A friend posted this link: http://www.slate.com/id/2246104/, to a hilarious article detailing one woman's "adventure" through the labyrinth we New Yorkers know as Penn Station, or more formally Pennsylvania Railroad Station. Poor woman got lost following the signs to Amtrak. Mistake number one, if you're not from New York or you are from New York and are in unfamiliar territory, ask a native. Sure you may get shoved off the first or second time, but eventually someone is gonna yell at you "THAT WAY" or point a knowing finger in your desired direction.
If you don't wish to ask a native, then follow one. If you are in Penn Station and see someone in a suit with a briefcase, he is probably trying to catch Acela...I would follow him. If you see someone with luggage, they are probably trying to catch The Crescent, The Lake Shore Limited, The Vermonter, The Pennsylvanian or a whole slew of other Amtrak trains that leave out of New York. Even if that business man or that luggage carrier is going to New Jersey Transit, at least you're on the right level to be able to correct your mistake...you did know Penn Station has two levels right? If either one of those people happen to lead you to the Long Island Railroad, do me a favor a smack them because they went the wrong way too.
If you don't wish to ask a native or follow a native, then you are one of the hapless idiots that gum up the works trying to read the signs, like that poor woman from the Slate story. We New Yorkers HATE gawkers, and when you start spinning on your heels with your eyes in the sky trying to decipher whether you needed to take the first flight of stairs (if you are coming from the A C E) or the recessed escalator (if you're coming from the 1 2 3), you become a gawker and you are liable to get yourself shoved and pushed. So please, do yourself a favor, ask or follow, because I'm not going to be sorry if I run you over because you're lost in translation.
I am writing this from the futon in my living room, home on Spring Break.
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