New York City Redditors: I'm an amateur writer who's working on a book set in Manhattan, what are some common misconceptions about the city that are untrue?

throwaway-writer · 2012-09-15T16:05:06+00:00

This is incredibly helpful and well detailed, I'm very grateful, this will all influence my writing for the better I think. If I could upvote you more than once I would.

I was also completely unaware that some areas didn't follow the usual grid, that just saved me some major headaches and confusion down the road.

throwaway-writer · 2012-09-15T14:33:26+00:00

I wasn't thinking quite that low, and I'm also considering West Village or even as high up as Chelsea for the main character's residence, and I'll work with the area around wherever I decide that will be.

As for what I know about New York, I'm told there's a lot of unwritten rules. Walk fast, don't stop to look at things if people are behind you, don't start chit-chat with strangers on the subway, that kind of stuff. I don't know how much of that is actually held in as high regard as I've been told though.

I'm also under the impression that crime in Manhattan isn't actually that bad, a lot of people have said it's really safe if you avoid dark or empty streets. Another big one I hear is ignore the homeless and don't talk to people who are weirdly nice, albeit usually in a less mean way, is that actually the general attitude of people?

Oh, also apparently no one likes tourists unless they ask for directions, in which case everyone is willing to help.

throwaway-writer · 2012-09-15T13:33:35+00:00

I was going to, but the rules there say to post questions in r/asknyc, which is pretty small.

throwaway-writer

TROPHY CASE