Dear America, and frankly the rest of the world,

We understand that living in New York or even just visiting, is a dream and something that may seem so far out of reach for some. We understand that when we tell you that we live in New York, that you’re going to get excited and want to know everything. However, there are a few things that we are tired of hearing...

Do you live in Times Square?

No. But we get it you see it on TV every year and it looks so amazing, but no we don't all live in times square. Actually, we usually try to avoid there because it is tourists favorite spot to go. We only go there to hit up Forever 21, or any other store. Or we'll go there if we decided to see a broadway show that's right off from there.

So do you go see a different show every night?

No. Honestly we very rarely go see a show, unless we’ve been dying to see it.

So you haven't seen Hamilton?

LOL. Have you seen those prices? No, of course, I haven’t seen Hamilton.

What’s it like taking the subway everywhere?

I’ve lived in New York for 21 years and have probably taken the subway two to three times. We walk almost everywhere in the city. Also, you do know New York is bigger than the city right? Some people really forget that. There's Brooklyn, the Bronx, Westchester, Queens, Upstate, and Long Island (The best part). So we do have cars, trains, and busses.

I don't get it, so is Long Island a city?

The number of times we've are asked this is endless. No, Long Island is not a city. It's an Island. You have to drive over a bridge or go through a tunnel to get to us. We are literally not physically connected to the rest of the country.

Oh, ok, so since you live on an island you all surf then right?

Ah, not so much. Yeah, there's some surfers but we all don't go get on board and ride the waves. We'll body surf, but for most of us there's no chance you'll see us riding a wave anytime soon.

Wait Long Island, that’s where the Amityville Horror House is, do you know the family? Have you been there?

One, how could we have met the family if they were all murdered. But yes, most of us have been there a few times. (Side note, my mom actually knew the family though and has been in the house, so that was pretty cool.)

So, you go to the Jersey Shore?

Absolutely not! We live on an island, an actual island. That means we are surrounded by water, and are never more than 15 - 20 mins away from a beach. For god's sake half of our towns names are about the beach. (Shout out to Bay Shore)

I’ve been to Chicago, are you sure your pizza is better?

Let me stop you right there. Before you question our pizza know this, New York, more specifically Long Island, has the BEST pizza in the world. Chicago is known for their deep dish, so it it a little different but ours is still better. Also, our pizza is not from Papa John’s or Dominos. That is not real pizza. And while we’re talking about what we’re best at, our bagels are pretty damn fire too.

What is up with your obsession with delis? What do you even get there?

Delis are god’s gift to mankind. You can get endless things at a deli, but typically we will go for a hero (not a hoagie or a sandwich), or a bacon egg and cheese with an Arizona. Also known as the breakfast of champions for Long Islanders.

I’ve heard New Yorkers are mean. Is that true?

We’re not mean purposely, it’s just custom. Everyone is rude in a sense but it doesn't phase us. We have crazy road rage and scream and flip someone off if they cut us off, but we all do that so we expect it and don’t take it to heart. In New York we have some pretty tough skin and bounce back from a lot.

So does it just snow there all the time?

Uh no. We do get snow, and we can get a lot of it. However, it doesn’t snow every day. We do experience 4 dramatically different seasons. But just because it’s winter doesn't mean it has to snow. Last Christmas it was literally 65 degrees out, no chance of a white Christmas then.

Can you say (enter a word with long vowel here, usually dog or coffee)? I wanna hear your accent.

First off, what accent? And secondly, we're not crazy we know we have an accent and we get you might not hear it all the time but asking us to say all these words or tell you a story gets really annoying, really fast.

Being from New York is an amazing thing. Every single New Yorker loves being from there. There is so much to do, explore, and create in any part of the state. We understand that New York is a place that people literally dream of going to or living in because it stands for so much. And if you’re not from there or haven’t been there you want to know everything and anything in a five-minute conversation. But if we’re being honest, it can get annoying. So the next time you’re speaking to a New Yorker, keep these questions in mind and DON’T ask them. I’m sure we’d be more than happy to talk to you, as long as we’re not running late to catch the train to work.

With love,