5 Tips for Riding The Subway in New York even if you are a Tourist . . . . .

Believe it or not there is an art to riding the subway in New York. New Yorkers don't have the luxury of having cars and being able to drive from home to the store only a few miles away. Instead we rely on this thing we call the "iron horse". It has its moments but for the most part it works. There are always some unexpected challenges that can happen during your commute for example you just sat down and are comfortable when the train goes out of service, or there is a sick passenger while you are in the tunnel and now you have to just wait, or my favorite the train is not stopping at the stop you need to get off and no one tells you that until you get closer to the stop you need to get off! So here are a few rules to help you whether you use the subway every day or are just visiting! Feel free to share some of your tips!

1. Know Your Route and Have a Backup Plan- Know where you are going before you get on the train, look up directions online and print them out if you have to. Also ask the clerks in the booth for a map. There are some subway cars equipped with maps but they are right above a seat so in most cases you will be hovering over someone while you are trying to figure out where you're going. Instead ask the person in the Map Seat for directions, and if they are unsure trust me they will look at the map with you and help you figure it out. This is way better than hovering over someone who may or may not be in the most understanding of moods. Also make sure you have a backup route to get where you're going just in case one of the unexpected mishaps happens.
2. Be Conscious of your Size and Space- If you are a 6'3 guy in a big winter coat why are you going to try and squeeze in a seat that you can clearly see is too small? It just puts everyone on edge so don't do it. Be aware of your size and the space around you. Also I love reading on the subway just as much as the next person so I carry my kindle or a magazine. Don't open the Metro section of the New York Times on a crowded train, this does not make you look educated or smart it makes you a douche!
3. Hold On To Your Kids- The subway is not clean by any means in fact its downright disgusting! This is a vehicle that is in use 25 hours a day! People sleep on it, they have sex on it, the use it as their personal bathrooms in some regards. Don't let your children play all over the seats, touch the poles etc. Kids don't know any better and need their parents to guide them, I have seen children lick the poles, touch the seats and their hands go right to their mouth! Save yourself and your child a trip to the Emergency Room and some antibiotics have them sit on your lap, or carry a pillowcase for them to sit on, in the summer I grab one of the free papers and sit on that because I am so paranoid of bed bugs, lice etc. If you happen to sit in the first or last cars and kids want to look out into the tunnel let them but make sure you are in arms reach.
4. Let the Old People, Handicapped and Pregnant Women Sit-You would think this would go without saying, but if that were the case I would not need to mention it. I have seen elderly people who look like they could have barely make it our of bed, people with casts and crutches and pregnant women dripping placenta all standing on the SUBWAY! People refuse to get up, a lot of time women will get up and offer their seat, I wont say chivalry is dead but it must be on a coffee break during rush hour. If you see someone who looks like they need to sit down let them sit.
5. Follow the Triple A Rule- Alert, Aware at All Times! 

Whats the craziest thing you have seen or heard about the NYC Subway?

Be Safe,

The Diva