13 Signs You Are A Real New Yorker

New Yorkers are fiercely protective of their culture. They’ll be the first to claim that only a New York-born can genuinely belong there, but some people just have a special connection to the city that can’t be denied. But have you got what it takes to survive in the Big Apple? We’ve got the top signs that you know how to handle big city life and you are a real New Yorker.

Here are the signs that show you’re a real New Yorker,

1. You know never to walk right by the road when it’s raining

Unless you’re a fan of dirty street water getting splashed at you, you always do to steer clear of the way when there’s a sudden downpour.

2. You’re not even surprised anymore when you spot a celeb out

If Kim Kardashian walked in while you were eating dinner, you wouldn’t be shocked in the slightest. You’d just casually snap a quick photo and then go back to your meal.

3. You know at least one person who has a mutual connection to the Strokes

New Yorker life is never being out of the loop for too long in the world of music – if you’ve never come into contact with the Strokes, do you even live in New York?

4. You know how to be fashionably late, and pull it off

Turning up on time isn’t the New York way. Tell you time, and you’ll be there thirty minutes afterward is one of the signs of a real New Yorker.

5. You know the city like the back of your hands

Tourists are drawn to you like a magnet, probably because you look like a New Yorker. You’re a walking, breathing map of NYC, and you’re always willing to lend a hand to the poor souls who need directions.

6. You fall asleep on the subway, and still, never miss your stop

Your body is trained to know when you’ve arrived at your destination and this is one of the signs of a real New Yorker. You’d never take a nap and wake up on the other side of the city, because by now, riding the subway is as natural as breathing.

7. You’re tuned into any and every accent

You meet so many people in New York that you can identify any accent with no trouble at all. You make the best accent impressions of anyone – after all, you’ve had enough practice.

8. Gross street meat does not easily faze you

You could eat corn dogs for breakfast. You’ve tried just about every vendor in NYC, and you’ve got your favorite stops for every type of street food. You don’t care where it’s been; it’s headed straight for your tummy.

9. You don’t wait in line for anybody

A long queue is your worst enemy and can stress you out in New York. You know when to quit, especially when the range is more extended than the eye can see. To catch you queuing, the sales have to be pretty darn good.

10. You know the local bodega cat by name

It would be rude to leave the store without saying hi to Mr. Mews.

11. You know the ins and outs of real estate – it’s just crazy!

You revel in talking about the high housing climate in NYC. It’s almost a contest to see who is getting their money’s worth, and who is paying outlandish amounts for no reason.

12. You know the weekends are the worst for going out

Any New Yorker knows it’s a crazy idea to go out on the weekend. Weekdays FTW.

13. You know the golden rule – never get an Uber on NYE

Yellow cab or nothing!

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Hayley Anderton

Hayley Anderton is a Creative Writing graduate from Liverpool. She’s a freelance writer and the self-published novelist of the LGBT YA book, Double Bluff. She doesn’t go anywhere without a notepad and has been writing ever since she can remember. Her other interests include baking, talking about politics and feminism, and snuggling up with her cat. She has dreams of traveling the world with her best friends, and of being a well-known author someday.