Why are New Yorkers so rude?

If there were hidden cameras capturing my every move a year ago or so, you would have seen me telling a girlfriend something like this....

"I would never live in New York. The people seem so rude there."

How did I know this? Well, there was the ONE time I had visited in 2009, and everyone was super rude. Well, that's not entirely accurate. It was really only actor Anthony Michael Hall, who told my girlfriends and me that he was NOT willing to take a photo with us because he hadn't shaved that day. Yeah, whatever.

Hot Chocolate = Nice New Yorker

Other than that, I actually remember super friendly people, including a woman who stopped me on the street to ask who made my dress, because she thought it would be cute for her bridesmaids. And then there was the very sweet bum, "Hot Chocolate" who danced in a conga line with all of us. (See pic)

Yep, that was the extent of my experience with NYC.

But, it's just common knowledge, right? If you asked anyone across the country to describe New Yorkers in one word, I'm guessing most would say "Rude."

Can I tell you what's happened in the past 1/2 hour to totally squash that?

1. A man just held a door open for me while giving me a head nod AND a "good morning."
2. A woman at the bus stop told me it was "nice to meet me" after we bonded while just missing (and running after) the M66 crosstown bus. And when the next bus came, she insisted I get on the bus first. 

Can you believe this rudeness?

Let me just take a stab at what gives New Yorkers this reputation. We move and walk quickly. That's because we likely need to catch this traffic light...so we can catch that bus...to catch the next subway so we don't miss the ferry, and well, because of that, we move faster than anyone from say, oh I don't know, Akron, Ohio.

So, here's your mission. Stop badmouthing New Yorkers, or else "you's are gonna find yourselves sleeping with dem fishes."

Duggar Family Baby Annoucement

Scrolling through my Facebook news feed this morning, I had to laugh at this post...

Perhaps it's my cynicism after years of working in television news, or instead just my general smart aleck personality, but I then posted this response...

Later I updated my thoughts to this: "If the Today Show really knew me, they'd know I'm much more "excited" when Honey Boo Boo drinks her go-go juice or the Situation takes home a grenade."

Here's the thing: I like reality TV as much as the next guy. In fact, I'm downright giddy over tonight's finale of the Bachelor. But I try not to watch shows that either a) showcase the decline of the human race or b) reward people for questionable behavior. You know which ones I'm talking about: Toddlers and Tiaras, 16 and Pregnant, Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo, Jersey Shore...the list goes on and on. I guess I'm what you'd call a reality show elitist.

Now, granted...the Duggars seem like a very sweet and loving family who have saved a boatload on birth control. And kudos to them for being able to remember 19 children's names that all begin with "J." But I'm not sure we should give a reality TV show to people just because they've had 19 Kids. Isn't that, oh I don't know, about 15 too many? (Ouch, I know. I'm preparing for nasty comments as we speak.)

How about this idea to shake things up...why don't we create a new show for the Duggar kids where they are forced to dress in leopard prints and "poofs" before competing in a Jersey Shore-style beauty contest. There will be three parts to the competition: body shots, grinding and t-shirt time. The least grenade-looking kid wins!

I like it... 

New York City celebrity sighting

My plan to pay more attention in New York City for possible celebrity sightings is working!

In my last blog, I told you how I almost missed seeing Whoppi Goldberg at brunch and I did miss seeing comedian Rob Riggle sitting right next to me because I had become like so many other New Yorkers: I was no longer making eye contact and I was busy in my own world. I realized that although this may have been keeping me from getting mugged, it wasn't helping my celebrity stalking.

So I vowed to myself I would start looking at people, right in the face, no matter how uncomfortable or foreign it felt. It starting working immediately. The next day at the gym, I saw a white-haired man in the corner of my eye who looked just like Steve Martin. I whipped my head around and did a double take. Sadly, it wasn't Steve Martin, but it was a 70's-ish man who thought I was checking him out and gave me a sly smile. Whoops! Oh well, at least I made his day.

And then on Sunday, I went grocery shopping with my mom at a local market on the Upper West Side that has beautiful flowers and fresh fruit. As we were checking out, I noticed the gentleman next to us looked very familiar. I quickly realized it was Jacques from Real Housewives of New York City. You know, the one dating the Countess LuAnn de Lesseps.

My mom and I finished and went outside when I told her, "Wait, there's a celebrity in there and I want to get my picture with him!" Although my mom thought I should leave him alone since it was a weekend and he was running errands, I thought it doesn't hurt to ask. I instructed her to take off her gloves and get ready to take the pic if he agreed.

He came out of the store and I said, "Jacques?"

"Yes?" He looked at me with a quizzical look, as if trying to figure out where we had met.

I told him even though I didn't want to bother him, I'd love it if he took a photo with me. He agreed! He then rubbed his hand over his stubble and said, "I hope I look alright!" I affirmed he did.

Jacques then asked if the picture was okay before getting on his bicycle and riding away. Later I Googled him and realized his net worth is estimated at $10 million. Isn't that cute that a millionaire rides a bike in NYC?

So hey, it's not like I ran into Robert DeNiro, but for a reality TV junkie like me, it was pretty darn exciting. Next goal: to have a glass of Pinot Grigio with Ramona Singer.