Etiquette for New York City Subway Riders

1) For those who are able, try to shower sometime in the week before stepping on a train.

2) Learn how to use a Metrocard properly. There is an art to "the swipe," and the official MTA directions aren't of much use.

Watch others and learn.

Believe me, you don't want to be the tourist who holds up the line by trying to swipe your card four times, four different ways, and still not being able to get through.

3) Don't stare at other passengers. Pretend the train is empty, even when others bump and jostle you.

4) Don't go shopping and then store your bags on the seats around you. If it won't fit in your lap, you shouldn't have bought it. (And yes, I'm a hypocrite here.)

Read a few more subway etiquette pointers in http://hubpages.com/hub/NYC-Subway-How-To

Oh, I have been waiting to get a few things off of my chest.

1) If you are standing, don't pretend you have superpowers and not hold on to the strap handle. Your fellow standees don't want the extra burden of carrying your own weight everytime you fall.

2) If you are seated in front of a woman with an infant or a very ancient looking person, please do the decent thing and offer your seat.

3) Personal hygiene goes a long way. You maynot mind the fact that your breath and body odor could knock out a skunk, but I guarantee you that the unfortunate person stuck beside you does.

4) If it is obvious that you cannot catch the train without jamming a hand, or foot, or head between the train doors, please wait on the next train. Yes I know that you absolutely have to get somewhere important in two minutes, but you harming yourself and delaying everyone else is just plain reckless and rude.

5) Everyone knows that the Ipod is the coolest thing ever invented, and is a necessity for subway riders, but do consider turning the volume down when on the subway. It is plain confusing and painful for the person trying to read to be bombarded by six different songs because the people around her are all have their Ipods on the loudest setting.

6) Do not stare rudely at people who are different from you. Put yourself in their position. You could be the one deformed/ completely covered with purple tattoos/ dressed in unusual religious garb. The point is we are all unique, and it is this quality that makes New York the great melting pot that it is. Please respect that and try to make eevrybody feel comfartable.

As a daily rider of the New York City subway system, I feel more than entitled to offer my suggestions to have an enjoyable subway ride for yourself as well as those around you. If you keep these things in... keep reading →

What a daunting task for tourists and new New Yorkers alike: riding on the New York City subway system! It's just like this great city; it's big, it's complicated, and it's fast-paced. This is not a... keep reading →