10 Things You Need to Know About Going to New York on Business

There’s nothing quite like a business trip to New York. It’s the only place where you can close a deal, grab a bagel, nearly get run over by a yellow taxi, and see someone walking a ferret, all before 10:00 in the morning. If you’re heading to the city that never sleeps and expects you not to either, you’ll want to prepare for the chaos, the charm, and the caffeine fueled energy that make New York one of the most exhilarating work destinations on the planet.

1. Plan Your Day Around Meetings (and Store Your Luggage)

If you’re only there for a short time, you need to make sure that you plan your day according to your meetings and your schedule. There is New York luggage storage as an option so you don’t have to drag it through midtown during rush hour like a salmon swimming upstream. And hopefully you can check into your hotel early if you can’t find a decent option. There are some things you do need to know about having a business trip to New York before you touch down at JFK, so let’s dive in.

2. Move Like a New Yorker: Walk Fast or Get Flattened

The city moves fast, so you need to be faster. New Yorkers walk like they’re late for their own weddings, and nobody likes a street slug. The pace is fast, focused and mildly intimidating. Your leisurely conference saunter is not going to work in New York. In New York, you power walk wherever you go, you weave, and you absolutely do not stop in the middle of the footpath to check your phone. That’s how tourists get trampled! A good rule of thumb is that if you’re not sure whether you’re walking fast enough, speed up.

3. Wear the Right Shoes: Comfort Beats Style Here

Your shoes matter more than your slides. You can have the most polished business pitch in the world, but if you’re hobbling into your meeting with blistered feet, nobody’s going to buy your AI powered Future-tech synergy solution. New York requires serious footwear between subway stairs, endless avenues, and “oh, it’s only four blocks” – lies four blocks in New York is like 27 normal blocks by the way – your shoes will be your best friend or your worst enemy. Invest in something smart, comfortable and blessed by the gods of foot support. Your toes will thank you.

4. Master the Subway Instead of Fighting Traffic

The subway is your chaotic but efficient ally. If you’re tempted to Uber everywhere, don’t. New York traffic moves at roughly the pace of a motivational speaker’s pause for dramatic effect, painfully slow. The subway, on the other hand, is fast, affordable, and only mildly confusing. A few tips with the subway is that Uptown equals North, Downtown equals South. Don’t make eye contact with anyone trying to perform a magic show before 9:00 and stand clear of the closing doors unless you want to be slammed by them like a slapstick movie extra.

5. Be Early: New York Runs on Time

Timing is everything. New Yorkers treat time like currency, and they spend it carefully and save it aggressively. They also hate when you waste it. If your meeting is at 10, you better be there 5 minutes early, latte in hand, ready to impress. Also, don’t expect meetings to start late. This is not Los Angeles, so meetings will start on time and they will finish early. Nobody wants to chat about your crystal collection or your morning smoothie routine. New Yorkers want to be efficient almost as much as they love complaining about the rent.

6. Expect Wild Weather and Pack Layers

You are not prepared for the weather. New York weather has the personality of a Moody artist. Sunny at breakfast, Gale force winds at lunch and mold hurricanes by 3:00. Pack layers, waterproofs, umbrellas, and something that won’t disintegrate when hit by sideways rain. There’s nothing worse than trying to give a high stakes presentation while looking like you just crawled out of a swimming pool.

7. Coffee Isn’t Optional — It’s Survival

Coffee is a business tool, not a beverage. If you think you drink a lot of coffee, New Yorkers will humble you quickly. Coffee is the lifeblood of the city, the fuel that powers meetings, late nights and existential crisis prevention. While chain coffee shops are everywhere, do yourself a favour and try some local cafes. You’ll get stronger coffee, better pastries and the chance to overhear someone pitching a Broadway show or a crypto startup. But be warned, if you order a regular coffee, it means a coffee with milk and sugar. If you want just black coffee, ask for it specifically unless you like surprises.

8. Choose Neighborhoods That Fit Your Agenda

Know your neighborhoods. New York is not one monolithic business district. The neighborhood you choose affects your meetings, your commute, and your sanity. Midtown, for example, is great for corporate meetings but terrible for your blood pressure. There are crowds everywhere, but it’s very convenient. Soho is trendy, artistic, and full of people who look like they’re permanently on route to a photo shoot. And then you have Brooklyn, which is great if you are meeting creatives, tech firms or startups. Brooklyn is where they’ll want to take you, so bring your best ‘I understand innovation’ energy.

9. Decode New York Business Casual

Business casual means something different here. In many cities, business casual means chinos and a polite shirt. In New York, it means anything from a full designer wardrobe to a tech bro in a hoodie worth more than your rent. When in doubt, dress smart and then adjust based on the people around you. New Yorkers won’t judge you, but they will silently evaluate your watch.

10. Eat Efficiently and Tip Properly

Meals are fast, portions are large, and tipping matters. You may be used to long, leisurely business lunches, but in New York, lunch is an efficiency exercise. You sit, you order, you inhale, you sign the bill, you tip and you leave. Also, if someone suggests a quick bagel, understand that New Yorkers treat bagels like religion. Respect the bagel.

Give yourself time to actually enjoy the city. Yes, you’re on a business trip, but it’s also New York. You cannot fly all the way there, give your presentation and go home. Make room for a walk through Central Park and a skyline view from a rooftop bar. Catch a Broadway show and a museum that makes you feel cultured. This business trip can still be exciting.