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Comments: Week of December 18, 2023

1.

“Reasons to Love New York” December 1–17

The magazine’s annual “Reasons to Love New York” ­issue featured everything from a newly single former First Lady to a lost dog found through the kindness of strangers. “Reasons to Love New York was entertaining, as always, except for the item about ordering a takeout martini
from Nobu, which was spectacular,” wrote
Judith Coyne in a letter. “I thought you would’ve balanced the roundup with some serious ­substance, such as one of your excellent reporting pieces. But no, instead you piled on with a long takeout on Timothée ­Chalamet. 10 pages! I loved all of it. Please carry on ­giving me the stories I need, not just the stories I think I need.” The City’s Katie Honan commended the “good ­showing from Queens including the first and ­second slots. This is always what I look for first.” And @iLove_CC wrote, “my only life goal is to be a Reason to Love New York.”

  1. “You want to see something cool? That’s me,” thrift-shopping guide Codey James told a passerby outside Iconic Magazines.

    Photo: Codey James

  2. “Wait stylish and hilarious … that’s my dream description,” said former TikTok employee Simona Ruzer.

    Photo: Simona Ruzer

  3. “A cupid dropped by the shop,” wrote Casa Magazines after matchmaker Tiffany Baira picked up her copy of the issue.

    Photo: Casa Magazines

  4. “I guess I’m no longer a transplant — I’m in New York Magazine!” influencer tour guide Benton McClintock said.

    Photo: Benton McClintock

  5. “If 2017 Kelsey could see where she is now, she would not be so stressed out and be so proud of herself,” said accessible-fashion influencer Kelsey Kotzur.

    Photo: Kelsey Kotzur

  6. “I feel like I have to play Where’s Waldo? with my nightmare blunt rotation to find you,” Thomas Lanese told his friend, the comedian Lukas Battle.

    Photo: Lukas Battle

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2.

“Because on a Recent Friday, We Cleared the City of Its TikTokers and Brought Them to Bad Roman”

Many readers responded to reason No. 12, “Because on a Recent Friday, We Cleared the City of Its TikTokers and Brought Them to Bad Roman” — some with consternation, others with amusement. @toindiaforever wrote, “this looks like a hieronymus bosch painting of hell,” and@n_sacca commented, “Please keep them there.” “this is truly like the worst of NYC in one photo. these people need to go back to the small towns they came from and stop jacking up my rent,” wrote Leslie Ye. “i don’t even see Dutch in this photo which tells me everything i need to know … love Sabrina and Meredith … but they’re from like, ­connecticut.” Some appreciated their lack of familiarity with the TikTokers: “I don’t recognize a single one of these people. It’s pure bliss,” said Matthew Famularo. Many of the influencers in the photo posted their reactions to the issue on their platforms. Here are a few of their responses.

Send correspondence to [email protected]. Or go to nymag.com to respond to individual stories.

Comments: Week of December 18, 2023