# New York Stereotypes... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 13, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054 "2004-10-13T19:11:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/1 "2004-10-13T19:11:21Z")
I may be going to a costume party this weekend, and the theme is New York. So I am looking to my fellow Dopers to help me pick a relatively cheap, and comfortable, costume that is New York related. Now, up front, the only three I can think of off the top of my head are: 1. Wall Street guy - I don’t have a nice enough suit. 2. Homeless guy - This I can do, but no one will want to talk to me and I am shy enough as it is. 3. Arab Sky Captain - too soon? This is completely tasteless. And flawed, since the terrorists were not wearing Sky Captain gear, but going as a civilian of Arab decent would be meaningless. I think this idea works better in my twisted head than anywhere else. So, I am looking for ideas, any ideas, please. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/2 "2004-10-13T19:13:36Z")
Wear tights, carry a gym bag, and you’re a dancer auditioning for Broadway! You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/3 "2004-10-13T19:18:27Z")
🙂 You haven’t seen me in tights Although that could be worked as an unsuccessful auditioner. I will keep that in mind. ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/4 "2004-10-13T19:19:34Z")
Squeegee guy? Susan ---
**Author:** ![Waccoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Waccoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waccoe)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/5 "2004-10-13T19:30:57Z")
It’s always been acceptable to go as Woody Allen: heavy black specs anxious expression check preppy shirt old sports jacket fawn denims suede shoes 16 year old female companion ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/6 "2004-10-13T19:34:43Z")
> [@FordPrefect](#): > > So, I am looking for ideas, any ideas, please. First, NewYork is attitude. Above all else. Wallstreet Guy, homeless Guy aren’t New York…they’re the castaways of the outer boros. Your choices are: Bagel Guy Taxi Guy Greek Deli Guy “ethnic” busboy, dishwasher… “Urban” Guy, but looking the part is expensive. ACLU Attorney with ponytail 4th Generation Mobster ( NO Shiny suits) instead, sweat suits, St George Medal, pinky ring, etc. Could be 3rd Generation but need suit. 2nd Generation Mobster would dress like your grandpa, but will have the “look” in his eyes. Pimp Daddy, but would have to be retro to be cool…ie SuperFly ( Good way to pick up, as clothing and attitude gives off “sexuality and dominance”… ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/7 "2004-10-13T19:52:37Z")
> [@Waccoe](#): > > 16 year old female companion That could be pricey. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/8 "2004-10-13T19:59:10Z")
> [@holmes](#): > > First, NewYork is attitude. Above all else. > … > Pimp Daddy, but would have to be retro to be cool…ie SuperFly ( Good way to pick up, as clothing and attitude gives off “sexuality and dominance”… That could also be pricey, especially since Mrs. Prefect can’t be there. No Pimp Daddy Ford this time. If Mrs. P could come too then that would be fun. Attitude, hmm. I will have to watch some NY movies and pick up some pointers. I could go as one of the “Leafers” from Family Guy… Or at least steal some of the lines. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/9 "2004-10-13T20:01:33Z")
A couple of suggestions that don’t involve mimicking types of people. [ul] [li]Fashion yourself a “crown” and “torch”, then throw on a sheet, and voila–you’re the Statue of Liberty.[/li][li] (possibly difficult) – paint the outside of a large box to look like a building. You’d have holes in the box for your arms and wear it. Then fashion a hat that would identify a specific building, like the Empire State or the Chrysler.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/10 "2004-10-13T20:02:56Z")
Go naked, then you can be the Prometheus Statue in Rockefeller Square. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/11 "2004-10-13T20:08:16Z")
Wrap yourself in really bright LEDs and go as Times Square. ---
**Author:** ![FordPrefect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@FordPrefect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordPrefect)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/12 "2004-10-13T20:08:29Z")
> [@Spectre of Pithecanthropus](#): > > Go naked, then you can be the Prometheus Statue in Rockefeller Square. 😃 Relatively cheap, comfortable, and New York related. This has all the criteria _covered_ so to speak. Plus, it will guarantee that the only pick-up possible is me by the police, and not the NYPD. This is the leading contender so far 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/13 "2004-10-13T20:23:34Z")
> [@FordPrefect](#): > > Relatively cheap, comfortable, and New York related. This has all the criteria _covered_ so to speak. Plus, it will guarantee that the only pick-up possible is me by the police, and not the NYPD. This is the leading contender so far 🙂 And I’m not even from there. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9dc877/32.png) [@Nightwatch\_Trailer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightwatch_Trailer)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/14 "2004-10-13T21:53:28Z")
Naked Cowboy anyone? Of course, that might offend the **real** one… ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/15 "2004-10-13T22:07:30Z")
You can pick a Seinfeld character and have at it. George, Kramer, Jerry, Newman, Elaine, Frank (George’s father), or Susan’s father - just dress up like a white haired hard drinking Norman Mailerish macho guy and skulk around clutching a crumpled box of love letters from John Cheever. You can go as Travis Bickle. “You talkin to me?” Or simply dress like a woman. How well or poorly doesn’t make much of a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2004, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/16 "2004-10-13T23:13:40Z")
How about going as a Damon Runyan character? ---
**Author:** ![saramamalana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@saramamalana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saramamalana)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2004, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/17 "2004-10-14T00:09:35Z")
1. Wear a trenchcoat lined with watches and jewelry, offer to sell them at low, low prices! 2. Only the trenchcoat. And I mean _only_. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![shamrock227](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@shamrock227](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shamrock227)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2004, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/18 "2004-10-14T00:48:56Z")
Why don’t you just carry around a bunch of wallets and go as a mugger? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2004, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/19 "2004-10-14T00:50:05Z")
Just wear all black. This has become somewhat of a clichéd stereotype, but since that’s what you’re looking for, voilà. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2004, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054/20 "2004-10-14T00:51:52Z")
I don’t know what city you’re in, but go in full Yankees or Mets regalia, carry a beer at all times, and never let your voice fall below 120 decibels the whole evening. (Yeah, I just got off a train going to Yankee Stadium, what’s it to ya?) Or dress like a teenager and take a box of candy. Stand up periodically and shout, “EXCUSE ME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IF I CAN HAVE A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME, WE’RE HERE SELLING CANDY FOR UNIFORMS FOR OUR BASKETBALL TEAM SO WE CAN STAY OUT OF TROUBLE, I GOT PEANUT M&MS AND STARBURST TODAY, THANK YOU.” Or you can be a bum begging on the subway instead, each time with a different horrible disease or heartbreaking sob story. Or a BATTERY ONE DOLLAR, ONE DOLLAR guy. Make sure you try this just when people are sitting down to eat and/or engrossed in deep conversation. Man, I spend a lot of time on the subway. Our Wall Street guys look like any other financial types you might find, so I would go as a well-dressed geek with my pockets turned out and be a refugee of the Silicon Alley bubble. Or an ad exec, with a little ponytail if you can manage one. Or a Broadway show queen, with CDs of cast albums in your pockets and show buttons on your lapels, quoting from GREENWILLOW or ANYONE CAN WHISTLE. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-stereotypes/269054.md?page=2)