If you’ve ever set foot in New York City, you know the energy here isn’t just fast-paced — it’s a full-blown choreography. Locals weave in and out of crosswalks, dodge food carts like Olympic athletes, and slip through subway doors with split-second precision.
But according to a viral Reddit thread with more than 1,000 comments, there’s one thing New Yorkers spot immediately about tourists: they don’t know how to walk.
Yep. Forget “I ❤️ NY” T-shirts, selfie sticks, or Times Square pit stops. What truly outs you as a tourist is sidewalk sins.
The Sidewalk Survival Guide
An NYC-based company, Lifestyle Moving & Storage, combed through the comments of r/AskNYC — where locals unleashed their very real frustrations — and it basically turned into the unofficial etiquette guide for surviving the streets of Manhattan.
The golden rule? Keep the flow.
As one Redditor bluntly put it:
“Move to the side if you’re going to stop. We’re not psychic – we don’t know you just spotted a Starbucks.”
Another added:
“Standing at the top of subway stairs checking Google Maps? That’s how you start a sidewalk riot.”
Ivan Martinović, a New Yorker and owner of Lifestyle Moving & Storage, explained it best:
“The second you walk out your door in New York, you’re part of the system. There’s no pulling over without consequences. We don’t hate tourists – but we do expect them to keep up.”
Translation? This city runs on rhythm. Break it, and you’ll earn yourself some serious side-eye.
10 Habits That Will Get You Dirty Looks (or Worse)
Don’t do this: Walk three-across on a narrow sidewalk
Do this instead: Keep it to two max — single file if it’s crowded
Don’t: Block the subway doors
Do: Let riders off before you step on
Don’t: Blast music on speaker
Do: Grab headphones (seriously, everyone else has them)
Don’t: Ride scooters or e-bikes on the sidewalk
Do: Use the bike lane like a grown-up
Don’t: Stop at the top of escalators or subway stairs
Do: Step aside before checking your phone
Don’t: Let your dog wander off-leash in busy areas
Do: Keep them close and clean up after them
Don’t: Wear your backpack like a turtle shell on a packed train
Do: Hold it low or take it off
Don’t: Freeze in front of turnstiles
Do: Figure it out before blocking 30 impatient commuters
Don’t: Loud FaceTime or TikTok scrolling in public
Do: Save the content binge for home (or use earbuds)
Don’t: Litter — or worse
Do: Use the trash cans that are literally everywhere
It’s Not About Rudeness — It’s About Survival
New Yorkers often get labeled as brash or impatient, but here’s the thing: most of us are just trying to get somewhere without tripping over your selfie stick.
As one commenter said:
“People think we’re impatient – we’re not. We’re just constantly trying not to die on the way to work.”
So if you’re visiting NYC, remember: learn the flow, respect the pace, and walk like a local. You’ll blend right in — and maybe even avoid being cursed out before your first bagel.
Stacyknows tip? When in doubt: move to the side.
👉 Full Reddit thread here: What Gets New Yorkers Angry?
