There is almost nothing more irksome (and sometimes comical) than an uniformed tourist in New York attempting to ride mass transit. Just as everyone knows that New York runs at its own hyper-speed pace, so should everyone know that the subway, buses, and taxis of New York have their own language, etiquette, and customs. The worst offenders aren't always tourists, sometimes a real, live New Yorker is to blame for your bad transit encounter. To prevent further discomfort and embarrassment for both tourist and resident alike, here are a few suggestions for riding the city with ease. Giddy up!
Personal Space and Mass Transit
What's silver and shiny and holds lots of people as they move? Poles! Poles inside the subway cars and buses are not for holding up the ceiling, and certainly not for dancing. A couple hundred people can fit in one subway car, and since there are only about 40 seats, this means most people in crowded cars are standing. Buses are more or less the same, but their ride is much more bumpy, so it's extra important to be careful.
Blocking hand space on the support poles is a terrible offense. If you've ever had a ride where someone monopolized the pole by leaning back against it, you know how it feels. Poles give us support, comfort, and a little slice of territory inside this big, noisy, metal box. When you hold on, take care to notice that your hand isn't sliding down into someone else's space. Accidental hand-touching is just plain awkward and creepy.
In addition, if you have been blessed/cursed with an abundance of waist, please do not try to squeeze onto the open seat between two happily seated riders. Search for a corner, an edge, or an empty row.
When you stand, make sure you take into account how much room is available around you for other passengers. If you have a lot of space, center yourself within it so as to provide the oncoming passengers their choice of room in which to stand. If you are a sardine in a can, keep your wandering hands to yourself (creepy guy on the #5 train, you know who you are) and don't cop a feel “accidentally.”
Sardined cars are both the best and worst cars to ride in. On the one hand, you are surrounded by human buttresses so it's unlikely that you will fall if you can't hold on to the pole. On the other hand, you might be face-to-armpit with a construction worker. When in a packed car, remember the following:
- Take your purse or bag off your shoulder and place it in between your legs
- Fix your hair up in a way that doesn't cause someone else to eat a mouthful of frizz
- Breathe to yourself, not down someone else's neck or back.
The subway is one of the greatest assets in New York City. Overall, the mass transit in NYC is superb and minus the occasional hitch, in and of itself it should be on every tourists to-do list. Take care when riding the subway and always remember to “stand clear of the closing doors.” Seriously, they show no mercy. I have the marks to prove it…
