9.) Empty Subway Cars

If you're visiting New York for the first time, here's something that will save you a substantial amount of displeasure. Say you're standing on a subway platform, and a train rolls on into the station. It seems that all of the cars are pretty jammed full with people, except this one lovely car that only has a few people aboard - maybe none. "What luck," you say. "I will be able to sit comfortably on my way to Times Square to visit the M&M store! New York isn't such a crowded, uncomfortable place afterall."

Well, here's the bad news. That lovely car is practically empty for one of two very unfortunate reasons:

1.) There's no air conditioning. This typically happens in the hottest months of summer. If you think the streets above are unbearable, anything below ground is sheer torture (there's a reason that's where Hell is).

2.) There's probably an INCREDIBLY smelly homeless person in the car. This one can be deceptive, because it may take your nose a few moments to notice. You may think you've won the subway car jackpot, then WHAM! It hits your nostrils like an underground locomotive. "I will literally do anything to be anywhere else in the entire world!"

So, don't count your chickens before they hatch. That lovely, little subway car may not be all that it appears to be.

By Joe Lankheet