Weirdest Laws In New York

If you’ve ever visited New York City, you know there are careful unspoken rules regarding small talk. In a city with millions of residents for whom personal space is a rare commodity, chatting up a total stranger could get you funny looks and be considered an act of hostility rather than friendliness. 

In fact, according to one outdated law, making small talk in elevators is actually banned. It’s unclear if anyone has ever actually been arrested for commenting on the weather while en route to the 23rd floor, but as CBS Local reports, this law remains on the books. Additionally, according to the law, one must conduct themselves with absolute composure, including folding their hands and facing the door with a quiet dignity. “While riding in an elevator, one must talk to no one, and fold his hands while looking toward the door,” the regulation states. You might not get a citation for this, but following this law can’t hurt when it comes to good manners in the city. Just don’t be weird about it.

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