4 minute read
Union Square Stories
10:05 AM Jabar
“This is a melting pot of entertainment, laughter, love, life, and beauty. You have to be able to deal with the rollercoaster ride of New York. If you can handle the ups and downs here, then you can make it anywhere.”
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10:32 AM Shaun
“You either make it or you lose it here. It all depends on your will and ability to adapt and evolve. If you get comfortable you’ll get nowhere. Learn how to deal with the city, and New York is the only place where your dreams can come true.”
10:51 AM Larry
“I love New York because it’s exciting! Everything that I want in the world is here, including the cold weather and the dirt. New Yorkers are friendlier than their reputation, but we are busy, so sometimes it’s easy to mistake that for rudeness. But in general, I think we’re pretty nice to be around.”
11:12 AM Nancy
“I hated New York when I moved here. I guess I’m used to people being more bubbly, and everybody here is in their own world. You feel that most people are unapproachable.”
“I used to live outside of Philly and later Illinois. I like Philly, the love there. People are so wholesome. Illinois is really clean. Then you move here and at first it’s like ‘forget everything you know.’ But it changes. You find your niche and it works out.”
11: 27 AM Pop Boss
“If I could change one thing about New York, it would be to bring the Twin Towers back. I want it to be like 9/11 never happened. To be a New Yorker, you just need to be yourself. You don’t need nothin’. Give love and be kind. And just be you. I think it’s easy to make friends, as long as you show respect. Respect will get you a lot of places.”
11:41 AM Gizell
“No matter who you are or what you say, you can always be yourself here. Just listen to your music, dance by yourself. People might take pictures of you, but no one will bother you. You are free. And as long as you don’t bother anyone, you can do whatever you want. Live the life that you love, and love the life that you live.”
12:21 PM Kelly
“I think New Yorkers are actually pretty awesome. The only downfall is the intensity. We live in a culture where everything is about working hard, working out more, and it’s never enough. I always tell new arrivals that as long as you stay focused on exactly why you’re here, everything will be fine in this beautiful chaos.”
12:37 PM Mother Pigeon
“I used to watch these old movies that showed the glamour of the city, and then I came here and I was enthralled with being in that energy. I really enjoy the nostalgic feeling of it all here. On the flip side, we’re so disconnected from nature here. I love animals and I don’t like what the city is doing to the parks. These designer trees that don’t bear any fruits or seeds will ruin the animal life here.”
12:47 PM Austin
“What surprised me the most when I moved here were the smells. I was prepared for everything else, like the crowded subway, the expensive rent. But once you get out on the streets, the smell is kind of shocking. I also learned that it’s harder to make friends here than any other place I’ve lived. It’s crazy because we have eight million people on this tiny plot of land, and everyone is in their own little world all the time.”
