Parents in New York City are discovering what it ultimately takes to get their 20-something children to come over for a nice quiet evening at home: the prospect of living without power, water or Internet in their own downtown apartments.
With lower Manhattan plunged into darkness by Hurricane Sandy and power still far from being restored, many young New Yorkers are fleeing their homes in hip, downtown neighborhoods and trudging back home to their parents' in search of a flushing toilet, Internet connection and a place to charge their phones.
In return, mom and dad are finally getting a chance to grill their children about their marriage prospects and career ambitions. Given that subways remain on the fritz, many businesses are still shuttered and most New York apartments are tiny, there's nowhere to hide.
"When there's nothing to talk about, it becomes 'What else can we bother Arzi about?'" said Arzi Rachman, a freelance PR specialist who has been living with his mother and aunt in Queens since Saturday. "I've been getting a lot of the regular, 'Hey, you're in your mid-20s. What are you doing with your life? Are you married? Why not?'"
"It's a lot of parent time," agreed Chris, who asked to be identified by his first name only and has been staying with his parents at their Upper East Side apartment since his own place 20 blocks south lost power. "They're getting to ask all the questions they don't ask over the phone or email about."
Sophie Robbins, who has been sharing a one-bedroom apartment on the Upper West Side with her parents, brother and three dogs, says the close quarters are creating a "bizarre shift" in her relationship with her parents: As she's gotten older, she's grown accustomed to having a more adult rapport with her mother and father. Since being back at home, however, one moment she's the boss, telling them where to find batteries and guiding them through the city, and the next her mother is telling her to stay away from the window for fear of strong winds.
"I'm either the child or the one in charge," said Robbins. "There's no in-between."
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