1. CULTURAL FAUX PAS
IN NEW YORK CITY
Tips on what not-to-do,
you’ll thank me later.

2. WHAT IS A FAUX PAS?
 (n.)
A socially awkward act
 From French: a false step

3. NEW YORKER’S ARE VERY PARTICULAR
 Stuff New Yorker’s Say Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRvJylbSg7o

4. UNWRITTEN RULES OF THE SUBWAY
 When you get on a
bus or step up to a
subway turnstile,
have your change
or MetroCard ready
 Let people off the
subway before
entering
 Refer to the subway
lines by their number
or letter, not color

5. HOW BEST TO REFER TO
LOCATIONS
 When you refer to locations in
Manhattan, it’s better to start with the
street, then the avenue.
 If you're going to 9th Street and 3rd
Avenue, say "Ninth and Third," instead
of "Third and Ninth."
 Also if you're in Manhattan, most people
do not refer to "North" and "South;" it's
better to say "Uptown" and
"Downtown," respectively.

6. NEW YORK IS A WALKING CITY
 Don’t complain about walking. Very few places are
located directly on public transit and most journeys
require at least some walking.
 It's often the fastest way around, and it's definitely the
healthiest, cheapest, and best for the environment.

7. PRIVACY IS IMPORTANT
 Don’t interfere with others' privacy. New York is a
very crowded place. The way people deal with it is to
create their own space.
 This can be communicated through eye contact. If you
stare at someone on the subway or if you seem to be
intentionally listening in to another's conversation, you
may be violating one of New York's most sacred
unwritten rules.

8. AMERICAN IDIOMS
“Blow off some steam”
 To enjoy oneself by finding a way to relax
 "Blowing off steam" in actual boiler prevents
explosions by relieving the pressure through
venting excess steam
 “Joe studied every day this week, so on the
weekend he played golf to blow off some
steam.”

9. “Down to the wire”
 Undecided until the end, at the last minute.
 This phrase refers to races (i.e. horse race)
where the winner is determined by whoever
crosses the finish line (wire, string, or tape) first
 “The traffic was so bad we almost missed our
flight, it came right down to the wire.”