Mickey Z

Cool Observer

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Saturday, May 27, 2006

Everything about them reeks of anxiety

Storytelling Saturday goes tourist on a holiday weekend

Once upon a time...

Tourists are unmistakable on the NYC subway. They think it’s hilarious when the train pulls out and they nearly fall. They make eye contact with everyone. Everything makes them nervous. They wear Hard Rock Café t-shirts. They use the subway map without even a shred of shame.

Interestingly, even the savviest NYC native can look like a tourist when riding an unfamiliar subway line. Everything about them reeks of anxiety: their posture, facial expression, their entire aura. They check the map and dutifully count the stops. You put the same person on their regular subway route and they’ll rise from their seat at the right stop without even glancing up.

The End