Hi guys!
My name is Owen Smith, and I live and work in New York City. I’m out in the big apple for one year as part of the US-NI Mentorship Program. I’m working for the Dom Pérignon brand team at Moët Hennessy USA. I thought it’d be fun to review some of the things I love and hate about this great city, so without further ado, let’s jump right into it:
1. Endless supply of things to do: LOVE
I mean, even researching the best things to do in New York is an overwhelming experience in itself. It has some of the best museums, bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the world. Take the High Line, for example. It’s an oasis of calm nestled right above a busy, swarming, frenetic avenue (that I work on). Then there’s Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Central Park that covers 843 acres! MoMa, the Nitehawk Cinema, Prospect Park, the American Museum of Natural History, Chelsea Market, Dough Doughnuts! I mean – just starting to contemplate everything that’s out there is a little dizzying so let’s move on.
2. The city smells: HATE
Much of New York smells really, REALLY bad. Recently I realised why this must be – it is to do with the garbage handling situation. Unlike other major cities, there are no dumpsters in NYC – simply because there would be nowhere to put them. So this means that people throw rubbish (garbage) directly on the footpath (sidewalk) in huge bags for collection. These bags sit outside all night, and especially during the summer this can make the whole street smell like a landfill site. NYC is also so stinky because, well, it has more garbage and smelly things in general per square mile than other major cities. I’m getting used to it. Slowly.
3. The night life: LOVE
NYC nightlife is incredible. Whether it’s fresh cocktails at Rooftop 93, a short-lived stint with the wannabes at Tao or live music at the Bowery Ballroom – there is something for everyone. New York is definitely a nightlife capital, much like Paris and Berlin which come alive at night. The East Village and Williamsburg have serious cocktails and cool craft beers, but the best bar is undisputedly The Dead Rabbit, nestled in FiDi. In a red brick landmark, Belfast bar royalty Jack McGarry and Sean Muldoon have created a wonderfully rough-and-ready 19th century tavern. LOVE.
4. How little New Yorkers care: HATE
Sarah Jessica Parker, Ethan Hawke and Matthew Broderick not only live in the city, they also go about their daily lives in public here. New Yorkers don’t have time to fawn over celebrities, or indeed anything or anyone, because they’re always in such a mad rush. Everyone in the city is working and moving at a breathless speed, so it’s move it or lose it! I find it amusing to stop randomly in the middle of the sidewalk occasionally just to incur the wrath of everyone around me. Umbrella etiquette, door etiquette, please and thank you – this just isn’t a thing in NY as it might be in the UK.
5. The food scene: LOVE
For those of you who follow my blog (whatowendid), you’ll know that I’m in food and drinks heaven right now. I’m trying lots of things I can’t pronounce, and am taking full advantage of discounts, apps and other food and drinks-related deals. I see people in my office eating the same thing for lunch every day – this baffles me. It’s a given that you have to explore all of New York’s neighbourhoods if you want to taste the full cross-section of what’s on offer. But don’t be fooled into thinking that the best pizza is in Little Italy. It’s not! (In my opinion it’s in Oregano Restaurant in Williamsburg).
6. No work-life balance: HATE
It seems that Americans have very little regard for downtime. Maybe it’s because I’m European and was very happy living and working in France and Spain at a slower pace. Maybe it’s because I don’t want to spend every second of my waking existence chained to my desk or my work phone. I have spoken to several of my American friends about this and some of them actually perceive Europeans as ‘lazy’ because we don’t answer work emails at weekends, and we trot off to the pub at 6pm once or twice a week after work. I personally think this real and true sense of work-life balance is absolutely glorious and it makes me work in a more efficient way because I don’t feel stressed or unhappy. Moving on.
7. All the dogs: LOVE
New York is a dog city; there’s no doubt about it. Poodles and Yorkies seem to be the dominant breeds here, and I’ve heard some ridiculous names so far (Bentley and Valentino – so West Village!!) I’ve also seen plenty of pugs, French bulldogs and Labradoodles. I mean – I’m not sure how I feel about large dogs living in apartments. I think it’s quite sad, but that’s surely because I grew up in Ireland where most dogs have lots and lots of space to do dog things. I suppose if they’re being walked at least twice a day, it’s not so sinful to keep them cooped up in apartments. That said, this city has done nothing but confirm that I need a dog imminently to fill a huge void in my life – namely a French bulldog named Hugo who has existed thus far solely in my imagination.
So to conclude, there are things to hate and things to love here, but there’s no denying that I’m currently living in one of the greatest cities in the entire world. My advice? Go there. Live it. Try it. You only get one shot!
Owen
The US-NI Mentorship Program is a planned one-year work placement for recent graduates from Northern Ireland to work with leading corporations in the United States of America. Visit our website for further details: US NI Mentorship Programme
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