Language
George Bernard Shaw once said that England and America were two countries separated by a common language. The language is English but delivered in a way only New Yorkers know how. On the other hand, you might hear Spanish, Portuguese, Cantonese or Italian as these communities – and many more – live side by side in the Big Apple.
Currency And Tipping
The American dollar or greenback, made up of 100 cents. And just in case you need to know, a nickel is 5 cents, a dime is 10 and a quarter 25. The customary tipping rate is 15-20% for taxi drivers and waiters; bellhops are usually given $2 a bag in luxury hotels and $1 elsewhere; hotel maids should be tipped $2 a day. A doorman who hails or helps you into a cab can be tipped $1 or $2. You should also tip your hotel concierge for services rendered.
Dress Code
New York’s summer can be very hot and humid – wear light clothing, walk on the shady side of the street and try to think cool thoughts. But take an umbrella – torrential downpours can occur. Winters can be very severe. Dress in layers because stores and restaurants keep things pretty warm and you’ll need to disrobe. Many of New York City’s finer restaurants require that a jacket blazer be worn at diner, so check in advance.
Safety
New York’s reputation as a dangerous city is largely a thing of the past. However, as in any other big city, there are pickpockets in tourist areas. Keep an eye on belongings at all times and stick to streets where others are walking late at night.
Travel
Manhattan is best seen on foot. Although the city might seem enormous and intimidating, the grid system is easy to negotiate once you’ve got yourself a good map. It’s really great for walking because it can be broken down easily into manageable sections. When walking, always obey pedestrian signs! The subway is available if you need to cover a larger distance. New York’s subway system is used by five million people a day. The system can seem complicated at first but it’s logical once you get the hang of it. Letters or numbers are used to distinguish the trains, and colours are used to denote different lines, with stations named after their street location. New York’s bus system is far-reaching and allows great views of New York street life at a more leisurely pace. Have the exact change ready.
