On a scale of Panna II to the Odeon, where does Sarah Pidgeon fit? This is NYQ, a series in which we find out how “New York” notable New Yorkers really are.
How many years have you lived in New York? Eight, on and off.
You could make one subway-etiquette rule law — what would it be? Fill up the middle of the train first.
Someone bumps into you on the subway — what do you do? Say, “Take me out to dinner first.”
Your train line is down and you are running late — what do you do? Apologize profusely to whoever I’m meeting. Maybe hop on a Citi Bike. If it’s close enough, I’ll hoof it.
Your cab driver is taking you on a horrible route. Do you interrupt? No, I’ll be a completely passive passenger.
How often do you take public transportation to the airport? My most recent trip back from JFK, I took the AirTrain. Cost me 11 bucks and was actually six minutes faster than what my Uber was going to take.
Someone tries to hand you a flyer on the street — what do you do? Say, “I don’t live here.”
Someone tries to get you to film a TikTok on the street. What do you do? Duck and cover.
It’s a blinking red light and you’re about to cross — do you wait it out till it says walk, or are you crossing? It completely depends on how much I’m lost in my train of thought, but usually I jaywalk.
You have family coming to town in 24 hours — what do you do with them on short notice? I ask my sister to plan the weekend.
Someone says the rats are actually cute — what’s your honest response? Agree with them and tell them that they’re very intelligent.
Someone you want to impress asks for restaurant advice — what neighborhood do you send them to for the best cookies? I really love Prospect Heights, and Radio Bakery is delicious if you like waiting in a line.
What’s the longest you’ve ever waited in a line in New York? Twenty, 30 minutes.
What’s the longest you’ve ever waited on a subway platform? Probably 26 minutes.
What’s the most you’ve ever paid for a coffee in New York City? Definitely upward of $8. I feel very strongly that if you’re going out to coffee with a friend, you pick up both coffees.
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Bed bugs or roaches? Roaches, 100,000 percent.
Roaches or rats? Rats, 100 million percent.
How would you do the New York City accent? “Gabagool.” Is that New Jersey?
Do you touch the subway poles? I have an intense habit of washing my hands a lot. I do, like, one of these [pulls sleeve over hand to demonstrate]. Or I’ll lean or I’ll sit.
Best New York celebrity sighting? The bronze men who, like, sit on thin air. That’s my New York celebrity.
What about NYC still makes no sense to you? Is it the Fulton Street stop? How to transfer to the — is it the J? You’re supposed to do, like, a loop around. It just doesn’t make any sense, and the signage is really bad. It’s easily fixable.
You know you’re a New Yorker when … When you know, directionally, which way to get out of the subway, and you don’t have to look at Google Maps.
What’s a place that closed that you wish you could bring back? This place called Bar Meridian. Cheap drinks, cheap eats. They had, like, day-old spaghetti that was always really yummy.
Sexiest New Yorker? Whoever is brave enough to put their hand out for me to hold the subway doors from closing.
How much do you pay when you go to the Met? Whatever’s suggested. I think it’s 30 bucks. If I had two 20s, I’d like to believe that I would just, like, give ’em 40 bucks.
What percent did you tip your last Uber driver? I hope 20 percent.
How many times have you moved in New York City? Eight, if you count sublets.
What was the worst move? I saved myself money on Ubers ’cause I was moving, like, a mile and a half. So I would fill my suitcases up and walk them to my apartment and then have to wheel them back. Like 15 times.
Last thing you used your famous-person status to get in New York? I don’t think I do that. I actually went to Public Records and got, essentially, turned away.
