It's National Etiquette Week: Here Are 11 Ways To "Celebrate"
11 photos
<strong>Pedestrians, cyclists, motorists</strong>... let's all try to be courteous of each other, or at the very least, pay attention to traffic signals and the rules of the road.
<strong>Smokers</strong>: try to put some distance between yourself and non-smokers. This goes for you cigar-smoking old men in the park, too!
<p>Eyes on the road, or sidewalk, everyone. No one wants to encounter a <strong>texting zombie</strong> while they're out. They'll mow you right over on the sidewalk, or become totally unaware and start walking too slowly. And then there are friends who turn into texting zombies when you are trying to enjoy a nice dinner with them. Put the phones away, people!</p>
<strong>Line cutters</strong>: they're a part of our world, and there's not much that can be done about them. But just because you may spot someone else cutting the line (or using fake crutches to get the sympathy cut) doesn't mean you have to become part of the problem.
<strong>Sidewalk hoggers:</strong> When walking with your girlfriends to lunch, please refrain from taking up the entire sidewalk so no one can get around you. Related: <strong>slow walkers</strong> should stick to the <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/05/19/tourists_now_have_their_own_sidewal.php">tourist lane</a>.
<strong>Subway etiquette</strong>: we've heard a lot about it. Here are some things to avoid while riding the rails: <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/03/18/video_subway_spaghetti_spat_sparks.php">eating spaghetti</a>, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/04/20/guerilla_subway_etiquette_posters_d.php">clipping your nails</a>, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/01/29/jerk_tops_off_subway_masturbation_w.php">masturbating</a>, and being an overall <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/01/07/subway_douchery_brings_up_undergrou.php">space hog</a> or <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/01/12/train_pigs.php">train pig</a>. Also, while it's nice to stretch out, maybe make some space for <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/03/09/just_who_gives_up_seats_for_pregnan.php">a pregnant lady</a> if you see one standing.
<p>We're sure you guys are really in love and all, and it's <em>adorable</em>, but no one wants to see you make out (or <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/12/12/nsfw_couple_gets_overly_raunchy_on.php">have sex</a>, or even <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/10/07/get_a_room_extreme_bad_subway_behav.php">get to third</a>) on the subway. Let 2011 be the year we rid ourselves of <strong>subway PDA</strong>.</p>
<p>Pop quiz: you're safely in the elevator when you hear someone frantically running to catch itâwhat do you do? What you <em>should</em> do is press the "door open" button (hello <strong><a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/04/05/door_etiquette_for_dummies.php">elevator etiquette</a></strong>). But what you <em>probably</em> doâperhaps to avoid a pile-up and "local" ride up to your floor, or simply to avoid hearing someone joke about it being a "local"âis hit the "door close" button. Next time, try to relax and enjoy the ride while feeling good about not making the others wait for the next one. Bonus points if you hold a regular door for someone. <strong>Related:</strong> Why are you getting on the elevator on the second floor to go down ONE FLIGHT?! Unless you are elderly or disabled (or there's no stair exit on the ground floor) please stop wasting everyone's time, you lazy bastard.</p>
<p>You may want to take a leisurely stroll up the stairs, but don't force the stereotypical "always in a hurry" New Yorker behind you to go at your pace. Stay to the right, let people pass on the left. <strong>Stairway etiquette</strong>: it's a thing.</p>
<strong>Always <a href="http://gothamist.com/tags/tipping">tip</a></strong>! At least when you get good service or don't want to upset <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/12/28/bitching_is_customary_doorman_compl.php">your doorman</a>. Otherwise, you run the risk of being outed as a <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/04/29/are_you_named_on_this_website_outin.php">bad tipper</a>.
<p>Let's talk <strong>concert etiquette</strong>. To the people who take incessant photos at shows, try to enjoy the live experience a little bit. No one wants to see the band through your little digital screen. And while we're at it: please keep it down. As one Gothamist staffer passionately declared today: "concert talkers: they're the fucking worst."</p>