10 essential New York tips for first-time visitors to the city - Lonely Planet

Scams to avoid in New York City In New York City, “fake monks” often target tourists in busy areas like Times Square, Battery Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge. They typically wear golden robes, offer a bead bracelet or small card, and claim it’s free only to pressure you for a donation moments later. Real Buddhist monks do not solicit money on the street, so the easiest way to avoid these scams is to never accept anything from strangers, keep walking without engaging, and politely decline any inter