If you tried any of these anywhere else, they would make no sense. Good thing we live in this crazy city.
1. “Sorry I’m late. The A got rerouted to the F line and I ended up in Brooklyn.”
[Diego Torres Silvestre/Flickr]2. “I can’t make it out tonight. The L is fucked.”
[Stephen Rees/Flickr]3. “Sorry I’m late. My MetroCard was empty to I had to walk to Canal street to refill it.”
[NYC Talking]4. “I know we have plans but I need to cancel. I need to snag this one bedroom apartment today before someone else does.”
[iris/Flickr]5. “Sorry I’m late. I think the train’s dispatcher has it out for me.”

6. “I can’t get to work today. The Pope is here.”
[Independent]7. “Sorry I had to take such a long lunch break. The line at Katz was particularly ridiculous today.”
[Food Smackdown]8. “No I can’t meet you at that coffee shop. Their bathroom is for employees only.”
[Etsy]9. “Sorry I’m late. I was buying my seventh umbrella.”
[Daily Mail]10. “I don’t think this is going to work out. You live in Washington Heights and I live in Bushwick. I just can’t do long-distance.”
[sheknows.com] 11. “I don’t think this is going to work out. You’re a Mets fan and I’m a Yankees fan.”
[NY Daily News]12. “I’m gonna have to cancel our 8pm dinner plans. My boss needs me to work late.”

13. “No I can’t get breakfast. I have to move my car.”
[Mark Lyon/Flickr] Cover photo credit: Jens Schott Knudsen/Flickr