Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back after a lovely Thanksgiving weekend. SUBWAYblogger’s back in business, sorry for the lack of posts.
Without further adieu, we believe it is time for our annual public service announcement for tourists visiting our fair city for the holidays. Here goes:
Get Out of the Way. Thank you.
To harsh? I think it is short and too the point.
First, you must wait for passengers to get off the train before you try to get on with all your shopping bags. Yes, you will see other people doing it, but those are experienced New Yorkers that know when they can jump on a train early. Do not attempt it yourself.
Stopping at the top or bottom of an escalator is not ok. Take at least 10 steps off the escalator before you try to turn around and look for your friends/family. Stopping at the top to put your mittens on will guarantee that you get mowed down.
Yes, he’s touching you. Those other people on the train are going to be in your personal space and probably touching you. Get over it. Or take a cab instead.
Ask for directions ahead of time. Waiting until the last minute to jump out of your seat and run for the door is not cool. Pay attention to the stops, and don’t be afraid to ask someone.
If your 20 blocks or less away from your destination, just walk. I know…exercise is not what you are used to. Trust me, it’s not that far. No need to pay the $2.00 for a ride and crowd the trains even more.
Last but not least, keep moving or get out of the way. There’s very little area in the city (approximately 13 square feet) where it is ok to just stop and stand still. So always keep moving.
Good luck.
SUBWAYblogger 
May I add that while on escalators: WALK LEFT STAND RIGHT.
I have legs and enjoy using them, hence I usually walk up and down escalators. On the few times I’m tired and worn out I always make it a point to STAND RIGHT, including my bag so people can easily pass if they like.
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Agreed!
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Take off or take down your backpacks when you are in a crowded train or bus, especially those large heavy big assed packs that usually a lot of European tourists choose to travel with instead of traditional luggage. Also when and if you have to travel up and down stairs in the subway with it, accidents can happen. Also if you have young children with you fold up all strollers before boarding the trains, especially during the rush hours. If you’re new in town, and you need to use the subway and bus, always get free maps at the booths so you can see where you have to go. Look & observe & learn how to use the subway system correctly. And when you are waiting for a train do not stand by the edge of the platform, that is dangerous and if you want to get back to where you came from then stand back until the train comes in to the station. We have a lot of nuts here and you might run into one who might want to push you onto the tracks.
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It’s a very interesting point of view, but all in all you are right. But it’s not only in New York or in the USA, that people stand in the way, or something else. I believe that this is represent on the whole planet. Perhaps not in Japan. And I think, there is nothing, you can really do against, people will always be the same, and won’t change at all. So thnx for that post, I’ve enjoyed reading it.
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What does that mean, there’s very little area to stand still? What, lol?
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Amen! I love it. As to letting people off before trying to get on, it’s just like an elevator people. Use your brains, if you have them. It just makes sense. There’s more room if you wait till people are out of the train.
I wholeheartedly agree – move or get out of my way!
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Actually, this reminds me of some quotes from overheardinnewyork.com. They’re mostly about buses, but they pretty much apply. I cleaned up the worst of the language.
Bus driver over intercom: Come on, move back, people. There’s coffee and jelly donuts in the back of the bus.
–Crosstown Bus, 57th St
Bus driver (calmly): Move to the back of the bus. I heard there is mad room in the back of the bus. Mad room. I got an e-mail up here that says there is mad room in the back. Can someone quantify how much is “mad” for me? Mad room in the back of the bus. Mad room. Mad room!
–Crowded Q 55 Bus
Conductor: Hey, partner, can we go? (static) We can’t? Why the heck not? Hey, moron, get your butt in here! You’re holding up a bunch of wonderful people! Wonderful New York commuters who don’t need this kind of bullshit at 3 on a Friday afternoon! (static) Yes, you! Keep pointing at yourself and my answer will keep being… Yes, it’s you! Goddammit, get in the train! I hate dealing with this! (long pause) You know what, make a decision: either cram your Rosie O’Donnell butt in or get the heck out! Oh, look, he’s in! (slow, sarcastic applause) Partner, we can bounce up on out of here now.
–1 Train
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@james: AGREED.
@FELICIA: Yeah Euro riders love their backpacks and they NEVER take them off. Sometimes you see them sitting at outdoor cafes eating and they still have them on. Very strange.
@Moho: Typo, yes. Very LITTLE area.
@Tracy: People panic as if the train is going to pull away with them stuck in the doorway or something. All reason is abandoned.
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how bout bring your weapons? cause you might need them to stop a suicide bomber, or that guy who wants to stab you after you look at him with disapproval for jumping the turnstyle. just make sure you don’t shoot yourself in the leg!
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Tourists don’t seem to realize that Grand Central is a working train station. They get annoyed at us when we’re running to catch a train, and we happen to run in front of them trying to take a picture, or run into them while they’re doing their whatever tourist thing, and we’re hurrying to catch a train.
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I SOOO agree with you, Tim! Tourists stay away when people have to hurry to catch their train to get to work! Grand Central certainly is a working station where we working people get our trains every day…
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