Letter from New York
Friday November 7th 1997
Hellooooo: I Don't THINK So!
It's hard to know what is New-York-speak, and what has become general parlance, after you've been here any length of time. But I think that, even if these expressions are said elsewhere, that they are said more, in New York."Helloooooo" is the imperative equivalent of saying, "the lights are on but nobody's home", directly to the abstracted person. Or if someone doesn't quite 'get' a comment or appears to misunderstand, they'll be rudely brought home with a sharp, prolonged, questioning, "helloooooo!".
The "I don't think so", is even more widely spread. If you disagree (and New Yorkers disagree all the time), it's just what you say. If you see something you don't approve of, it's "I don't think so!"
On my way home from work one evening, walking with a colleague (co-worker), after Labor Day, we turned the corner just as a young woman with a yellow sweater (jumper) and white boots was getting out of a cab. You have to remember that New Yorkers "don't do colour", and that white is not worn by New Yorkers from Labor Day in autumn to Memorial Day in spring. As the white-boooted, yellow-sweatered woman closed the door of the cab, and straightened up just feet from us, my companion said very loudly, and with utter confidence, "Yellow sweater and white boots; I don't think so?"
What a place!!!
Many Degrees of Separation
A few weeks ago Windsor Jewelers went into brief "refined" period. No longer appealing to people's greed, they went strictly up-market aimed their pitch at the straight-out filthy rich. The ads moved from exploiting the avaricious streak in the well-healed, to a fairly benign style. An example of the short-lived "refined" style is shown here. My livingroom, like that of most New Yorkers who even have one, is tiny. I'm not likely to ever hear the famous Parvaroti, and neither are most people living here. The Manhattan of the classy ads, of the shoppers at Barnies, of the movies, is not that of your average New Yorker.
New York as portrayed in the ads, sitcoms and movies, is not the real New York. And it's not just that most New Yorkers do not have luxury apartments, and do not troop off regularly to movie premieres and Broadway shows. It is not that they do not collect great works of art, and eat at five-star restaurants. The actual daily life is not as portrayed by TV shows and movies. How many New Yorkers, would do as the sitcom Jerry Seinfeld does - leave his door unlocked on a regular basis?
Falling Fowl of the Law?
It's hard to believe, but nevertheless true, that a woman who merely complained to her landlord about pigeons on her windowsill, was arrested and thrown into jail for several hours, charged with killing the birds.Pigeons are a real nuisance here in Manhattan. I don't understand why some people encourage them to overpopulate the city, by throwing birdseed around. But they do. The birds are not pretty little things. They are dirty and a hazard at times, when they fly at you when you are walking down the street.
According to a New York Times report, the charges against Renee Soloman, a 61 year old Columbia University professor were later dropped, for lack of evidence Nevertheless, it seems truly amazing that such a thing could happen. When she complained to her landlord, it was he who organized for pest control measures, to divert, not kill the birds. Doctor Soloman's window sill was reportedly coated with "Roost No More" a gel which annoys birds into perching elsewhere. Unfortunately some less healthy birds are said to have stuck to the gel and died.
Although the arrest occurred in 1992, the case has come to light now, because the professor now has her day in court. A civil suit she filed five years ago has finally come to trial in Manhattan's State Supreme Court.
Your Questions and Comments
Anne from Boston wrote: I am actually an American considering whether to move to NYC or stay in Boston. I have family in NJ and hail from there, but I hear from many folks that city-life is overrated. It is expensive, dirty, competitive and stressful, unlike here, which is a slightly slower pace and not as expensive -- definitely cleaner and more open. What would be the major selling point for going there????Well yes, it is dirty, stressful, competitive... and some people like that and call it the buzz of New York. If you don't like city life I'd say stay away! I think that New York epitomizes all that's good and all that's bad about cities.
On the plus side, the city has a certain charm, and plenty of restaurants, galleries, theatres. A wonderful park. At night from the vantage point of a bridge or plane, Manhattan looks like a jewel. There's a magic about the place. But at the same time, daily life can wear you down, people are not gentle, it's a dog-eat-dog life, and living here is costly.
Phillip, a Melbournian living in Hong Kong emailed:
Really like your page - very interesting and love the layout. Without wanting to be at all critical, it would look a lot better if something ran down the length of the left frame at all times. Looks great as you access the page, but as you scroll down, you're left with a narrow green frame that doesn't seem to do anything. Almost a waste of space. Must be something over there in the big apple that could keep it occupied!? Maybe a few links would do the trick, or even some pictures of New York sights?
I used to have graphics, linking to past stories, running down the side margin, but the page was taking too long to load. I like having something there, so I'm trying a couple of ideas. Thanks, Phillip. And if any other readers have ideas for the side strip, please let me know.
Brenda, from Rome, New York (state) wrote : You can tell Jack of Alphington that American children do play marbles and that he can find them in most stores that sell toys. As for NYC, yes it does make you lose your marbles, being a native New Yorker, from Rome, New York( nowhere near NYC) I have to say that the few times I have gone to new York city I have wanted to lose my marbles !! It is a city I always tried to avoid when I lived in New York State.
Thanks, Brenda, I'll pass that on to Jack.
Rebecca, an Australian living in NYC emailed: I wondered whether you could tell me where I could buy the Australian edition of Cleo magazine. I have tried a number of international newsagencies without success - a small number carry the Singapore edition but I have not found the Australian edition anywhere. Surely there must be somewhere in this city where I can find it?
I don't think you'll be able to get an Australian Cleo here, Rebecca. I don't think there'd be a lot of demand for it, and you best bet would be to get someone to send it from home. There doesn't seem to be an on-line version of it either. If any readers can help, please email me and I'll pass your message on to Rebecca.
Brigid from Brisbane emailed: I discovered your site while reading the NY Times on my way home from six weeks traveling in the US, including 8 days in Manhattan. I am rapt in Manhattan. It felt like the centre of the world - every culture and nationality was represented. The only place in the English-speaking world not dominated by US/McDonalds culture. And fantastic shopping. I now would like to explore the possibilities of getting work there, to live there for a year or so. Can anyone advise me on employment opportunities, where to look, how hard is it to get a green card etc. I am an Australian qualified accountant (CPA) with 14 years experience in the public sector. I am married with 3 school-age kids, living in Brisbane. My partner would also like to find work if possible (quals and significant experience in marketing). Am I dreaming about getting (reasonably paid) work? Is it as great to live there as it seemed during my 8 days there? I would really appreciate any advice anyone could provide.... Although I too would miss AFL, salads with more than lettuce in them, world and Australian news, the ABC (TV and radio) etc. etc.
If you would would like to answer Brigid, contact her by email at fbscampb@kraken.itc.gu.edu.au.
Suggestions for this column are welcome.
Till next week,
Kate