Exactly a year ago, I left home to spend a month and a half of my summer in New York. That being my fifth time in the city (yes I am obsessed), I started to notice little details past the things that a first timer might not notice. I stopped focusing on the glamour of it all and started thinking about the habits that the locals get into. I caught myself doing the same thing once I got adjusted to LSU after having been there for a year! Some people might think that the two aren't comparable... maybe because of the difference of location or maybe because the only exciting thing about LSU is the home games. But I have a few counter arguments. Hence, 8 ways to compare LSU to NYC.
1. Sporting events are a big deal
Everyone knows that a not many things are better than LSU home game... well, in New York, many of the locals like to spend their weekends going to a Yankees game to enjoy one of their famous hot dogs! Very similar to how we Tigers like to sip on jungle juice from our favorite frat tailgate. Much like the LSU v Alabama rivalry, being a Yankee or Red Sox fan is a big debate throughout the state of NY!
2. Rooms with a view
Even if your hotel room window view is blocked by another building, the view is still pretty awesome! Views from the LSU dorms range from being able to see the Golden Band from Tigerland hard at work or having a room in Miller or on sorority row that overlooks the LSU lakes.
3. Overpriced food
Last summer, I'd say the average price I spent on a meal would be about $35 just because everything is more expensive. At LSU, they sure like to spike up the prices of a Chick-Fil-A sandwich inside Tiger Stadium!
4. Always something to do
Everyone knows NY as "the city that never sleeps", so I think that speaks for itself. Even at 1:00 AM I guarantee you can still find a street performer in the middle of Times Square trying to get some extra pocket cash. With the endless amount of clubs, events, and activities going on outside of the Union, LSU is similar in that way.
5. Always crowded
I know I'm not the only one who always has trouble finding a place to post up in Club Mid... It's always packed. Especially during exam season. New York is always crowded because it's a smallish city with a huge population, and the tourism is in constant demand. But you'll find the city packed with even more people during Christmas time. Because who doesn't want to see the winter window display at Bergdorfs or the tree lit up at Rockefeller Center?!
6. Everyone avoids eye contact
Don't even deny that you look down when you see someone from your middle school from across the Quad. It's not that you don't want to be friendly, it's only because you don't feel like having that awkward "Oh my God, it's so good to see you!!" conversation. People in NY aren't the friendliest, but it's not because they're mean people. They usually have somewhere to be and are not custom to waving at whoever they cross in the streets like we southerners do.
7. Everyone walks around with headphones in
(This kind of goes hand in hand with #6). We wear headphones around campus for multiple reasons, such as fast music makes you walk faster or you're really just trying to avoid small talk. New Yorkers do the same. Half the time, they're listening to a business proposal or scouting out new artists. We're all just trying to kill some time and get through our days.
8. Central park vs LSU lakes
A crowd favorite in NY is definitely Central Park, whether it's used to exercise or have a nice picnic. The LSU lakes are exactly that for it's locals! And though you could probably fit 7 LSU lakes inside of Central Park, both are a long and tedious task to finish running and (maybe this is just me...) are easy to get lost in.
You can always decipher the tourists from the natives. LSU students quickly figure out the bus system. If you're touring the school, you look around rather than look at where their going. New Yorkers pretty much only use the subway and know better than to let a cab driver hall around four extra blocks to get a few more bucks out of you. And if you're like me, you'll attempt to use the bus system on the first day of class and end up at Winn Dixie begging your mom to bring you to campus ten minutes before your Astronomy class starts. I also took a cab to go four blocks away to catch a showing of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. So I think it's safe to say you could pick me out of a group of locals... Start looking at details, people. It's intriguing how similar LSU and NYC actually are to each other.
