Fast tips on how to act like a New Yorker even if you're new or just visiting

Almost every day when trying to get from here to there whether with a friend or on my own I get annoyed at someone who has just moved here or who is here on vacation and clearly doesn’t know “The-New-York-City-Rules-of-Acting-Like-a-New-Yorker-Even-if-You’re-New-or-Just-Visiting”.

SOCIAL RULES

• It is OKAY to stop on sidewalks! Obviously, there are many reasons why you may need to do so. BUT if you're going to stop on the sidewalk, find a piece of furniture like a trashcan or bus shelter or lamp or whatever and stand next to that so that you don't block anybody's way.

• The way you DRIVE is the way we WALK. Use this has a guideline.

• The Brooklyn Queens Expressway is the "BQE" and Houston Street is pronounced "house-ton" (not like the city in Texas).

• In general, do not give money to beggars on the subway. If you are really moved by them you can give them food/water, but it's best to volunteer at a shelter if you really want to help.

• If a stranger tries to hand you something or ask you a question on the street, do not stop unless you want to a) be drawn into a conversation that will ultimately end in a sales pitch or b) pay for someone's crappy mixtape.

• ESCALATORS - STAND ON THE RIGHT. WALK ON THE LEFT.

• Use your headphones on public transportation, don't talk too loud on your cell phone, and the correct time to FaceTime in public is when your wife is having her first baby and you're 9999 miles away. That's it.

• Referring to subway lines by color (eg, the blue line) isn’t the usual thing here. Refer to them by their letters (the ACE) or the avenue they run down (the eighth avenue line).

• Don't be racist. We have people from all over the world here living in relative harmony, and we'd rather keep it that way.

• Don't sit on subway steps. First, it's nasty. Second, you're blocking traffic.

• North is uptown, south is downtown. You refer to the corners as the southeast, southwest, northeast and northwest corners to let people know where something/you are.

• Don't stop at the turnstile to rummage for your MetroCard; figure that shit out before you get to the turnstile.

• You look like a fool yelling/whistling "TAXI" Just step off the curb and raise your hand. If the light is on, the cab is available, if the light if off it's occupied.

• Never look crazy people in the eye - Don't stare. You're inviting the crazy in if you do.

• A "Regular" coffee wise is 2 sugars and milk. “Light” means more milk. “Dark” means less milk.

• TIP YOUR BARTENDERS!!!!!!!!