Vegas vs. New York (reprint from April 8, 2007)

I'm sitting in an empty apartment. And when I say "empty" I mean empteeeeeee. Gone is my big squishy bed. Gone is my TV. Gone is the arm chair that I spent many a hungover weekend dangling my legs off of while watching reruns of Six Feet Under. I'm kind of sad. I like this apartment a lot better than any apartment I've had in New York. Which has led to the thoughts of comparisons. I tend to compare things in lists so here you go:

Differences between Vegas and New York:

1) Walking is practically illegal in Vegas. People look at you like they want to lean out of their car window and hand you a dollar to wash their windshield. In New York walking is not only expected but neccessary.

2) In Vegas, the lady that works the register at my local CVS knows me -- not my name but she knows stuff I like that might be on sale and she reminds me not to forget my discount card the next time I come in. In New York, the same woman worked the register at my local supermarket the whole time I lived there and she never even made eye contact with me when handing me my change.

3) In New York you have to squat when you pee -- girls are fully aware of how annoying this can be. In Vegas, even dive bars have toilet seat covers and soap in the sink dispenser -- very handy and sanitary.

4) Walking in the street with an open container of alcohol is legal in Las Vegas. 'Nuff said.

5) People in New York pay $2000 a month to live in a shoebox but they don't have to buy a car. People in Vegas practically get a palace for $800 a month but they end up having to buy a car that will most likely get smacked into at least 10 times during the course of its ownership by other crazy drivers who refuse to signal or check their mirrors when changing lanes.

6) Some of the best clubs in Las Vegas will often have people who look and dress like your grandparents bellying up to the bar right next to you. Slightly disconcerting.

7) People come to Vegas dressed like they're getting ready to do yard work and then sit next to you at champagne brunch. People in New York know that fanny packs and khaki walking shorts should only be worn on a dare.

8) It is very difficult to meet people in Las Vegas who aren't tourists because the best places to hang out are all on the Strip. People in New York would not be caught dead comingling with the common folk.

9) Starbucks drive-thrus. Ingenious and slightly stinking of laziness.

Well, I hope that helps you get a better idea of what the major differences between my two home cities are. Looking at this list now, I'm amazed that I'm going back to New York, with the overpriced apartments and surly supermarket employees. I do miss it and I know I'll fall right back into my old pattern of being a typical New Yorker. But I will miss Vegas. I really will.