VOICE OVER: Ashley Bowman
Written by George Pacheco
Is the Big Apple really rotten to the core?Welcome WatchMojo's Top 5 Myths, and in today's installment, we'll be talking about the Top 5 Myths About New York City!
In today's installment we're counting down the 5 myths about New York that convinced Alicia keys to write that annoying song.
Special thanks to our users Ashjbow and coolfun11 for submitting the idea on our interactive suggestion tool: WatchMojo.comsuggest/
Top 5 Biggest Myths about NYC
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Written by George Pacheco
Is the Big Apple really rotten to the core?
Welcome WatchMojo's Top 5 Myths, and in today's installment, we'll be talking about the Top 5 Myths About New York City!
In today’s installment we’re counting down the 5 myths about New York that convinced Alicia keys to write that annoying song.
The first myth on our list has followed the city of New York for years, namely that the island of Manhattan was purchased by Dutch settlers from Native Americans for only $24 worth of beads and trinkets. The truth behind this one is a combination of inflation and what actually constituted those twenty-four dollars. For starters, the Dutch letter of sale dictated that Manhattan was purchased "for the value of 60 guilders," which rounds out to almost a thousand dollars today. What's more is that the "value" in question also consisted of goods such as ammunition, food, weapons and clothing, all of which would been worth their weight in gold during this time. One thing which was definitely NOT mentioned in this letter? Beads.
Sometimes, it's great to win that bronze medal. New York City came up big in the friendliness department in 2016 when they dropped down to third place in Travel and Leisure.com's annual lists of rudest cities. Miami and Phoenix took the first and second spots, while New Yorkers enjoyed bucking the rudeness stereotype, which has always hounded the city. This reputation might have been born largely from 1980s comedians who used this as a go-to insult, but many tourists to the city have reportedly been pleasantly surprised with how many New Yorkers will happily give directions or otherwise respond positively to a friendly smile.
You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. Er...well, you CAN, but you can't actually drink. Newcomers to New York City nightlife may expect every bar in town to be open at all hours of the night, serving up drinks to the area's fanciest, wealthiest and most inebriated until the sun comes up. The truth is that there IS a last call in New York City for bars to stop serving alcohol to their customers, and it's 4 a.m. The actual closing time of a bar is dependent upon county laws, with only cities like New Orleans and Las Vegas featuring 24 hour, 7 day a week service. Hey, everyone has to sleep sometime.
You've seen those snappy montages in the movies; feel good sequences, which show how one person's small town dreams come true almost immediately after moving to New York City. The truth is that NYC is insanely busy, fast-paced, and poses plenty of challenges for even the most dedicated professional. In fact, New York is a consistent top ten contender in Forbes Magazine's lists of the most competitive job markets in the country. The rates of success naturally vary upon the industry, with percentages of failure sometimes rising as high as eighty percent in highly competitive markets such as the restaurant business. Indeed, it takes passion, drive and more than a little bit of luck to succeed in New York, but you know how the old saying goes: "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."
How the times have changed. New York City in the 1970s and 80s may have been known for the crime and danger represented by its once-gritty Times Square district, but the truth is that NYC is actually on track these days to being one of the safest big cities in the United States. Although crime rates might be comparatively high in larger, populous cities, a 2013 study showcased that homicides actually were down to their lowest rate since the 1950s, averaging out to less than one a day. Today, Times Square has been gentrified into a hub of tourist attractions and foot traffic, while locals and tourists alike can breathe a little bit easier knowing that NYC is a safer place to be.
So how many of these myths did you believe? For more Empire State top tens and Lady Liberty top fives, please subscribe to WatchMojo.com!
Top 5 Myths About New York City
Is the Big Apple really rotten to the core?
Welcome WatchMojo's Top 5 Myths, and in today's installment, we'll be talking about the Top 5 Myths About New York City!
In today’s installment we’re counting down the 5 myths about New York that convinced Alicia keys to write that annoying song.
#5: Manhattan was bought for $24
The first myth on our list has followed the city of New York for years, namely that the island of Manhattan was purchased by Dutch settlers from Native Americans for only $24 worth of beads and trinkets. The truth behind this one is a combination of inflation and what actually constituted those twenty-four dollars. For starters, the Dutch letter of sale dictated that Manhattan was purchased "for the value of 60 guilders," which rounds out to almost a thousand dollars today. What's more is that the "value" in question also consisted of goods such as ammunition, food, weapons and clothing, all of which would been worth their weight in gold during this time. One thing which was definitely NOT mentioned in this letter? Beads.
#4: NYC is the RUDEST city
Sometimes, it's great to win that bronze medal. New York City came up big in the friendliness department in 2016 when they dropped down to third place in Travel and Leisure.com's annual lists of rudest cities. Miami and Phoenix took the first and second spots, while New Yorkers enjoyed bucking the rudeness stereotype, which has always hounded the city. This reputation might have been born largely from 1980s comedians who used this as a go-to insult, but many tourists to the city have reportedly been pleasantly surprised with how many New Yorkers will happily give directions or otherwise respond positively to a friendly smile.
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#3: It's the city that never sleeps
You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. Er...well, you CAN, but you can't actually drink. Newcomers to New York City nightlife may expect every bar in town to be open at all hours of the night, serving up drinks to the area's fanciest, wealthiest and most inebriated until the sun comes up. The truth is that there IS a last call in New York City for bars to stop serving alcohol to their customers, and it's 4 a.m. The actual closing time of a bar is dependent upon county laws, with only cities like New Orleans and Las Vegas featuring 24 hour, 7 day a week service. Hey, everyone has to sleep sometime.
#2: Moving to NYC equals guaranteed success
You've seen those snappy montages in the movies; feel good sequences, which show how one person's small town dreams come true almost immediately after moving to New York City. The truth is that NYC is insanely busy, fast-paced, and poses plenty of challenges for even the most dedicated professional. In fact, New York is a consistent top ten contender in Forbes Magazine's lists of the most competitive job markets in the country. The rates of success naturally vary upon the industry, with percentages of failure sometimes rising as high as eighty percent in highly competitive markets such as the restaurant business. Indeed, it takes passion, drive and more than a little bit of luck to succeed in New York, but you know how the old saying goes: "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere."
#1: New York is dangerous
How the times have changed. New York City in the 1970s and 80s may have been known for the crime and danger represented by its once-gritty Times Square district, but the truth is that NYC is actually on track these days to being one of the safest big cities in the United States. Although crime rates might be comparatively high in larger, populous cities, a 2013 study showcased that homicides actually were down to their lowest rate since the 1950s, averaging out to less than one a day. Today, Times Square has been gentrified into a hub of tourist attractions and foot traffic, while locals and tourists alike can breathe a little bit easier knowing that NYC is a safer place to be.
So how many of these myths did you believe? For more Empire State top tens and Lady Liberty top fives, please subscribe to WatchMojo.com!
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