Completely Off Topic: Tourists- Page 2

[AKDPerformer]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 11:06pm

"It's like Disney World for them... they don't realize people actually have to live here."

"I repeat it like a mantra when I get off the subway in the morning at 42nd street. I know people are always saying to avoid Times Square... but I WORK in Times Square, I can't help it."

Ditto!

[Act0r721]

Posted: 11/26/07 at 11:32pm

ashbash1990- Yeah, I feel that way sometimes, but I realize it's kind of dumb when I take note of how many of those double decker tourists buses are roaming about the city.

This summer, I was walking home from work and this woman was opening up a huge map. Her friend was clearly embarrassed and giving the other woman a look. The woman kind of laughs and smiles and shouts, "Yes, I'm a tourist! We're tourists, everybody! It's okay!"

I don't mind good humored people like that coming to Chicago. =)

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 12:33am

People stop and stand in the middle of the sidewalk and point at a far-a-way building and say to whoever they are with "Look! Do you see that beautiful tall building with...." They are both oblivious to everything else around them and don't seem to know (or care) that they are in the way. Then the person says they don't see the building so the other person points, trying to stretch their arm as if this is going to help and tells the person "It's right THERE! Look harder!" How does one "look harder?"

As annoying as it can be, it's quite funny.

[LifeofTheParty2]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 12:34am

When I still worked on 43rd street, I had to take the subway right into Times Square at peak hours for tourists (right before all the shows opened...and right after they closed). I can't say that it didn't annoy me. I get that people are there to see the sights and take pictures and whatever, and I don't blame any individuals. But I would take what I consider a "visitor" over what I consider a "tourist" any day of the week.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 2:33am

OMG, I do the same thing. I live 2 blocks from TS and also work in the theater. I'm oblivious at this point, and HATE, HATE, HATE the Duane Reade drugstore on 42nd & 8th!

[Eris0303]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 5:59am

Like others have said I don't live in NYC but I'm there often enough that I no longer feel like a tourist. Some friends of mine are visiting New York from California and I spent the day with them and I experienced NYC through their eyes. I cannot remember the last time I had so much fun in the city. We were all over - Times Square, St Patrick's, Rockafeller, Ellen's Stardust, etc. We were the perfect example of NYC tourist/NYC savaay. They were able to see what they wanted to see and I was able to keep them moving and out of the way of the locals. With so many of the shows dark because of the strike they were able to take pictures in front of many of the theatre marques without being in anyone's ways. In fact, I think we amused the strikers in front of Grease while trying to recreate Max and Laura's poses on the poster. It was just a great day. I think, even if you live in the city you need to take a day and "be a tourist". It's a total blast. And they were pretty well-behaved for "tourists". Partly because they're cool people and partly because I was there to give them that little shove if they needed it.

One interesting story was that it took them about 5-10 minutes to take a picture in front of the Xanadu poster. I stood to the side and watched my friend Mike do the "finger" pose and, even though it was obvious they were attempting to take a picture, people just kept walking right by. It didn't come out the way they wanted to because they had to rush it in between people.

People have places to go and want to get there. Heck, I'm normally one of those people. But we, who are always stepping over the tourists, sometimes need to have a little give and take. Yeah, they're gawking over things we see all the time and, maybe, take for granted. Yeah, they're slow and in the way. But, does it take that much longer to stop or go around someone rather than ruining their picture? What happened in my little example, I believe, was simply part of human nature. One person did it so the next person did it, and so on. Rudeness, like kindness, is often contagious. I actually watched them look at Mike, who was posing, then look at Nicole who was trying to take the picture, and then just walk between them. If they'd stopped or gone around they could have been "out of the way" so much faster.

Like someone else said - they're a needed part of this city's revenue. As much as we hate them we need them at the same time. I'm forever going around them as I walk down the street. It's a hassle at times and I, on occasion, wish they'd all go away. But it's part of life in NYC so we accept it as best we can. Also, like someone else said; if you're a jerk you're going to be a jerk whether you're a local or a visitor.

Something I like to do when the tourists are starting to get on my nerves is that I remember there are places that are so much worse. I have never once seen someone cut off another person in a line in NYC and then pretend to not understand enough English to know that the line starts several feet away. That's a DAILY occurrence down in Disney World. If you're really looking for rude tourists - go there. And I've seen American people who know perfect English who do this so don't think I'm picking on foreigners lol.

Anyway, that's the end of my little story. I think I'll go back to bed now lol

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 6:32am

Rentboy, many people who hate the tourists in their own city make the effort to NOT behave like that themselves wherever they go...You can visit other places without acting like a "tourist."

I totally agree with this. A lot of people very much want to be 'travelers' and not 'tourists' when they visit other places, and they make an effort to be considerate and respectful of their environment. Not everyone's hopping on the big red tour bus and reading their map in the middle of the sidewalk.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 6:40am

Not everyone's hopping on the big red tour bus and reading their map in the middle of the sidewalk.

And not everyone who "hops on the big red tour bus" is an obnoxious tourist. Sometimes it's someone moving to the city and wanting to get a good overview of their new hometown.

[MaronaDavies]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 7:07am

*shrug* If you say so, but I can't see how seeing Rockefeller Center from a double-decker bus--or going through a residential neighborhood and googling at the residents like they are zoo animals--really helps you get a feel for a new city. Nor can I say that I've ever known anyone who's taken that route.

If you've gone to the trouble of traveling hundreds or thousands of miles to visit a city, I can't see why you'd want to spend your time cloistered away on a red bus with lots of other tourists, instead of trying to absorb it for yourself, but that's just me. Especially in a city like New York where midtown's on a grid, and it's easy to follow the numbers of the streets.
Updated On: 11/27/07 at 07:07 AM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 7:17am

Maybe because some people like to get a view of the bigger picture? Maybe because some people have limited time and that's one way to see the "high points"? And maybe, just maybe because some people use it as a friggin introduction to the city and then branch off from there to go more in depth?

But I give up. You're convinced that anyone on those busses is a sheep you has no mind, so why should I even bother.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 9:36am

If you think NYC is bad - South Florida is worse. We get the senile "snow birds". Some of them can barely see or move and yet get behind the wheel of a car , driving 45 miles an hour on I95 so they can get to the early bird dinner specials on time.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 9:53am

jordangirl said it best ! I can understand being annoyed by pedestrian tourists blocking traffic, but, Marona, what IS your problem with people who take the double decker buses ? In what way can they possibly annoy you ???? I've never taken one of those, but I think it's a good way to get a glimpse of the whole city, especially if a visitor has limited time ! And also, since we are ALL inevitably going to face it, there are many elderly people who visit and don't have the strength to walk as much as they'd like !

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 10:00am

"It's like Disney World for them... they don't realize people actually have to live here."

"I repeat it like a mantra when I get off the subway in the morning at 42nd street. I know people are always saying to avoid Times Square... but I WORK in Times Square, I can't help it."

Ditto!
Thirded. I'm surprised more people on this board don't say the same, since the Theater District is on the outskirts of Times Square.

That being said, I like tourists generally - they bring money into NYC, and see the shows and keep them running. I visit Disney World all the time but will still take pictures of random things, though I do walk faster there now that I live in NYC .

And Eris, I always stop or try to go around if someone is taking a picture. I never go right through it.

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 11:45am

don't get me wrong, I wasn't attempting to bash tourists or anything of the like I was just wondering if they are turned off by the large crowds even though they're a part of them.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 1:10pm

But, does it take that much longer to stop or go around someone rather than ruining their picture?

Does it take that much longer to wait until the passing crowd dies down before taking your picture? Maybe they think you're being rude for expecting dozens of people to go out of their way dodging about the camera just because you want to take the picture RIGHT NOW. It's a poster, it's not going anywhere. Come back the next morning if you want to get the perfect shot. It's better light and there are practically no pedestrians before noon in the theatre district.

I will stop and go around someone who is taking a picture *when possible*, but if you're suggesting people not disrupt your picture taking, you shouldn't be disrupting their path either. Kindness goes both ways.

Updated On: 11/27/07 at 01:10 PM

[broadwaytourist]

Posted: 11/27/07 at 5:34pm

I don't get to NYC very often - once a year - but when I go, I try very hard not to appear to be a tourist - hence I'm a tourist incognito - I mapquest all of my destinations (hotels to theatres) or find a preplanned train route to where I want to go (i.e. laptop, indispensable in hotel room) -study the information then pack it away in my purse (please note - not a fannypack) and walk out into the world of Manhattan as if I own it. Lots of fun to pretend to be someone else for a little while - right actors? I try diligently not to disturb the native flaura and fauna except for the bartenders with whom I strike up my conversations (only people I talk to in a three to four day visit sometimes), and I carefully and repectfully enjoy the city! I so want to be there right now! But will be back in May acting as a tour guide to my girlfriends.

I ask you residents to remember that visitors from rural America or small towns are really intimidated by the city and are very courageous for leaving their safe havens to see that the world is different somewhere else. You gotta hand it to some folks. Enjoy their money and give 'em some slack. They are really paying homage to your chosen way of life!

Can you tell I am envious of city dwellers? I'm having a mdilife crisis and have a burning desire to leave middle America and become a theatre junkie- working just enough to pay rent and buy tickets. Alas but thank god, I am the mother of an 11 eyar old who needs me more!

Take care and have a happy holiday! Wish I was there!