So, now that I've lived in Manhattan for a whole four months, I think that I've figured out how to recognize someone who lives here from, say, a tourist. Manhattanites have the following characteristics:
- They have perfect pedicures. If they are wearing sandals, their toes have been primped to look their utter cute-ist.
- They have perfect manicures.
- Their clothes fit perfectly. They might be wearing jeans and a T-shirt, but something about the fit looks extremely well put-together.
- They wear what is in style... to an extent. If it is comfortable, then it is part of the wardrobe. Otherwise, they don't bother. One result of this is that shoes tend to be both dressy and comfortable.
- Their hair is perfect. It's not overly moused or gelled, but loose and flowing and a very flattering cut.
- They are slim slim slim. New York defined the "you can't pinch an inch on me" commercials.
In short, New Yorkers look fabulous, both guys and gals. Tourists just look like... tourists.
On top of that, tourists
act like tourists. The two most annoying traits of a tourist: walking and not walking. A New Yorker walks with purpose, looking straight ahead, while a tourist walks slowly and keeps staring up, thus preventing the New Yorker from getting where he is going! Secondly, tourists will just suddenly stop. In particular, if they are about to cross a street and the little hand says don't cross, they will stop. It doesn't matter that the hand just started flashing, or that there is no traffic, they will stop until the little walking guy lights up. New Yorkers cross the street. If they can cross without being hit by a taxi, they will cross. It's part of getting to your destination. I'm surprised that there isn't more pedestrian rage in New York from tourists not crossing the street!
(For those who know me, I am now back to the same weight I was when I was 18, I curl 15-lb dumb bells, I wear a light amount of make-up, my fingernails are painted, my toenails are painted, my hair now has a cute little cut and has been dyed a little lighter for the summer months, I have two very nice perfumes (Jo Malone - highly recommended!), and I've started wearing dresses. In short, I'm becoming New York. :) Oh, and I cross the street whenever there is no traffic, regardless of the traffic light.)
