There are countless songs about New York that tell various stories about the city, but the main point is that it’s an iconic, captivating city that pulls people from around the world. It’s a cultural powerhouse, not only of the United States but of the whole world. We wouldn’t be surprised if you’re dreaming of travelling there (that’s why you’re here, right?). So here are some tips on travelling to New York via JFK car service and making sure you make the best out of the city.
Tipping is a must
This might be one of the most talked-about cultural shocks between the United States and other countries, but we must say it: tipping really is a must. The majority of waiters in the United States live on customers’ tips. So it’s no wonder that a lot of people say: if you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to eat out! It’s simply how the pay is arranged.
The general rule for tipping is 15-20% of the bill. Feel free to tip extra for excellent service, of course!
How to have the best foodie experience
You’re all the way in New York, yet you choose to eat at chain restaurants? If you genuinely like it, maybe you have fond memories of such restaurants, sure. But being the cultural capital and melting pot that it is, New York has so much more to offer!
Check up-to-date restaurant guides for New York and discover everything from authentic Chinese restaurants well-loved by the local Chinese community, French fine dining, pizza spots, to delis and bodegas, and everything in between. A lot of foodie spots in New York are packed with stories about the culture of their owners, and it would be a shame to miss them!
Germaphobes, stay centred
The city is indeed dirty. Sorry, germaphobes and everyone who simply likes general hygiene.
Avoid touching handrails and other public objects touched by a lot of hands. Have a hand sanitizer handy, always wash your hands before eating. Honestly, just keep up decent hygiene. But don’t be too surprised if some streets smell… trashy.
Rude New Yorkers?
Yet another stereotype about the city. It depends on how you see it. It’s a packed city, the pace of living here is genuinely fast, and people are seemingly always rushing to get somewhere. If you’re one of them, you’d probably look just as high-strung. If you’ve lived in any packed city, you’d understand.
Except for the people who are genuinely not well-mannered, New Yorkers don’t mean to be rude. They’re not just overt about it. If you ask some decent-looking person for help with directions who doesn’t look like they’re in a huge rush, for example, they’ll likely help you, not tell you off.
Just understand that this is a big city with its set of common-sense public ethics. Be mindful of them and you’ll be fine.
New York sidewalk ethics
The things we are about to say are common sense, but sometimes we can’t help it when we’re admiring this stunning city, so we’ll mention them to remind you.
Not only are the streets of New York packed with cars, but the sidewalks are also basically their own traffic. If you walk the sidewalks of New York, walk on the right side and keep a quick pace. If you’re going slow, walk all the way on the right side. Don’t take up the whole sidewalk with your friends, people got places to be! Also, don’t just stop in the middle of the sidewalk; if you must, get close to the wall or get to the side.
Put short: don’t block the way.
Avoid tourist traps
If you’re a tourist, no matter how you try to act like a local, sometimes you’re bound to look out of place and tourist traps might spot you and try to pull you in. So it’s useful to know what to avoid.
Only buy tickets on the official channels. If the prices for a show offered by some person offering them in the street sound too good to be true, they probably are.
While not a tourist trap per se, prices in touristy spots tend to be higher than they should be. Food in Times Square, for example, tends to be underwhelming for what they cost.
Bonus tip: visa application
This is not a New York tip per se, but if you’re looking for New York travel tips, you’d probably appreciate other handy tips on how to prepare for your trip. Visa application, we’d say, is the biggest hurdle in that process.
Citizens of most countries need a visa to enter the United States. To visit as a tourist, you will need a visitor visa, so make sure to learn the most common questions related to this visa. A surprising hurdle in the visa application process is the photo submission, so make sure to be mindful about that as well.
