As a kid, you may have envisioned that living in New York City would frequently involve getting into taxis and saying stuff like, "Step on it!" or, "Follow that car!"
But in reality, New Yorkers rarely have the opportunity to utter such phrases, unless you've had one too many drinks after just seeing the newest Bond movie.
Nevertheless, living here, you will inevitably develop several skills required by any respectable secret agent in order to carry out their mission. Here are just a few examples:
1. You know how to make yourself as small as possible
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Your rush hour commute has trained you well in this art, and you are now a seasoned expert in taking up the least amount of space possible.
[anad]
You are certain that this skill, which allows you to let a 4 person Mariachi band squeeze past you on the 4 train, would also lend itself handy while crawling through an air vent as you eavesdrop on the enemy.
2. You're always wearing a poker face
You made the mistake of smiling at someone on the train once, and after they followed you off at your stop and down the next few blocks, you've learned your lesson.
You now remain stone-faced at all times to avoid attracting the attention of any and all humans.
3. You're desensitized
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You're crossing 7th Ave one afternoon and you spot a man lying on the sidewalk, a crowd gathering around him as an ambulance approaches. You manage to get a good look at him and are fairly certain he is dead.
[anad2]
You barely blink as you quickly tell yourself something about the circle of life and carry on your merry way. After all, it's not the most shocking thing you've seen all day.
,4. You carry everything with you
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You no longer have a car that doubles as a storage unit, and you definitely don't have time to go all the way back to your apartment during the day, so you're forced to take everything you could ever need around with you every single day.
[anad]
Band-aids? Got 'em. Ibuprofen? Always. Nail file that could be wielded as a deadly weapon if need be? Absolutely.
5. You're suspicious of everyone
After being pick-pocketed as a city newbie, you are now convinced that every person around you has the potential to be a thief, or worse.
You clutch your bag with a white-knuckled ferocity and look on in horror when someone has the gall to wear a backpack on the train, their possessions woefully out of their direct line of sight.
6. You're basically a ninja
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City living has made you hella alert.
You can easily spot a Citi Bike approaching from 4 blocks away and based on its perceived velocity, can predict the exact number of seconds you have to cross the street in order to clear it.
[anad]
Let's face it, James Bond ain't got nothin' on you.
Check out 8 Types of Friends You Inevitably Have Living in NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy Crushable]