It seems like the most obnoxious people always get on the subway at the times when you most need peace and quiet. Here are the seven worst types of people you encounter on the NYC subway:
1. People playing their music too loud
You can’t even concentrate on reading your book because you have to listen to “Work.” You don’t want to tap the person on the shoulder and tell them to turn it down because it violates subway etiquette to talk to anyone you don’t know.
2. Mediocre subway performers
A great subway performance can put you in a great mood, but truly great performances are rare. Usually it’s just the same tricks you’ve seen 10 times, and then you have to cope with how they make you feel guilty for not clapping.
3. Loud groups of teenagers
You can’t read, you can’t do your puzzle, you might not even be able to listen to music because those kids insist on talking to each other at a volume which is 20 decibels higher than necessary.
4. Drunk people who are about to vomit
Immediately begin planning your escape route to another car once the person starts bending over at the waist.
5. Spreaders
Sometimes women can be worse spreaders than men because they have so many shopping bags. And then there are the people who bring their bikes on the subway. Come on, couldn’t you have just ridden your bike to wherever you’re going?
6. Couples eating each other’s faces
This is not your personal private car. Not even close.
7. This guy
Cover photo credit: Oscar F. Hevia/Flickr