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Even though I have been running this cool blog since 1999 and being a die-hard New York fan, there are a few really annoying things about New York. Here is my list of 7 New York annoyances:
1 / Air conditioning that is too cold
You will immediately realize it in New York: Americans love air conditioning. Only problem: they like it when it is very cold because it helps to break the humidity. Result: while it is hot outside in summer, you will find a Siberian cold in restaurants and shops but also in museums and other observatories, such as the One World Observatory.
Same thing in the metro where you really have to be careful with hot and cold: the platforms are not air conditioned and you will sweat profusely while waiting for the metro but, once in the train, you will shiver from the cold because the air conditioning is low. . My advice: always have a sweater nearby! Unfortunately I saw on the forum New York many tourists who have caught a sore throat or a cold during their stay in New York …
2 / The smell of garbage in the streets
If you suddenly smell a bad smell as you walk the streets of New York, you are walking by a trash can! I don’t know how the garbage collection service is organized in New York, but in some parts of the city and at certain times it is better to step up on the sidewalk! Especially since the bags are sometimes piled up on the sidewalk. The Big Apple does not always smell of roses …
3 / Taxes never included in the price
Despite I don’t remember how many trips to the United States, I still don’t get used to the practice of posting tax-free prices, whether in stores or in restaurants. What is it for since, ultimately, these taxes must be paid. The problem is that this necessarily makes purchases more expensive, without us really realizing it.
In restaurants, the fact that the service is not understood each time complicates the final score and requires making calculations. A tip, however, to make your life easier: look at the amount of taxes indicated on the note and multiply this amount by two to obtain the minimum amount you must leave as a service. More information on this page dedicated to tips in New York.
4 / Public toilets open to the 4 winds
Whether at the airport, in museums or in public places, you will find that the doors of public toilets in the United States are never perfectly adjusted, revealing a dawn that is not very comfortable for Europeans used to doors. of WC perfectly closed.
To facilitate cleaning, the doors of American public toilets are also cut very short, leaving ample room for the lower legs to appear from the outside. I will pass you this public toilet where the tiling was so shiny that you could kindly greet your neighbors in the toilets… Nor do I tell you about the astonishing American flushes that spin for long seconds before finally trying to take everything away… American toilets are adventure!
5 / drinks filled with ice cubes
When ordering a drink in a restaurant, bar, or on the terrace of a cafe, remember to specify whether or not you want ice cubes. Because, by default, the American practice is to fill the glass with ice cubes up to half and then add the drink. Result: you have almost nothing to drink and you pay for ice cubes. To have a glass without ice cubes, simply indicate “no ice please”. And if the waiter brings you a glass full of ice cubes anyway, refuse it and ask for “no ice” again!
6 / XXL portions in restaurants
Unlike restaurants in Europe where the portions are sometimes way too “nouvelle cuisine”, American restaurants give you what you pay for. And it is sometimes frankly too much! This is particularly the case in the Délis, where the portions of smoked meat or dessert are in XXL size.
Rather than wasting food, don’t hesitate to order a main course for two, even if it means ordering a dessert. Another solution: ask for a “doggy bag” to take your leftovers. By the way, know that the word “doggy bag” is not an English word but a French invention: in the United States, ask for a “take away box”.
7 / The inconveniences of the New York subway
The New York subway is obviously very convenient for getting around and visiting the city. But the New York subway is not perfect either, far from it. In addition to the issue of air conditioning mentioned above, you will often have to deal with changes in services and the closure of a particular station for work. This usually happens on weekends with untimely and incomprehensible line changes. Of course, maintenance has to be done, but it’s never practical.
In the metro, you will also have plenty of time to appreciate the long plastic benches, without clearly defined space. Enough to find yourself with your neighbor on your knees during rush hour. Without counting those who fall asleep on you …
And you, what bothered you in New York? Feel free to drop a comment below, on the forum New York or on the page Facebook of the site.
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