Subway Games

If you've ever ridden the subway in NYC, you'll notice an increasingly common phenomenon: the train will inexplicably stall for, on average, 5 to 10 minutes. This can happen at a station, in which case you might have the option of switching to another train across the platform. However, it mostly occurs when you are underground and helpless.

Fortunately, there are several games with which you can amuse yourself while on the subway:

Avoid the Bottle: No, this isn't a variation on that adolescent dating game. Invariably, someone will have left an empty glass bottle on the subway floor. As the subway creakily wends its way down its path, it will inevitably jerk around some turn, and the bottle will fly towards your feet at the speed of lightning. It's quite a feat to dodge it.

What's That Smell?: Self-explanatory, although not always pleasant.

Name That Tune: The MTA has decreed that there must be at least one individual per subway car who is blasting his/her Walkman to such a volume that the entire train can hear it. It's a fun and exciting challenge to attempt to figure out the playlist.

Subway Surfing: This game can be played on a packed subway car when you haven't secured a seat and there is no pole in sight to grab on to. Try not to fall over and cause a domino effect of toppled straphangers. (Easier said than done.)

Stand clear of the closing doors!