*Comfy Shoes*- This is pretty self explanatory! Don't let those girls on Sex and the City mislead you- flats, boots, sneakers and wedges are your key to making it through the crap load of blocks you'll be walking!
- Rain boots are a must! No one wants soggy feet, so get a pair and get the thermal inserts for the winter. Plus they are super cute, especially in the summer! Trust me; you will be glad you have them when you approach a street corner that requires a Gondola to get across!
*Sanity*
- Just be aware that you will lose it, over and over and over again!
*Tray Holding Skills*
- It sucks, but restaurants equal flexible hours and decent money. These skills will help you move from one job to another pretty easily, and if you are anything like me, you will move around a lot due to lacking sanity and boredom.
*Splurge*
- There is too much going on in this city to not enjoy it! Allow yourself to have that girl's night or those super cute shoes! Withholding things from your life makes you bitter and jaded, and that will happen soon enough anyways!
- Get yourself an AC unit for your window. It may seem unnecessary and excessive, but you could save a few dollars and go crazy or just get the damn unit.
*Become a Regular*
- I always loved how in movies of the city the character would be walking down the street and the street cart vendor would know their name. It was so silly, but it does happen. Even though there are millions of people in the city, you will see some of the same people every day! So, smile at the doorman!
- Go to the same Bodega every day- these guys will not only hook you up, but they will offer their cat to you when you have a mouse, and help you break into your apartment when you are locked out.
- Go to the same bar every Friday (or Tuesday or everyday). Even if you have one drink, the bartender that you have now gotten to know will be excited to see you. You may get a free drink, but you will also be bringing light to someone who was surrounded by tourists, bad tippers and nasty managers, even if just for a few minutes. Just don't go and be a creepy stalker and don't go in expecting anything.
- Get to know your Barista. There is a Starbucks on every corner, sometimes two on each, so get to know the people making your much needed caffeinated beverages. You don't have to chat them up, but maybe get to know their name. It will make those quick trips even quicker, and you might even get an upgrade!
*Avoid Times Square*
- You can also add Harold Square and the Abercrombie on Fifth Ave to that as well. The people, AKA Tourists, will make you crazy!
*Know How to Navigate*
- NYC is a pretty easy city to navigate around, thanks to the numbers system! But, be sure you know that Uptown is the Bronx, Downtown is to Brooklyn, Queens is to the East and New Jersey is to the West! This will help when getting on and off trains! Think ahead, and if you are lost, do NOT stop in the middle of the street, move to the side.
- Know your public restrooms. When you are out and about all day, the use of a restroom will become dire. Some places will make you buy something, but in others you can be more discreet. Just think ahead and always make it look like you are supposed to be there, even if you're not!
- Do what a true New Yorker does: Walk, Shop, Eat, Drink, REPEAT!
*You Will NEVER Have Enough Money*
- You just won't. Even if you are Donald Trump. The city is expensive and demanding. So save when you can but don't stress, it will work out somehow, just keep plowing through.
- Even though you know you have no money, there are of course people worse off than you, but don't try to give money to everyone! Half of the people standing on the street are scamming you, and the other half would take an apple if you had it, so keep an extra granola bar in your bag and give it to the deserving instead.
*Watch What Car You Get On*
- Don't get excited when the subway pulls in and the car in front of you is completely empty; this only happens when it is either without AC or when a homeless person is rotting away! Go to the next car!
*McDonalds is NOT Your Friend*
- Don't let the dollar menu and supersize options cloud your mind- McDonalds is not the way to proper nutrition. I lived off of Mcy D's when I first moved to the city, I thought it was great! It was saving me money, and it had options for every meal, and great little snacks too! Then I realized I was fat! Don't do what I did! Don't do it!
*You May Be Bigger Than Them, but They Are Everywhere*
- I'm talking about bugs! It's a dirty city, filled with tunnels and bridges and millions of people constantly in transit. You need to be prepared to see a cockroach in the bathroom, a rat in the subway and yes... deal with Bedbugs. It sucks! It's not fun at all, but suck it up and deal with it!
*Allow Yourself Some R & R*
- The city is grueling and stressful. This place will rape you of your sanity and your money. You need to allow yourself a break! Take a mental health day and if you can, take it out of the city! Go away to the Hamptons, or even Jersey. Take a trip or even just a day to the beach, close your eyes and relax because the second you get back it'll be like you never left.
*Be Nice*
- Even though cabbies don't have feelings, you should still be nice to them because Karma is a bitch!
- Subtlety is key especially with celebrities. You may think you are being nice by indulging them with flattery, but the nicer thing to do, is just leave them alone!
- Smile when you walk down the street. I'm not saying full on teeth smile, but you'd be surprised how refreshing it is to pass someone who looks happy. Oh, and you never know who you're going to pass, it could be your big break!
- Don't burn bridges! Everyone knows each other in this city! You will be black listed before you can say "SJP" if you mess with the wrong person!
- Call your mother- or she will call you. Until you answer. And annoy you like hell. Oh, is that just my mother? Ok then, use when necessary!
*Happy Hour*
- This will be the best thing that has ever happened to you. Cheap drinks, discounted tapas and men in suits looking to impress! When all is said and done you are home and in bed (drunk) by eleven and have spent half as much money as a crazy night out!
*Tip Properly*
- Considering you will most likely work in the service industry at some point, it's a matter of karma. Tip your bartender, your cabbie and even your doorman. Trust me, they will be nicer to you and life will be easier! Think of 15% as being the bare minimum, 20% should be standard, and of course give more when deserved!
*Love Your Gays*
- Everyone has a gay best friend, but these fabulous people make the essence of the city. They have the best clubs, they always love to brunch, they never lie about clothes and hair, they love to gossip, they will never ever let you drink alone, they always enjoy a Barbara or Liza sing-a-long and they truly appreciate your breasts! Not only are they fabulous but they make you more fabulous when you are around them! (And if you ask nicely, they will usually make-out with you too!)
*F-R-I-E-N-D-S*
- Make them. Love them. Appreciate them. Be good to them. Good friends are hard to find and in NYC they become your family. Having people that make you happy and laugh, that kick you in the ass and hold your hair back when you puke are the only way you will make it day to day in this city. So if you thought you could do it alone, good luck, I'll be out with my girls!
I miss your blog!!!
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