New York City has been referred to many ways: as "The City that Never Sleeps," "The Big Apple" and the "concrete jungle where dreams are made." However, New Yorkers have a simpler term for it: home.
But as city that adopts hundreds of thousands of new residents each year, it's tough to pinpoint the exact moment someone becomes a real New Yorker. These signs are generally a good indication that you've shed your "newbie" badge and are officially a New York City initiate.
1. You are physically incapable of waiting on the curb for the walk sign to change.
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2. You anticipate that Google Maps will always overestimate your walk time but underestimate driving time.
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3. You know a place to drink in every NYC neighborhood, regardless of your apartment location.
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4. When getting off the subway, you can accurately direct yourself to the exit closest to your final destination.
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5. You know to avoid empty subway cars at all costs, especially at rush hour. It's not a blessing. Trust us.
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6. Saying "excuse me" on the street doesn't mean you want to be excused. It has simply become a polite way of saying "get the hell out of my way."
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7. You have perfected the eye roll for anyone who is incapable of successfully swiping their metro card on the first attempt at the turnstile.
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8. You've seen at least one cockroach, mouse and/or rat in the confines of your home, your subway station or your walk to work.
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9. The smell of the Halal/pretzel/nuts/hot dog stands that once seemed appetizing now make your stomach turn.
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10. Brunch has become both a therapy session and a religious experience.
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11. The only time you truly feel sympathy is when you see a big dog that you realize must live in a tiny apartment.
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12. When you're driving a car, you handle it like you're a drag-racing 16-year-old boy or an overly cautious 80-year-old grandmother.
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13. You've given up hope that there's ever a good time to go to Trader Joe's.
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14. You've become accustomed to perpetual cough brought on by secondhand smoke.
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15. You anticipate that a bunch of bananas will cost about three subway rides.
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16. Finding a parking spot is lucky. Owning a parking spot is a status symbol.
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17. You have no patience for three or more people walking in a row on the street -- since they block everyone from being able to pass.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![seniors]()
18. You're so exhausted on the weekends that having guests feels like a chore.
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19. You conclude that there is never a good enough reason to venture into Times Square.
Image may be NSFW.
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20. You plan an escape from the city for every single holiday.
Image may be NSFW.
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21. You know that trying to catch a cab between the hours of 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. will leave you stranded and hopeless.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![seniors]()
22. You've come to the conclusion that Chipotle is the closest thing to good Mexican food in Manhattan.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![seniors]()
23. Pigeons are frequently the subject of your nightmares.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![seniors]()
24. Your share one common enemy with your fellow New Yorkers: Time Warner Cable.
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25. You not only understand but you actively hate everything about slushy corners.
Image may be NSFW.
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26. You've gone out for post-work drinks the past 15 consecutive evenings, but can't remember the last time you went out over the weekend.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![seniors]()
27. You've discovered that food tends to taste better in your sweatpants.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![seniors]()
28. When you're drunk you can't think of ANYTHING but pizza.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.![seniors]()
But as city that adopts hundreds of thousands of new residents each year, it's tough to pinpoint the exact moment someone becomes a real New Yorker. These signs are generally a good indication that you've shed your "newbie" badge and are officially a New York City initiate.
1. You are physically incapable of waiting on the curb for the walk sign to change.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2. You anticipate that Google Maps will always overestimate your walk time but underestimate driving time.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
3. You know a place to drink in every NYC neighborhood, regardless of your apartment location.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
4. When getting off the subway, you can accurately direct yourself to the exit closest to your final destination.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
5. You know to avoid empty subway cars at all costs, especially at rush hour. It's not a blessing. Trust us.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
6. Saying "excuse me" on the street doesn't mean you want to be excused. It has simply become a polite way of saying "get the hell out of my way."
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
7. You have perfected the eye roll for anyone who is incapable of successfully swiping their metro card on the first attempt at the turnstile.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
8. You've seen at least one cockroach, mouse and/or rat in the confines of your home, your subway station or your walk to work.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
9. The smell of the Halal/pretzel/nuts/hot dog stands that once seemed appetizing now make your stomach turn.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
10. Brunch has become both a therapy session and a religious experience.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
11. The only time you truly feel sympathy is when you see a big dog that you realize must live in a tiny apartment.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
12. When you're driving a car, you handle it like you're a drag-racing 16-year-old boy or an overly cautious 80-year-old grandmother.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
13. You've given up hope that there's ever a good time to go to Trader Joe's.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
14. You've become accustomed to perpetual cough brought on by secondhand smoke.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
15. You anticipate that a bunch of bananas will cost about three subway rides.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
16. Finding a parking spot is lucky. Owning a parking spot is a status symbol.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
17. You have no patience for three or more people walking in a row on the street -- since they block everyone from being able to pass.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
18. You're so exhausted on the weekends that having guests feels like a chore.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
19. You conclude that there is never a good enough reason to venture into Times Square.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
20. You plan an escape from the city for every single holiday.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
21. You know that trying to catch a cab between the hours of 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. will leave you stranded and hopeless.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
22. You've come to the conclusion that Chipotle is the closest thing to good Mexican food in Manhattan.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
23. Pigeons are frequently the subject of your nightmares.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
24. Your share one common enemy with your fellow New Yorkers: Time Warner Cable.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
25. You not only understand but you actively hate everything about slushy corners.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
26. You've gone out for post-work drinks the past 15 consecutive evenings, but can't remember the last time you went out over the weekend.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
27. You've discovered that food tends to taste better in your sweatpants.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
28. When you're drunk you can't think of ANYTHING but pizza.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
