The New York Shove

Before I start ranting and before the hate mail rolls in, know that I am a New Yorker. I was born and raised and I still live in the Big Apple. I love New York City, especially its diversity, conveniences, and its people who don't take slack from anyone.

But this New York guard has its drawbacks. Many tourists confuse it as rudeness. While I may the loudest in the city to refute such an inaccurate stereotype, this generalization often hits the bull's eyes. For example, in London there are signs everywhere (including in the Underground Tube [the London subway system] and in the streets themselves) which direct pedestrians to walk on the right side of the walkway, and many people actually follow these signs. I have been trying to practice this rule since myreturn a year and a half ago. The result: countless shoves, pushes, and strangers feet stepping on my Aldos pumps before scurrying (or shoving) through the crowd. I understand that most of these shoves are accidental. But if your intention is not to be cursed out in Spanish by a short Latina, then an apology has to follow. Unfortunately, "I'm sorry", "Please," and "Thank you" are not common courtesies in the Big Apple.