I've just been to NYC alone...

[PleaseBeHappier]

Not that interesting but I'm bored and going through a huge personal situation so might as well keep myself occupied...

It didn't bother me (and I suffer with extreme misophonia) but it was very noticeable. The traffic is the most aggressive I've ever seen and you can't go 30 seconds without hearing sirens from the emergency services.

Also the steam coming from all the drains, what's that about?

I would never live there but I'd never live in any major city. I'm an ocean girl 😁

Oh, cross post! You can see I agree with you though.

Tell me about New Orleans. I've only been to Atlanta, Savannah and Charleston so far and Jackson. Didn't go to N.O. for some reason.

steam from drains reason [[https://freetoursbyfoot.com/steam-from-streets-in-new-york/#:~:text=Most%20of%20the%20time%2C%20the,afraid%2C%20it's%20not%20dirty%20smoke.

One other thing I will say is that every New Yorker I spoke to was very helpful. Despite having my phone I had to ask a lot of people for directions, they were all lovely to me. I was ignored once by three people who literally walked straight past me when I said "excuse me" but I presume they thought I was a beggar. In London I would say sorry I don't have anything but in NYC I quickly realised you have to just ignore them. It felt rude but even if you say no thank you they saw it as acknowledgement and hassle you further (that's only my own experience though).

There is a MASSIVE mental health crisis over there, a lot of people just banging their heads against their hands and rambling to themselves.

The only bad experience I personally had was on that JFK subway ride. Never, ever again. I wish I had just got a taxi as it ruined my first day. But all okay in the end.

That's what I found too. Most people I asked for help were very helpful whether it was the deli guy who made my sandwich, a policeman, a random person on the street. Far more helpful than in London.

Yeah definitely. If I asked they wouldn't just point they would stop, think and give me several options. It would turn into a five minute conversation each time. I really appreciated it, I've heard people say they're so hard and unfriendly. They're not at all, they're lovely people. Even when I was in a deli in Hell's Kitchen when I didn't understand the tipping after paying via card thing, the manager took time to explain it all to me. Couldn't think higher of them!

Also I LOVED how everybody called me "ma'am" 😍

Why do you think it's worth posting. Millions have travelled to NYC solo.

Ahh I’m off to NYC in October so really interested to hear what you got up to.
really looking forward to it.

Nah, don't think I will bother then, sounds shit.

I wanted to go in October as it's my favourite season and I bet it's great as they are really into Halloween aren't they?! But it would have been too expensive and I happen to love cold weather so it was very convenient for me to go in February when it's cheapest. Also I was too excited to wait another 8 months! Is there any particular thing you are wanting to do? If it's something I did I'm happy to share 😊

I’m going with friends that have been before, so going to take the lead from them.
Going to walk the Brooklyn Bridge though 😆
Tbh my local town stinks of weed anyway so I am well used to it !

They like to talk and chat to you and to tell you about their city, which they're proud of, New Yorkers on the whole like being New Yorkers, even if they're immigrants.

And if you ever hear New York attitude, well I can't do it as I'm a Brit but my friend can and it's bloody hilarious.

I guess OP is posting because maybe some of us wouldn't do it, or travel to another big city solo.

I made a royal show of myself on BB. I was strolling along all happy then looked through the floor and fuck me I nearly passed out. All the little kids completely unfazed and everyone taking selfies, there's me hyperventilating, walking like I've shat myself and holding onto the rails like I'm on a beam with no harness 🙈

They just love our English accents. They told me so often "Love your accent ma'am."

Did you see any rats?

I've got a deep, awkward voice. They thought I was German for some reason! I'm Midlands 🤣

Well I do . I applaud the o/p for going alone. I've been twice but I don't think I could cope alone my sense of direction is awful . I'm the trip organiser my partner is the navigator.

I didn't but bear in mind it was February. The man I sat next to on the plane was from Tennessee and he was telling me about NYC having no wheelie bins etc and that they dump all their trash right there on the streets to be collected three times per week. He said in the summer the stench is unavoidable, so I imagine there are a lot of rats at certain times of the year.

Oh and also this was my first ever long haul flight... and because of a fuck up on their part I was given a free upgrade to Business Class! Happy days! Hot towels and everything

What exactly happened on the Subway OP? Or was it just a menacing atmosphere?

Interesting. A colleague just told me he was mugged by a gang on his first day on NY.
I'm not keen to go. Nor even to America again actually