11.) You Need To Store Up Cash

Yeah, I mean the way your grandpappy used to do back in the Depression.  I’m talking weekly trips to the ATM (during the day – don’t be stupid) for a hundred bucks or more each time.

For all the attempts at gentrification, New York City is still a city of small business owners, many of whom don’t take credit cards or checks.  The start up costs for processing these conveniences just isn’t worth it for some stores.  And, you may have noticed that the turnover on small businesses (especially restaurants) in this town is really, really high.  New places take a month or so to get off the cash only service.  As you get off the beaten path, there’s nothing worse than finding a brand new, unexplored restaurant or shop and not having any bills on you. 

In fact, I’ll go so far to say that the BEST, non-touristy experiences you’ll have in this city will require cash.  There’s a diner just a block from my place.  One of the surliest short order cooks/servers I’ve ever seen.  But the pancakes are terrific. It’s cash only.  You go waving some plastic around those Naugahyde booths, and you’ll be picking the shards of a highball glass out of your eye.  Be prepared, and don’t use non-banking ATM’s.  Just like in a casino, they are a sucker bet, and we’ll all be laughing at you while you use ‘em.

By Jara Michael Jones