Why do SO MANY people believe that New Yorkers are jerks?

Question

...I couldn't disagree more with that myth. I always have found the majority of NYers to be helpful, friendly, and proud of their city.

Are they rushed? They have to be, they're a busy people.

Are they cautious? They have to be, we're not talking about Oz here.

Are they open-minded? Well, in a city that attracts people from 170 different nations, speaking just as many, if not more, languages and dialects, why wouldn't you be?

Do they help their fellow human beings in times of dyer need? NYers seem to be among the first to do so.

I live in middle America (Kentucky) and I believed the whole "New York rude" myth UNTIL I visited. Now, I want to thank NYers for your gift to the world: Your great city!

Camarogirl67: Hmmm...I'm discovering more all the time that Alabamians are kinda weird. I used to like that state, but the more people I meet from there, the more I think it's full of some major jerks!

I disagree w/ you about KY. I don't like it because it is much like Alabama. I live here, TRUST ME!!!

Answer 1

It's just like why most people think Texans are stupid hicks. Some people are just closed minded and believe the common stereotypes they hear.

Answer 2

Don't forget there is NYC and then there is Upstate New York. I was born and raised in Upstate New York in Wappingers Falls New York. I have lived in Colorado for 27yrs. I came here with a military man I married and got divorced. I love the weather here, but my heart and soul belongs to New York. I will be a New Yorker til I die. I personally know that New Yorkers are the first to stand up for what is right and just. They are friendly they will tell you their who life story. The farther upstate you go the slower paced it is. My accent comes back when I go back. People are very honest and will go out of their way for someone they don't even know. My Mom had Alzheimer's disease and all kinds of people brought her home. Would they do that here? Don't count on it. I do love New York.There will always be rude people anywhere you go. I now I am homesick......

Answer 3

What most people don't understand is that Manhattan are full of tourists. Many of these tourists don't understand the American nature of things, so they do push and shove and never apologize for it. And when it's tourists from other states, they are probably too scared(most believe ny is a bad place full of muggers and terrorists, or just not used to the large crowds) to realize that they are pushing and shoving.

New York is a HUGE place with TOO many people moving at a fast pace. They may not be jerks, although some are, but not all, but they just want to hurry and get to where theyw ant to go. In NYC, you have to move fast if you want to get anywhere. And it's extremely hard to move with ALL of those people around.

Answer 4

I think on an average day to day interaction a lot of us are jerks. That's what happens when you have so many people from so many places all in one very small geographical area.

That said:

I think you'll find that 19 out of 20 times..if you are a person in need of any type of assistance...the average New Yorker will impress you significantly.

We are generally...crunchy on the outside...but soft and chewy on the inside.

The rudeness...for the most part is a facade. Friendly people in this city can be viewed as weak and vulnerable...ie...prey to the predators that abound. But injustice isn't tolerated very well over here..

Answer 5

Because those people are the jerks!
I am a NYer and love the city and all the people that make it such a great place to be!
Thank you for your sweet woids!

Answer 6

As a native New Yorker, I thank you for the nice words you have to say about our city. I feel like I spend so much of my life defending the city that it feels wonderful for once to be able to thank someone for the appreciation that they felt for visiting here. Yes, we can be brusque at times, the city is over crowded and it's hard to get a cab and people are pushing and shoving and there are just too many people for this tiny Island. It's too expensive, it has too many tourists, too many inhabitants, it's hard to get around, but for me it's been my home and I love it. I love traveling and seeing the rest of the world, but I always know as soon as I cross a bridge or a tunnel, I'm home.
I know I'm one of those people who loves to help out of towners, as I have traveled so much. I feel good about being able to give directions and recommendations for restaurants or places to visit, it's my home and I want to share it with those who want to see it. I really think that the rude people are the tourists, so far every fight for a cab I've had (and I'm disabled with a cane and braces) has been with a foreigner who has pushed me out of the way or knocked me over. So, thank you for visiting and please come again.

Answer 7

Each city always has there rude crowd, You can´t judge a whole population on just a few people.. I agree with you, you have to be open minded...

Take care..

Bcn_mimosa from Barcelona, Spain

Answer 8

I thought New Jerseyians (right next to NY) were really nice actually. I just drove cross country from CA to NY. And the rudest people - people in Alabama. They just stared at you. Didn't smile or anything - would look away but then resume staring and you'd catch them again. What is that about? Maybe they could tell we just weren't from around those parts. Anyhoo, no need to stare.

And people in KY were so nice!

Answer 9

Reppin The Big NYC!

Answer 10

I personally from being form New York, Find that it's the New Jersey people who put a bad rep on New York. Whenever someone is from out of town, all they see are New Jersey cars flying by them in New York.