纽约生存指南 New York City Survival Guide
New York City can be intimidating -- it"s chaotic, loud, messy, and crowded. Sometimes the city seems like a never-ending carnival of the bizarre conducted to the shrieking soundtrack of sirens, horns, and a hundred different languages. Read on to discover how to survive -- and even thrive -- in the chaos of the world"s greatest city.There"s no bad time to visit the city, but there are better times. Summer (July, August and early September) tends to be very hot, with soul-sucking humidity. Winter (late December, January and February) is cold, damp, and occasionally snowy. By and large, the city is at its best in October/November and April/May. The weather is terrific, locals are perky after the long summer or winter, and the city isn"t as it is during the summer and around the holiday season.
New York is the style capital of North America, so if you want to fit in with the locals, you can never go wrong with basic black. Despite what you may have seen in Sex in the City reruns, poofy skirts, pastels and screaming prints (Hawaiian shirts are the exception) and other festive ensembles are rarely worn by locals.
The easiest way to get into the city from NYC"s three airports -- JFK, LaGuardia and Newark -- is to take a taxi. Taxi stands are right outside the baggage claim areas. Join the line, tell the attendant where you"re going when he asks, and he"ll direct you to your cab. Expect to pay a flat fee of $45 from Manhattan from JFK; about $16-$26 plus a $3 bridge toll from La Guardia; and $30-$38 plus a $10 dollar bridge toll from Newark. For information on shuttle buses, trains, and other transportation options, check the websites for LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark airports.
Manhattan"s official licensed cabs are painted bright yellow. When the numbers on the sign on the top of the cab are lit, it"s available. When no lights are lit, the cab is occupied. To hail a cab, stand in the street and stick out your arm. It"s best to hail a cab on a street where traffic is moving in the direction you want to go, rather than making the cab turn around. Occasionally a cab which is off duty (the words "Off" and "Duty" will be lit on the rooftop sign) may pull over. Tell the driver where you want to go before you get in the cab. If your destination is on his way, he may take you, but he"s not under any obligation to do so. Tip cabbies at least a buck or 15 percent, whichever amount is more. And remember that hailing a cab between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. is very difficult -- everyone seems to be on the move during this time, so plan accordingly.
It may take a while before you"re able to get a cab, but even if you"re in a hurry, do not accept a ride from a gypsy cab -- only get into yellow taxi cabs that have a numbered, plastic medallion riveted to the hood. To file a complaint or to report lost property, call 212/6