The next night as we headed back to our hotel when we/I decided that we/I needed something sweet to eat, so seeing Dunkn' Donuts we went in and I asked for 2 plain cake donuts. The clerk said no, you need 4 and gave us 4 for the price of 2. It was nearing closing time so again we got something that would have been thrown out, for free. And they were delicious.
Everywhere we went I unashamedly asked strangers for directions, guess I could have looked them up on my phone, but how much fun is that. Everyone was helpful and the security guard who said Mac was right about the direction we should be going laughingly warned him not to be too smug about it.
The day before we left I couldn't connect to the WiFi in our room and so I asked the desk clerk for help (Jasmine). She not only confirmed our airline reservations she printed our boarding passes. Turns out she wasn't a native New Yorker, but was from Stuttgart, Germany, a city we had lived in and that her father was from Izmir, Turkey, also a city we'd lived in. Had a great conversation with her.
So don't believe the bad things you hear about New Yorkers, they were great to us.
Now Christmas Markets, we went to 2, a smaller one down at Union Square near the wonderful Strand Book Store and a larger one at Bryant Park (if you watch Project Runway I know you've heard of Bryant Park, I kept looking for Tim ). We had breakfast there one morning and went back at night to see it all lit up. Lots of heavenly smells and some very different gift ideas.
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| We had waffles and coffee for breakfast, can you believe it was warm enough to eat outside? |
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| The Badger thought the waffles were mighty tasty |
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| There was a large skating rink at Bryant Park |
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| And a Christmas tree that they lit up on Friday night |
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| Loads of beautiful street decorations |
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| A Merry-Go-Round at Bryant Park, loved the frog, watched a little girl ride it and she was just in heaven. |
Can you tell we had a wonderful time? Can't wait to go back again.
We went to NY soon after 9/11 and everyone was so friendly and pleased that we were there.Loved it and would love to go back one day.
ReplyDeleteI’ve been to NY several times. Both occasions everyone was very helpful and friendly. Such a wonderful city. B x
ReplyDeleteMeeting kind and helpful people during a vacation can make all the difference in the world to your enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteI guess Christmas is a good time to visit New York. Sounds like you had a great visit.
ReplyDeleteHow kind everyone was, I bet it made your trip.
ReplyDeleteDon't you notice, folks are pretty kind the world around. I've never read a bad report from you.
ReplyDeleteExcept my x everyone was nice to me when we went to NY ! I am happy you had such a great time.
ReplyDeleteI have found Best Buy service always nice. They seem to hire great people.
cheers, parsnip
You make me want to visit New York...I thought I'd never ever say that. Every time you go there and share what a good time you had, it makes me want to pack and go.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, no charge...what wonderful words!
ReplyDeleteRichard and I also found that New Yorkers were kind and welcoming. Made me proud of my fellow Americans in front of my English husband!
Oh, and those gorgeous angels at Rockefeller Square...I think I remember reading that they were designed by a Brit! :-)
I love stories like this! You two are braver than I am. I cannot imagine trying to find my way around New York City. I guess I'm just a small-town girl.
ReplyDeleteIts refreshing to read that people are friendly, no matter what the season or what the city. Hope you get to return to New York sooner than later!
ReplyDeletebetty
What a delightful time. It so nice that you encountered so many friendly and helpful people. I think they must have seen something in you and Max to know what good folks you are.
ReplyDeleteThere's so many people quick to point out negatives of people and places, it's so refreshing to hear how friendly the people were in New York, I can tell that it made a difference to your trip. I love a good Christmas market.
ReplyDeleteThat is so lovely.
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxx
It's good to know that there are still some kind and thoughtful people out there, it sounds as if you had a wonderful time:)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rosie - yes there are still kind people in the world. Thanks for the memory-jogging photographs.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that the courtesy that you received was mainly due to your own politeness because as is said over here 'What you put out is what you get back'
ReplyDeleteI think Heron is correct above. So many people are rude when they speak to shop assistants and then complain when they are rude in return.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to meet kind and helpful people - unlike the 4 people taking up the whole pavement (sidewalk)the other day - as I walked past I said loudly "don't move, I'll walk on the road ...... after a stunned silence, one of them shouted "we would have moved if you asked"!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed hearing about your trip to NY, and glad to hear about the nice people there. It's easy to be nice to nice people, like you and Mac.
ReplyDeleteI have never been there but have always wanted to visit...at least once...especially at Christmas time. It certainly goes to show you that nice folks can be found anywhere, if we only keep our eyes open!
ReplyDeleteThere are some wonderful friendly and helpful people around ...
ReplyDeleteLovely seeing all your photographs.
All the best Jan
I think if you give off friendly vibes people will usually be just as friendly back. That's probably why you encountered so many nice ones. Glad the badger enjoyed his NYC waffles!
ReplyDeleteYour great post reminds me of helping each other anytime anywhere.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you met some marvelous people! It is wonderful when people are kind and helpful:)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure all these examples of kindness made your trip enjoyable. I think people usually respond well when we approach them in a friendly and interested way ourselves. You saw some varied sights and it was good you could eat outside on occasions. I like the street decorations and the skating rink.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a great experience in New York. My ex-sister-in-law and her three kids went there recently, too, to experience NYC at Christmastime. Your probably crossed their paths.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how you can run into strangers and have an immediate connection with them? Like the woman from Stuttgart, with the father from Izmir. They have a saying in Germany about this, "The world is a tiny village." Your experience just confirmed this.