Bunchop

What is a New Yorker?

After our recent article on Parisians, we’re now studying a different specimen – New Yorkers. Since here at BunchOP we aren’t New Yorkers born and raised, we’ll be basing our observations on a few undeniable facts:

To be a New Yorker, you must:

1. Have seen Woody Allen (not in a film – in real life!)

2. Have stolen a cab from someone who needed it more than you

3. Have cried in the subway without caring what other people think

4. Have killed a cockroach with your bare hands

(Source for 1-4: How I Met Your Mother)

5. Know how to eat a slice of pizza! That means folding the slice along its length and eating it with one hand. If you use a fork, you may as well give up now – you’re not fooling anyone. (Check out this clip of the Jon Stewart show – hilarious! )

6. Throw in a few “fuck”s here and there when you talk

7. Need a shrink (Source for 6-7: "The Telegraph according to which New York is the least welcoming city and has the highest concentration of neurotics per ft2 in the States)

8. Forget the magic words (New York is the rudest city in the States according to "Travel and Leisure": ).

9. Know what a B&T (Bridge and Tunnel) is, and not be one

10. Pay crazy rent without even noticing any more (source: my rent checks!)

Answer yes or no to these points and you’ll figure out just how much of a New Yorker you really are!

Christel and Mark (for the translation)

The Vélib is the concept everybody’s going for!

Launched in Paris in the summer of 2007 by Minister of Transport Denis Baupin, the concept makes it’s way to New York City.

For the modest sum of 29€ (or 43$) a year plus 1€ a day, you can take a bike from one place and leave it at another in Paris.

The idea, of course, is great. Only a little utopian maybe?

Between July 2007 and November 2009, 18000 bikes were damaged and 8000 stolen. These acts of vandalism have cost 8.5 million Euros (Figaro, in French).

In 2010, « the level of damage seems to have diminished, although City Hall does not have precise data concerning this matter” (Figaro, in French). Well, that says it all!

Anyway, as far as the users are concerned, it’s great. Granted, Vélibs are much heavier than your usual bike, but what a great feeling to be cruising around on a bike in Paris in spring or summer! The good news is that Vélibs are coming to New York (NYTimes).

I’m not quite sure we’ll be able to dodge through traffic, taxis and buses but imagine the rides through the park… The program is scheduled for April 2012. The first fleet will consist of 10000 bikes. They will be running a test this summer…we just can’t wait!

Until then, enjoy the deal!