Street Theater

"Where politer European cities might have had street mimes, New York has always had the Brechtian street theater of pavement psychodrama: the muttering, bellowing, gesticulating and teetering looney tunes for whom the drugs are no longer working, who look like characters from Exodus, prophets of urban collapse and carnal comeuppance."
A.A. Gill, The Golden Door

Mark

"There's no arguing with this. New York is the mark against which all cities measure themselves. Because New Yorkers say so."
A.A. Gill, The Golden Door

For the Worse

Greenpoint

"It isn't what it was. Ask any New Yorker and they'll tell you it's a different city now, and all for the worse. Change in New York is always for the worse. Always for the worse, as the city slowly get better."
A.A. Gill, To America with Love

Divorcée

"New York's not related to anywhere; it has no kith or kin on this continent. Everywhere else is like everywhere else. But New York is like a divorcée looking for a richer second country."
A.A. Gill, To America with Love

Ceiling Height

Morgan Library & Museum

"New Yorkers will tell you the height of their ceilings. They'll tell you unbidden, with a straight face.  They'll tell you about other ceilings they've seen or heard about.  They're serious about ceiling height. It matters. But only to New Yorkers and popes."
A.A. Gill, To America with Love

Loneliest City

East 25th St.

"New York is the loneliest city. It doesn't smoke anymore, it doesn't drink much anymore, it doesn't do drugs, it's too rich and too expensive. The people who made the fun for the people who made the money have moved out. It's safe. But the city that doesn't sleep can now barely stay awake for dessert—if it ever ate dessert."
A.A. Gill, Previous Convictions

Once Upon a Time

Statue of Liberty

"This was always the immigrant city. This is where he big lady stands by the golden door. This is the once-upon-a-time place, the start of countless stories. New York is still somewhere you have to achieve."
A.A. Gill, To America with Love

Planned Spontaneity

Madison Square Park

"New Yorkers love spontaneity, love it to death. But they need advance warning. You want to give a New York friend a panic attack, turn up unannounced on a Wednesday and suggest going for a drink. It is easier to organize five guys to raise a flag on Iwo Jima than to get mates out for movie and dinner."
A.A. Gill, To America with Love