Skip to main content

The Pondering 10 – Most Annoying Subway Occurrences

The world of the New York City Subway system is that of an interesting one. It is one that can be considered a separate culture onto its own. The system has its own forms of courtesy, its ways of progress, and its day-to-day rituals and routines that are second-nature to most New Yorkers. However, as always with every culture, there are various things that are cause for annoyance, with some of those being caused by a select few that refuse to follow the ways of the underground world (looking at those tourists). We all know public transportation can be very inconvenient, uncomfortable, and irritating because of those infractions of the common underground law. The following Pondering 10 ranks the most annoying things that occur on the New York City Subway system.


Pondering10InfrontofSubway10. Standing in Front of Turnstile – So you head down the steps into the station only to see your train pull in. Of course, along with everyone, you race ahead to the turnstile with Metrocard in ahead to catch that train only to have the person ahead of you do the same, but stop right in front of the turnstile to look for their Metrocard. Yes, very annoying. Just as annoying as the person that loiters on either side of the turnstile. Be prepared to go through, and then move, would ya?
Pondering10BlockingDoors 9. Riders Do Not Move Into Train – Folks, the middle of the car has standing room as well. Please move in, and allow new riders onto the train.
Pondering10FatPeople 8. Plus Size Seating – Life is all about knowing your limits. As a rather taller individual, I know specific places and seating that would not only be uncomfortable for me, but others as well. If you are well, let’s just say, “plus sized”, and the seat available is about 6 inches wide, you can’t fit – trust me. And if you do feel for some reason you can fit, how about you not throw yourself into the seat crushing the people next to you.
Pondering10Pregnant 7. Priority Seating – Nothing is more annoying than watching wall street executives in their mid-twenties sit comfortably in their designer suits while the disabled, elderly, or pregnant stand. Give up your seat! Standing for 15 minutes will not kill you.
Pondering10Loud 6. Loud Conversations – Whether it be on your cellular phone or with the person next to you, the whole entire car does not need to know what is going on in your life.
Pondering10Teenagers 5. Teenagers – Teenagers are annoying in groups, anywhere. Being in a train car, underground, with no where to go just amplifies that much more.
Pondering10Women 4. Middle Aged Women – Yes, that is correct. Middle. Aged. Women. Now this may be the most controversial annoyance on the list, but New Yorkers known exactly what I am talking about. There is something about the Middle-aged woman with her numerous bags on her shoulders that allows her to believe she has the right to shove, push, and force her way onto trains when they pull into the situation. Yes, your status of a middle-aged woman gives you sentimental favoritism, but once you begin getting physical, don’t look so surprised when you get boxed out, or worse, shoved back.
Pondering10Noheadphones 3. Playing Music Aloud/Loud Earphones – What happened to using your headphones to keep one’s music to themselves? It seems the fad now is to have everyone hear what you are listening to. If it isn’t the insanely loud headphones of the person next to you, it’s the teenage kid that thinks playing his four song playlist out loud on his phone is cool. I don’t want to hear your music, and no, it is not cool.
Pondering10Crowdedtrain 2. Crowded Trains – Its uncomfortable having your space invaded. How about having no personal space at all? Yeah, not fun.
Pondering10Delays 1. Delays – Nothing like being ahead of schedule and having a great morning, then slowly stalling between stations to hear repetitive announcements of delays. Or waiting for an eternity on a freezing cold or insanely hot platform for a train that seems like it will never come. Very, very, annoying.

Recently Read

Dome Pondering Move Review: Say You Will (2017)

What is it about? A recent high school graduate cares for his mother while attempting to navigate his first relationship following his father's suicide.  Who is in it? Travis Tope - Sam Nimitz Katherine Hughes - Ellie Vaughn Favorite Scene: [spoiler alert] Sam plays his song for his mom. Favorite Quote: Ellie: "I wish we could have met down the road, maybe when we were like 27." Sam: "I think we needed each other now." Review:  Say You Will was an absolutely pleasant surprise of a watch from the Amazon Prime offerings.  I wasn't exactly sure what to expect with this one, but after the credits rolled, it was a movie that provided authentic characters and a great lesson on life. We don't always have to have everything figured out, and it's okay if you don't.  What makes Say You Will so beautiful is that all of the characters are carrying some inner struggle that connects them in the moment and time that helps them through whatever it is. The unlike...

TNA Slammiversary 2025 Review: "One of the best TNA shows that I've ever attended"

One of the best TNA shows that I've ever attended.  That has been the bottom line regarding my immediate my thoughts on TNA Slammiversary 2025 since it my son and I walked away from UBS Arena. I attended the - the - record-breaking show for the company this past weekend in Long Island, NY, and it brought back so many feelings that I had for this company in the past, as well as created new ones in the process.  I've been fortunate enough to attend many TNA shows throughout the company's existence, including all the turbulent years. From barns, small theaters, convention halls, and historic, but smaller, venues like the Manhattan Center, there was a very surreal aura about sitting in an area for a TNA show.  In the words of Real1 (who made an appearance on the Countdown to Slammiversary)... Well, well, well...whatta we got here!  For this long-time fan, the aura and environment were pretty cool. Being part of a record-breaking night was pretty cool. Sharing that momen...

Remembering Hulkamania

What a complicated mess this news leaves me in. Hulk Hogan. Dead. At 71. I was never a fan of Hogan (in the world of pro wrestling)…I was a Macho Man Randy Savage guy, and later on, a Bret Hart guy (and still am). But like every other wrestling fan from the ’80s through now, Hulk Hogan’s presence and legend are undeniable.  Terry Bolea transcended wrestling as Hulk Hogan and helped the art form take its first step into the mainstream of pop culture.  He later reinvented the business once again with the greatest heel turn ever at Bash at the Beach 1996. Many have changed the business once, but twice? Significantly?! Hogan’s run as Hulkamania and as Hollywood makes a case for the best to ever do it - I can't think of anyone on such a high level on both sides of the pro wrestling coin as a babyface and heel. Every pro wrestling Mount Rushmore (as dumb as these lists have become) includes Hulk Hogan, period. But Hogan is also so instrumental in my ever-evolving ability to separate...