If you live in Manhattan long enough you easily become a food snob. And often you’ll hear a New Yorker say that the pizza, the bagels, the coffee shops, the fine dining are better in Manhattan than anywhere else . . . in the world. Of course, many people would like to argue this point, but the truth is that it’s useless to argue this point with a Manhattanite. Somehow in the course of living in Manhattan, a person slowly becomes brainwashed. I’ve seen it happen time and time again. In fact, if you argue the point long enough, you’ll be treated to another list of what’s “better in New York than anywhere else.” I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but that it’s rather peculiar, and, at the same time, funny. Funny because a New Yorker takes it all so seriously. How do I know? I know because I was there once upon a time, and I understand how it all happens
When a New Yorker travels almost invariably someone can say without hesitation that that person is from New York because there’s an edge one develops after living there a while. It’s not good; it’s not bad. It just is. I’ve heard that it takes a good two weeks for a New Yorker to calm down when away on vacation.
Than again, as I think more on this subject, it’s certainly true that things have changed, and the category of food snob has widened to include many other cities — large and small. Indeed, New Yorkers, move over and make room for the others.
And enjoy the day.