First time in New York

For the millions of tourists who walk its streets every year, New York is a city of legendary reputation, but for New Yorkers, it is simply their city. Like any place to live, it can be frustrating, exhilarating and in the most unexpected moments, magical. There are, in any metropolis, the unspoken rules to follow when we walk in the city. Whether it's your first, second or twentieth visit to New York, here are some rules of etiquette to remember when you are in the Big Apple!

1- Differentiate between the Express Subway Trains and Local Subway Trains

The subway system in the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) in New York is probably the most efficient way to travel in four of the five borough of New York (Staten Island is served by a specific line), but also the most complicated . The lines are indicated either by letters, not numbers, and as in many metro systems, they are identified by a color code. However, unlike other subways, multiple lines share the same color. For example, the B and D trains are both indicated by an orange circle although they do not move in the same direction. These lines correspond to a local train (Local Subway Train) and express train (Subway Express Train). It may be that the express trains and local trains moving in the same direction and serve the same stops but make no mistake: they are not identical. Local lines stop at every station on a journey especially while express routes serving only a few stations on the same route; for example, the local train B stops at every station on the west side of Manhattan, while the D train (express) does not serve stations between 59th and 125th Street. And to further complicate matters further, this system is not the same round the clock, 7 days 7 Changes route are set up at work, on weekends and during peak hours. 

But one thing is certain: the subway is open at all hours of day and night, it may be just that you do not take the train expected. For updated information in a timely manner, please visit the official website of the MTA.

2- Tips

Generally, in the United States, tipping is left to those working in the service industry: the maids, bellhops, waiters, etc. in gratitude. Tips are a big part of staff remuneration, so be grateful when you pay the bill or leave your hotel. The amount varies, but it is customary to give the server 15% of the gross amount for a standard service; you can give more or less depending on the quality of the service, but never below 10%. Expect $ 1 per bag for bellhops (or $ 2 if you have a suitcase); when you leave your hotel, leave a few dollars a night spent - cash - for the maid. The tips are important: do not forget to leave, and remember never to judge too harshly poor service - it may be that your server has been a hard day's work.

3- Floor numbering

The skyscrapers are many in New York, so there it is likely that you use a lift at least once a day, at work, in your building, or both. The slight difference between the numbering of floors in America and Europe can be very bothersome or cause great confusion when you take the elevator. Remember that many buildings in New York have no "ground floor" - they go straight to the numbers. Thus, American buildings begin on the first floor while for Europeans, this floor is the ground floor. If you are European and want to get to the fifth floor, remember that it is on the sixth floor in America. Once you have incorporated the practice of mathematics behind the name of the floors, the use of the elevator should be a breeze.

That's about it for now, more informations soon. 

Stay tuned for more.