I knew I was a "New Yorker" when...

They say that once you live in the “city” for 5 years you can call yourself a “New Yorker.” Until you reach that 5 year mark don’t even try it because someone is sure to knock you off that high pedestal you so proudly put yourself on. It’s an honor to be called a “New Yorker,” the title cannot be thrown around. It’s like when you are rushing to be in that ever so popular sorority your freshman year at college… you want so badly to be apart of that clique and will do anything, but until they say the word you have no shot. You have to work at it to gain THE prestigious title.

Marking my 5 1/2 year anniversary in New York I got to thinking……when did I first know that I was a “New Yorker???”

So... based on my experience living in the city here are my thoughts!

You know you’re a New Yorker when…………………

-Every morning in the Starbucks line you have your $2.11 ready to go for a grande coffee, in & out in a matter of minutes! No chit chat…

-You think that “luxury” living would be my apartment in Queens only with a dishwasher.

-You’ve never been to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade or to see the ball drop on New Years Eve.

-You think it’s totally normal to go through a metal detector prior to entering a nightclub (Thanks Michelle, aww memories!).

-You think $6 for a beer is a bargain.

-You think it’s totally normal to push a cart down the street to go to the laundry-mat or grocery store (I’d love to do that in Indiana, what kind of reaction would I get?? “Are you homeless woman? Get off our streets!”).

-You never ever go to a chain restaurant – you are so above that ;)

-You watch all of the movies and tv shows based in New York and know that it’s just not possible (or believable) for young people to live in Manhattan with a 1000 sq ft apartment working in fashion for $15 an hour without a hefty trust fund. Seriously Michelle said it perfectly about these shows, “Can they be a little more realistic about living in NYC? No one their age really lives that way! Instead of downtown or uptown, they should say, bridge OR tunnel!”

-In the summer you know where every single Tasty Delight in the city is located.

-When the street vendor is trying to sell you a bottle of water for $2 you tell him that you’ll give him $1 and get away with it. Everything on the street is negotiable.

-The kids no longer say “I’m going to Ann’s house” they say “I have a PLAYDATE with Ann”

-You know what a bodega is.

-In the summer time you always have a pair of flip-flops in your purse so you can change out of those high heels. Comfort is key!

-You make more money than anyone back home in the Midwest but you’re still broke!

-You would never dare to make a dinner reservation earlier than 9pm, especially on weekends.

-You ignore a stranger when they ask you for directions and pretend you didn’t hear them and then go the other way fearing for your life.

-You know that Streets and Avenues mean two completely different things.

-You realize that eating a pretzel off the street is totally normal and it’s actually really good.

-You can put your makeup on perfectly on the subway even with the sudden stops.

-You know exactly how to fold your newspaper perfectly in the subway so you aren’t in anyone’s way.

-You never order from pizza hut or from other pizza chains – it’s just not an option.

-Refer to your tennis shoes as “Sneakers.”

-You never get mad when someone is running late to meet for a bite to eat, you just enjoy a glass of wine and relax.

-You can tell by looking at a Louis Vuitton bag if it’s real or not.

-You learned not to buy tickets to events on the street because it’s 90% always a scam and you’ve experienced it 1st hand.

-You don’t smile walking down the streets and never make eye contact with anyone.

-You don’t care if you push, shove or as Susie says “throw bows’” getting on/off the subway. You will do whatever it takes to get on and off that train!

-You check craigs list everyday – who knows who has great furniture they are giving away or what great apartments are now for rent!

-You realize there is no one else running against the democratic candidate and you don’t even question it no matter what.

-You are fine with living in a shoebox apartment and 500 sq feet is considered big.

-You have to go threw 3 doors with dead-bolts to get into your apartment (yep I do!).

-You notice someone getting sick on the train and instead of finding out if he/she is okay you are just so mad that they had to get sick on YOUR train because now you’ll be late for work!!

-If someone is standing too close to you on the subway or accidentally bumps into you – you always grab your purse and check your pockets!

-You are totally fine with finding a random person off of craigslist to be your roommate (yep done that a number of times in the old place, damn actors lol!).

-The guy from the deli gives you a straw with every beverage you buy even if it’s a BEER! (HAHA Thanks Kristan!)

-You refer to NYC as “The City.”

-You never do the touristy things on your own only if your friends are in town and even then you find excuses to bail.

-You go to the store and if you have too much to carry home than you have no problem jumping in a car with a complete stranger standing outside if you give him $10 (Kat and I have done this many times leaving Cosco, eek!).

-You never ever go to Midtown unless it’s for work.

-You think an hour commute to work isn’t that bad at all.

-You own the warmest winter coat imaginable and don’t care about style as long as it is warm and down to the ground.

-You have never been to the top of the empire state building.

-A birthday party in a park is totally normal, just bring a cooler with wine (however Michelle’s mom is so anti… lol laugh every time at that story!).

-You have at least 5 cab horror stories.

-You’d never buy a Broadway ticket for full price.

-You know all of the shortcuts through buildings to get to the next street.

-You have every restaurant that delivers to your apartment programmed in your phone.

-If you’re out to eat and paying cash for your meal you never leave it on the table you hand it to the waiter.

- You answer your emails within 5 minutes and think it’s rude for someone to take a day to write you back.

I saved the best reason for last… I think my 1st friend in New York, Michelle (who is a native New Yorker), said it perfectly when she said “Honestly, I knew you were a new yorker when we went to vegas and you a) pushed a girl who spilled her drink on you and b) stole some poor mid-westerner guys poker chips, cashed it in and ran!” OOPS!!! Well I guess after 5 years and 4 months of living in the city, I can now consider myself a New Yorker! Phew!

How did YOU know you were a New Yorker???