teh driver will stop if you get in the way, even if they cut it mighty close.

I know NYC is overwhelming, but do yourself and the locals a favor. If you are lost, step to the side (preferably to the right, or the inside of the sidewalk). Don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk and stand there. You will become the equivalent of a road block and will seriously impede all foot traffic behind you. You may be on vacation, but for the other 8 million people who live here, we are trying to get somewhere. Also, don't be afraid to ask someone for directions or to orient you (which way to Park Avenue?). NYers are quite friendly and willing to help. Just don't slow us down! :)

In Manhattan, the crosswalk signs state "Walk" or "Don't Walk", but this appears to be a suggestion, not a rule. If there isn't any traffic driving through the intersection at that precise moment, everyone just crosses regardless of the crosswalk signs. And heck, I'm sure crosswalks are merely suggestions as well!

If you come from a city where people don't do this, it might take a little getting used to, but then you learn to adapt. It becomes more efficient to walk block after block in New York this way, otherwise if you stop for every crosswalk "Don't Walk" sign, it'll take you forever to get anywhere.

Even if there are obvious oncoming cars, people tend to time it right, and they'll dash across the street after checking both ways. I imagine that cars do not stop for pedestrians (unlike some cities where if you're even standing on the sidewalk peering over the street attempting to jaywalk, cars will stop dead for you)...

... fortunately New York's not like that.

I beg you, bear in mind that a revolving door is not a toy or a carnival ride. Like all walking in New York, walking through one of these oddly-foreign-to-many-tourists devices is easiest if you keep to your right. If you (and especially your child) enjoy having all your fingers and toes intact, resist the temptation to cram more than one person into a section of a revolving door (unless, maybe, if it's one of the big ones designed for suitcases, as sometimes seen in hotel lobbies). They're designed for one person per section, and I personally assure you that the 2 seconds you're separated from your friend while inside the revolving door won't result in any harm to either of you, but it will help everyone get where they're going quickly and safely.

In addition, PLEASE glance over your shoulder before you make any sudden change in speed or direction when walking on the streets, just as you would if you were driving, to make sure it's a safe and appropriate time and place to do it. An apartment building doorway, most of the time, is an ok place to stop (briefly) during business hours, but an office building doorway and especially a store/restaurant doorway, is not. At the top of a subway staircase (i.e. on the open side, not the banister side) is NEVER a good place to stop, nor is the bottom of any staircase or either end of any escalator, anywhere.

Furthermore, under no circumstances should you walk more than two-abreast as a group, no matter how fast a pace you're keeping, because if you're three wide, you're most likely going to collide with people walking the other direction.

If you can't keep up (or don't want to), don't fret - just use common sense and common courtesy, go at your own pace and try not to block people. Many people are going to work or getting work done - reason for the rush - and every little slowdown affects their efforts, so be courteous - be aware and let people through when possible.

As a native NYer, besides the minor annoyance, I don't have problem with people going slow or stopping (but if you need to stop, slow a bit first so people behind you don't crash into you or go flying!). In fact I wouldn't call myself "native NYer" if I wasn't able to maneuver around slow and stalled people. Still, try not to be a roadblock, otherwise while natives wouldn't have trouble, the tourists will be tripping flying over you (and cursing in all sorts of exotic languages!). Problem comes with groups of people who stop, mull about or otherwise block a much of the block and don't leave room for anyone!

If you forget and someone does get upset, be cool and don't take it personal - they are actually mad at the 100s of other slowdowns they've encountered (or else got a bad hotel room with a lumpy bed).

Tip- lets say you're on a real busy street and for some reason you must stop for any reason to look at architecture, take pictures, tie shoelace etc, just move over to the nearest sidewalk obstruction - mailbox, hydrant, street sign and do your stuff there. That way you do not become the obstruction (even if you're a bit, eh, wider than the street sign) - easier for you and everyone around you. Just not at an intersection :-)

As to keep right advice - sure, keep that in mind (especially in subways!) but generally there are haphazard steams of people and get into the stream moving at your speed!

Least anyone think all of New York is crazy busy like this, the answer is no. But popular spots like 5th Ave and midtown (especially 42nd St!) do get this way.

As you know, New York is a hustle and bustle type of city. Many people are rushing to get somewhere and there is nothing worse than a tourist standing in the middle of the sidewalk gazing up at a building or staring at a map. There is nothing wrong with wanting to see the sights or figuring out where you are going...but stand off to the side and whatever you do...DON'T block a subway entrance. You may get a taste of New York attitude real quick.

Going up stairs, going down stairs, on the escalators, walking down the street, moving in GENERAL:

Please STAY TO YOUR RIGHT. New York City is a city of people, vehicles, bikes, and skates. It is a city of TRAFFIC. To keep things moving, we need people to follow the same rules as everyone else, which is to keep to your right. Just like driving in the US, the left lane is the FAST lane. If you're strolling, move it to the right. People here typically pass on the left (yes, you native NYers, you KNOW you pass on the left, even if its subconsious!)

So please, for your sake and for ours, stay to the right. You really don't want to be yelled at on your vacation, do you?!

I understand that people are tourists in a big city where they haven't been before. I realize that large suitcases are part of the deal. I also understand that tourism in New York boosts the economy. However, PLEASE if you are touring New York, STAY TO THE RIGHT or KEEP MOVING.

People do live and work in New York. Please try to stay to the right or keep the line moving. Do not suddenly stop in the middle of a busy street. Move yourself and your luggage over to the building side of the sidewalk and peruse your maps from there. Do this to save yourselves from any harsh reprimands from people trying to get to work on time.

Also, NYC subways DO get VERY packed. More packed than some people might realize. There may be a point where you have less than an inch space from the next person and you might very well have your face stuck into someone's chest (if you're short like me!) Please try to make yourself compact because the subway mantra here is: You can ALWAYS fit in one more person.

If you have little kids, sit them on your lap if you can. If you have large suitcases, you can move yourself on top of them (sit on them?) to try to make room.

Basically, try to be considerate. The favor will be returned when you're trying to figure out directions to a restaurant downtown.