CENTRAL PARK
Research question: How can you differentiate typical New Yorkers from tourists?
Central park is like a welcome oasis in this chaotic city. Right in the heart of Manhattan, it is no surprise that this park contains the perfect balance of both residents and tourists. The park is loaded with different features; it is simply impossible to be bored when you’re there. It includes many lakes, ice rinks, theatres, fountains, and many more facilities. I’ve been visiting New York the past three summers so I have been in Central Park multiple times; however, my past experiences are very different compared to my visit there this time. Before this project, I have been viewing the park in the perspective of a tourist. I spent my time focusing on the typical attractions of the park and not so much on the people there and their interactions. Since is it such a well known area of Manhattan, I decided to do a little experiment and see if I can tell the difference between a New Yorker and a tourist. You may think that this is an easy task at first differentiating the people who live here and the people who don’t by their attire, but stereotypes aside, not all tourists have fanny packs and a bucket hat! It requires a closer look at not only their physical appearance but also their interactions and how they respond to their surroundings. Based on the information I have gathered, attire still plays a huge role when spotting for tourists, however, that does not mean that all tourists in New York dress a certain way. I certainly have spotted a fair amount of people who carry backpacks and hold their camera or phone in their hand. I like to call these people the “typical tourists”. They are easy to spot and I have spotted at least two or more everywhere I went. The trickier tourists are the ones who attempt to look like they are from New York. I saw a good amount of girls who were decked out in decadent pieces and although some New Yorkers really do dress like that, I couldn’t help myself but to go up to them and ask them if they are from the city. I asked a total of three groups and all of them said they were from other places. Although they lack the fanny packs and maps, they stood out because of their big group, their ‘loud’ outfits, and constant picture taking. As soon as I started getting the hang of telling the tourists apart from the New Yorkers, it was much easier for me to spot the people who do live here. The people who live here are much more familiar with their surroundings. Some people walk through the park during their breaks at work. I can tell from their suits and “office” looks. These people tend to either be sitting near the fountains eating their lunch or walking around talking on their phone. They tend to walk around the park as if it were their own house. They seem to know their way around the park. I spotted more New Yorkers in the less busy areas such as the pond. I approached a couple of them and they all had the same answer, “it’s not as crowded”. After all, it is New York City so it’s understandable that they would want a less muffled area to enjoy themselves. Overall, I would say that despite the obvious looks that the people of the city give off, there is a deeper insight to this experiment. We all give off different impressions and it is the little things we do whether it be the way we act or our behavior that sets us apart from everybody else. In conclusion, I am happy to say that my experiment and research was successful and accurate.
