You’ve booked the flights, made dinner reservations, and maybe even learned how to swipe a MetroCard. But there’s one thing guidebooks won’t tell you: How not to get cursed out just for walking wrong.
That’s the takeaway from a viral Reddit thread dissected by NYC-based moving experts at Lifestyle Moving & Storage. Shared on r/AskNYC, the thread features over 1,000 brutally honest comments from real New Yorkers — a must-read crash course in the city’s unspoken rules.
Rule #1: NYC Runs on Rhythm. Don’t Break It.
“Move to the side if you’re going to stop. We’re not psychic – we don’t know you just spotted a Starbucks.”
– Reddit user, r/AskNYC“Standing at the top of subway stairs checking Google Maps? That’s how you start a sidewalk riot.”
– Another (clearly late-for-work) local
Ivan Martinović, owner of Lifestyle Moving & Storage and long-time New Yorker, says the biggest thing tourists don’t understand is pace.
“The second you walk outside in New York, you’re part of the system. There’s no pulling over without consequences. We don’t hate tourists – but we expect them to keep up.”
🚫 Don’t Do This → ✅ Do This Instead
| What Not to Do | Do This Instead |
|---|---|
| Walk 3–4 across on a narrow sidewalk | Stick to 2 max – single file if it’s crowded |
| Block the subway doors | Let riders off before stepping on |
| Blast music on speaker | Use headphones like literally everyone else |
| Ride scooters/e-bikes on pavements | Use the bike lane, not pedestrian zones |
| Stop at the top of escalators or stairs | Move aside before checking your phone |
| Let your dog off-leash in busy areas | Keep them close and clean up after them |
| Wear a bulky backpack on packed trains | Hold it low or take it off |
| Stand confused in front of turnstiles | Figure it out before blocking everyone |
| Loud FaceTime or TikTok scrolling | Use earbuds — save the show for home |
| Litter (or worse) on the street | Trash cans are everywhere – use them |
It’s Not Rudeness — It’s Survival
New Yorkers aren’t being rude — they’re just trying to make it to work without dodging scooters, leashes, or lost tourists.
“People think we’re impatient – we’re not. We’re just constantly trying not to die on the way to work.”
– Reddit commenter, after someone blocked a crosswalk filming TikToks
Bottom Line?
Learn the flow. Respect the pace. Move like a local.
That’s the real key to unlocking the city that never stops.
