On one side of the argument, there’s the contention that New Yorkers are not friendly. On the other side is the reality that they are to friendly so shut up already.

I hear enough of the reality (in person, in print and in conversation) that I think the contention is actually a straw man standing in for the fact that New York, as a city of enormous physical size, can be intimidating for the newcomer. Also, New Yorkers can be aggressive, even with their friendliness. But I don’t see why you’d have a problem with that. Or why you would even bring it up. What’s the matter with you? Don’t you like friendly?

Last week was a case in point.

1. Situation: Me at the Bernard Jacobs Theater half an hour before the performance starts. No tickets available, even though there were a ton that morning online. I stand in line with five or six other people (including someone I thought was Jon Tenney but just realized was actually Carlos Gomez) hoping someone cancels their seats.

   Woman with weird hair: Is this the line for tickets?
   Me: Yup.
   Woman: Are you alone?
   Me: Yup.
   Woman hands me a ticket for the first row of the mezzanine and walks away.
   

2. Situation: Me at the Public Theater less than an hour before the performance starts.

   Me: Do you have any rush seats left?
   Dude behind the ticket window: How many do you need?
   Me: One.
   Dude: We have one. Last one. $20.
   Me: Sweet.

   Strictly speaking, this is math + luck, not New York being excellent, but you know, positive experience and all.
   

3. Situation: I show up at Studio 54 at 9:45 in the morning, stand in line for 15 minutes and snag a seat for the newly opened, high profile, Tony-nominated Waiting for Godot for $21.65.

   Again, math + luck. I feel a pattern coming on.

4. Situation: Me at the Barrymore Theater half an hour before Exit the King starts.

   Me: Could I get a seat somewhere in the middle range?
   Ticket dude: Well…[points to $116 seats in the mezzanine]…I can give you one of these for $74.50.
   Me: Yeah you can!

   (Looking at all this, I’m wondering about the whole showing up late = karma thing. That can’t be a healthy behavior re-enforcement, can it?)

5. Situation: Me at JFK mid-panic attack. (I don’t like to fly or do anything associated with it, like be in an airport.)

   Me: Excuse me, where is the water fountain?
   Cleaning girl: Right there.
   Me: Thanks.
   Cleaning girl: You don’t want to drink that though. [Goes into her supply closet, pulls out a bottle of water which sells around the corner for about $97 and hands it to me.]
   Me: Wha…? Thanks!

New York is a wonderful town. Especially when you’re running late.