New Yorkers: What are they like?!
Not to sound like a broken record, but the New York episode of The Layover. What was that about? While it provided two amusing moments for me, a large part of it seemed surprisingly misinformed.
- After Tony and David (Chang) indulge in a couple of Crif Dogs and melted yellow plastic, they head into PDT which is a well known “speakeasy” (haha) attached to Crif Dogs. You have to go through a telephone booth and whisper something stupid and voila, you’re in. For some reason, Tony thinks PDT is akin to the most horrible place you’ll ever go to in New York (any place in Meatpacking or Times Square) in that you, the regular Joe, will never get to see the inside of the speakeasisest of speakeasies. So, ok, how does Anthony Bourdain not know that PDT is not an exclusive place? Don’t they research the places they end up going to?
- And how does he not know that New York offers PLENTY of options for good meals under $15? Way to be a New Yorker, Tony.
- Can everyone stop giving stupid advice to tourists that they never end up listening to anyway? They’re on vacation, and they will wear what they want to wear, fanny packs and all, and they will use maps to their hearts’ content. I remember several years ago, backpacks were also considered a surefire way to mark yourself as an outsider, which is, like, the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Of course, right now backpacks are very en vogue thanks to ’90s nostalgia. Even mini backpacks. Sorry.
- And with that said, how many New Yorkers dress well? The majority are wearing business clothes most of the day or they’re wearing Rocawear’s finest. Which is totally fine because…
- The great thing about New York is that you can pretty much wear whatever you want without anyone really caring about what you are wearing (unless you are an 18-year old girl wearing presumably dirty oversized men’s Pokemon underwear as shorts, which I saw once in Williamsburg, which would have been fine if the Pokemon underwear had been clean). Even people who are considered by whichever set to be “stylish” are doing it more for themselves than for the people around them.
- Most tourists stick to Manhattan. What is going to happen to them in Manhattan? Unless you’re Gavin Degraw in the East Village, you’ll be OK.
At least I don’t feel as silly calling myself a New Yorker anymore, thanks to Anthony Bourdain’s generous definition that a New Yorker is someone who still likes and remains in New York after two years of abuse. That is like exactly how I am! WOW! Thanks, Tone. I’m sorry I don’t share your sentiments regarding what is “just not done” (carrying around weekenders and large bags) or that finding $15 meals is pretty easy. I still think you are great, and could you please tell David Chang to do something about Momofuku Milk Bar? Like maybe make it better?
