pic: the pink team

[shark_byte]

Originally Posted by CrazyBear

This will happen since we have already planned to do most of our traveling by foot and on subway. I heard the competition is going to be somewhere in Harlem. Can you please give us some survival tips so we can be a little street smart in New York? I do not want to look like a tourist, even though we Floridians make fun of you guys whenever you forget to wear sunscreen, and complain about the humidity when visiting Disney World.

Heck, you need look no further than you're own team for that.
1: Don't stare at skyscrapers for too long. That's a dead giveaway that your a tourist (plus its hard on the kneck).
2: Ignore anyone on a street corner speaking into a microphone with a speaker. Chances are they're trying to sell you some thing or ideology that you don't need.
3: Haggle with street vendors. If you see something for sale on a street side set up, never pay the asking price, but rather see how low you can get the vendor to lower it (this can be lots of fun, even if you don't actually buy anything).
Hope these tips help. Maybe someone who's actually from New York can be more specific, I'm just a Pink Team Floridian who has been to NYC more times than most southeners.

P.S. To all you NYC regional teams, New York is a great city, I love it every time I attend, and I look forward to seeing the local robotics talent.

[Rich Wong]

Originally Posted by CrazyBear

I heard the competition is going to be somewhere in Harlem. Can you please give us some survival tips so we can be a little street smart in New York?

New York City Top Survival Tips:

1. Don’t stare at the guy with the pink hair; They don’t like it (especially when it’s their real hair).

2. Don’t say “hi” to strangers (no matter how good looking they are) it’s just not cool.

3. Don”t say “cool”; it’s just not cool

4. Don’t complaint about the dirt and the crowd! (Remember you get to leave, we have to stay)

5. Don’t said “sorry, excuse me, pardon me”; it’s not in New Yorker’s vocabulary and it's not cool.

6. Manhattan people do not know there are 4 other boroughs within New York City (please don’t try to convince them; they can go into shock or get violent)

7. When taking a cab from downtown to uptown, answer NO when the cabbie ask if you want to take the tunnels or bridges.

8. Don’t buy a genuine Rolex watch for $30 from anyone on the subway. I know a better deal down on Canal St. for $20.

9. Houston Street is pronounced House-Ton (true New Yorker) not Houuuuuston

10. You can order pizza by the “slice” or pie.

11. Ray’s Famous Pizza is not the same owner as Ray’s Original Pizza, or Ray’s Original Famous Pizza, or Ray’s Best Original Pizza or Ray’s Famous Original Pizza, or Ray’s….

12. Eating a “dirty water dog” not what you think, it’s a hot dog from a street vendor.

13. Don’t buy the Brooklyn Bridge from anyone. I own it already!

14. Time Square is not square. (And be careful of the naked singing cowboy)

15. Museums are not free.

16. New York City souvenirs are cheapest downtown around Chinatown.

17. Don’t answer back when someone say “Hey… How-U-Doing” (they don’t really care)

18. Don’t make fun of the Soup Nazi; he really won’t serve you any soap.

#1 TIP: NEW YORKERS DO NOT PUT KETCHUP AND MUSTARD TOGETHER ON THEIR HAMBURGER! (An obvious sign of a tourist)

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by Rich Wong

New York City Top Survival Tips:
10. You can order pizza by the “slice” or pie.

17. Don’t answer back when someone say “Hey… How-U-Doing” (they don’t really care)

10.
That whole "pie" thing was confusing last year with a dorm floor that was about 50% New Yorkers. It is not that you don't know it is called a "pizza pie", but when some walks up to you and says:

"Wanna split a pie?"

A Non-New Yorker's typical thought process is:
"Wow, this guy REALLY likes pie, he wants to eat half of a pie"
"I like apple or pumpkin pie"
"I never eat more than 2 pieces in a sitting, even on Thanksgiving"
Then after looking really dumb by thinking way too long about a simple question, you realize he probably meant a pizza and say:
"Sure. You order it"

It should also be noted that New Yorkers usually fold their pizza in half while eating it. This provides structural support to the very thin crust. This was "odd" and "revolutionary" to some people who had never seen someone eat pizza like that. I prefer thin crust pizza so I have always ate it like that. Guess it would be tough with a true Chicago deep dish.

17.
Great now I've got that Budweiser commercial about the Cowboy Hat Guy in a New York bar stuck in my head. Every time someone said, "How you doing?", Cowboy hat guy said "I'm doing fine. Just flew in today. Mighty Big Airport you got here" and proceeded to ramble on. That will be in my head all night.

[MisterX]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

17.
Great now I've got that Budweiser commercial about the Cowboy Hat Guy in a New York bar stuck in my head. Every time someone said, "How you doing?", Cowboy hat guy said "I'm doing fine. Just flew in today. Mighty Big Airport you got here" and proceeded to ramble on. That will be in my head all night.

Trying being the designated driver that way you can drop him off first.

OH, also don't pretend to have a NEw York accent they dont like that

[Jay H 237]

Do you realize that even dressed completely in pink and walking down the streets of New York you probably won't attract attention.

[Mike Schroeder]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

You think that's bad. In 2001, Space Coast's pit at Philly was right next to ours, none other than MOE, the Green Team. That was a crazy mess of Pink and Green paint, hair, shirts, etc.. in one small corner of the pits.
It was like someone turned the world's contrast dial all the way up!

Brian, you just described my worst nightmare

[BoyWithCape195]

Moe and Pink have the most stand out colors i have seen in FIRST.If both of your teams were to mingle, we would have a giant night light! Everyone going to NYC, Bring your sunglasses! haha. Perfect color pick you two!

Are there any other ridiculously bright flourescent colors in first?

[Gabe Salas Jr.]

Originally Posted by Rich Wong

3. Don”t say “cool”; it’s just not cool

So what do you say instead of "cool"? Would you say "kowabunga" like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; they are from New York. And does being rude with everybody really help you fit in? Even if you are talking to an attractive young lady? And for some odd reason nobody knows how to read a map, what is the proper way to ask someone for directions? Thanks... erm... (well I cannot say "thanks" nor can I say, "Forget about it" since that is a New York type of saying, so what do I say in this circumstance) I am going to remember all of this?

Also, isn't the Soup Nazi from one episode of Seinfeld?

[Gabe Salas Jr.]

Originally Posted by BoyWithCape195

Moe and Pink have the most stand out colors i have seen in FIRST.If both of your teams were to mingle, we would have a giant night light! Everyone going to NYC, Bring your sunglasses! haha. Perfect color pick you two!

Are there any other ridiculously bright flourescent colors in first?

Oh, I forgot to mention that Team #79 (The Navigators, also known as KRUNCH) wear extremely bright turquoise blue. It is difficult to describe KRUNCH blue, you have to see it!

[Rich Wong]

Originally Posted by CrazyBear

So what do you say instead of "cool"? Would you say "kowabunga" like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; they are from New York. And does being rude with everybody really help you fit in? Even if you are talking to an attractive young lady? And for some odd reason nobody knows how to read a map, what is the proper way to ask someone for directions? Thanks... erm... (well I cannot say "thanks" nor can I say, "Forget about it" since that is a New York type of saying, so what do I say in this circumstance) I am going to remember all of this?

Also, isn't the Soup Nazi from one episode of Seinfeld?

Alright when you guys arrive Wed. the first thing we are going to have to do is give you guys are crash course in NYC slang.

(yes, Soup Nazi from Seinfeld episode is actually based on a real place and a real soup chef.)

[mtaman02]

Yeah Rich has tried at least 3/4 of these so these are definately the New Yorks Golden Rules.

Tip# 19 - before getting into a cab in NYC observe their driving habits. Some are worse then others.

Tip# 20 - Do not "Hail" a cab while standing on the bus stop of any route. Chances are you'll get an angry bus driver b4 you get a cab driver.

Tip# 21 - Do not "Hail" a cab while standing in the middle of the street - this can be dangerous since NYC is filled with a bunch of NJ Drivers who got their licenses from the cracker jack company !

Tip# 22 - When entering a subway station. Do not proceed to ask the clerk Which side is Going Uptown and Which is going Downtown (e.g 86st. and Lex. There are signs posted Uptown and the Bronx ---- Keyword UP, Downtown in some stations is considered Manhattan and Brooklyn Others are straight forward and say Downtown. If you would like to know what station your at. You can look in the following places. On the Subway Booths Left Top Hand Corner it will state for example 86St - LEX AVE. Look on the support pillars in the station 87% of them will have 86st. written on them. Look on the walls for they have the station name etched into them. If you think the signs may be lieing to you then proceed to ask the clerk of your wearabouts. Believe me though we do a pretty $@#$@#$@#$@# good job in making at least directions and current location self explanatory for everything else well we won't get into that right now hehe.....

Tip #23 - When traveling East side to West side by subway. Going East is going to the Downtown / Brooklyn part of the track West Side is Manhattan / Uptown part of the track.

Tip #24 - No matter what anyone says, Trains going West side to East side have a North and South bound track lol..... aren't you glad there was geography lessons to clear up with which was North , South, East and West.

Serious Tip #25A - If you should drop anything on the track DO NOT attempt to retrieve it. No matter what station you're at there will always be at least 1 Cop on duty their and a Full Time Subway Clerk. Inform Both and they will contact a safety crew to retrieve the object.

Tip #25B - If the subway clerk tells you the saftey group will be there in about an hour. Your better off going to have a long lunch b/c us MTA guys move slow and will take our time to respond to that particular call.

Serious Tip #26 - Do not by a $2 card from the wanna be subway clerks at the station. What they do is illegal and by giving them money to get you access to the system would be only adding more trouble then what its worth. If they argue with you b/c you rather not by the "swipe" from them proceed to notify the clerk on duty and they will inform the NYPD.

Originally Posted by Rich Wong

New York City Top Survival Tips:

1. Don’t stare at the guy with the pink hair; They don’t like it (especially when it’s their real hair).

2. Don’t say “hi” to strangers (no matter how good looking they are) it’s just not cool.

3. Don”t say “cool”; it’s just not cool

4. Don’t complaint about the dirt and the crowd! (Remember you get to leave, we have to stay)

5. Don’t said “sorry, excuse me, pardon me”; it’s not in New Yorker’s vocabulary and it's not cool.

6. Manhattan people do not know there are 4 other boroughs within New York City (please don’t try to convince them; they can go into shock or get violent)

7. When taking a cab from downtown to uptown, answer NO when the cabbie ask if you want to take the tunnels or bridges.

8. Don’t buy a genuine Rolex watch for $30 from anyone on the subway. I know a better deal down on Canal St. for $20.

9. Houston Street is pronounced House-Ton (true New Yorker) not Houuuuuston

10. You can order pizza by the “slice” or pie.

11. Ray’s Famous Pizza is not the same owner as Ray’s Original Pizza, or Ray’s Original Famous Pizza, or Ray’s Best Original Pizza or Ray’s Famous Original Pizza, or Ray’s….

12. Eating a “dirty water dog” not what you think, it’s a hot dog from a street vendor.

13. Don’t buy the Brooklyn Bridge from anyone. I own it already!

14. Time Square is not square. (And be careful of the naked singing cowboy)

15. Museums are not free.

16. New York City souvenirs are cheapest downtown around Chinatown.

17. Don’t answer back when someone say “Hey… How-U-Doing” (they don’t really care)

18. Don’t make fun of the Soup Nazi; he really won’t serve you any soap.

#1 TIP: NEW YORKERS DO NOT PUT KETCHUP AND MUSTARD TOGETHER ON THEIR HAMBURGER! (An obvious sign of a tourist)

[Joe Ross]

In 2002, we (4 of us) walked through Times Square with Orange hair and orange tiedie shirts (Team 340). We found that people tended to get out of our way. (But that didn't stop the drunk from threatening to kill us on the Subway).

[mtaman02]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

In 2002, we (4 of us) walked through Times Square with Orange hair and orange tiedie shirts (Team 340). We found that people tended to get out of our way. (But that didn't stop the drunk from threatening to kill us on the Subway).

yeah! I've had at least 3 or 4 threats made to me by a homless drunk dude since i started working for the MTA. You learn to ignore them and move to another subway car :-)

Tip #27 - If you see a homeless person on the train sleeping or not. Please do not poke him to see if he is alive. Even though he may not look like he's alive He can potentially surprise you. Some homeless people are friendly others are too (not to be mean or anything) Brain Dead to even know of their own actions. Just move to another car. If you take the subway early in the morning say around 12A - 5A thats when you will find most of them on the train cars.

Tip #28 - If you plan on driving to NYC I suggest not leaving your car unlocked on a city street. Cars these days have been known to start themselves and dissappear. lol esp. In the Bronx / Brooklyn j/k

Tip #29 - I like the fact of the Real Men wear Pink slogan but please do your selves a big favor please do not go to what is known as the "village" - Located on the lower east side / East Midtown Manhattan I believe. You may end up getting more then what you bargained for. Pink shirts are cool since that has recently been added to Teen Men / Women attire up here. The pink hair may be a bit much though. Just a wear a I LUV NY MORE THEN EVER hat and you should be fine.

Tip #30 - Bring at least 1 set of Long clothing. Its been snowing officially since Tuesday stopped for a lil bit Tuesday nite and started in again Wednesday into today from what I can see. I do not know the weather for up here for next week so to be on the safe side just bring something warm but comfortable in case it gets suddenly cold.

NYC is a great place to live.....as long as you don't mess with us NY'ers will leave your unique hair designs and clothing attire alone. :-). Anyway I hope you guys enjoy your stay with us, Within the last 2 posts between me and Rich Wong we have covered all the basics on how to not look like a tourist, and that blending in maybe needed. I hope we didn't scare you away *goes to check FIRST Regional roster for NYC attendees =-)*

If you need anything else just fugedhaboutit

[mrs. p]

wow! the pink team certainly appreciates all of your helpful tips and suggestions. as i read back over the list it sounds like we are entering a foreign country with all the do's and don'ts!! we'll be printing lists for the students to check before doing anything. (kidding again) i'm not sure the man who rented us our rooms is even going to be ready for the onslaught of 46 pink people.

we can't wait to get there. i'm sure you all have had enough snow but there are lots of kids on the team who have never seen snow(unless they went to seattle last year or toronto the year before) and would love for you to keep it coming (at least until we get there)

6 more days...

[Rich Wong]

Originally Posted by mtaman02

Yeah Rich has tried at least 3/4 of these so these are definately the New Yorks Golden Rules.

Don't listen to Mike, he is from Staten Island, (that is not really New York City... but don't tell him that).

Brooklyn, NY is where its at!
Want to visit the Dodges?
Bronx? What-a-Bronx?
Queens? zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz