Darrackodrama t1_j91dtl3 wrote on February 18, 2023 at 2:22 PM

Reply to comment by 3DPrintedCloneOfMyse in I just wanted to ask a girl for directions on the subway, and she absolutely made my day by skyeyemx

Sometimes when you are in a new station and you talk 3 turns and a stairwell to get to street level you forget which way the train was running.

It helps to know if you are standing near an avenue and if there is a subway grate below. That is giveaway for me of north south vs East west and the rest is context

snazztasticmatt t1_j91gfq9 wrote on February 18, 2023 at 2:42 PM

I've said for years that I'm going to print out a bunch of cardinal direction stickers and throw them up on the stairs out of subway stations. Even when I orrient myself against the departing train, it would be so much easier to know that the staircase leads east or west or whatever

57dimensions t1_j92a9c2 wrote on February 18, 2023 at 6:12 PM

Yeah transferring between the L and the F at 14th st always throws me off because of the stair turns, I'm not sure why that station in particular gets me because there aren't even that many staircases, but I always have to triple check I'm getting on the right L train.

photo-smart t1_j92npiv wrote on February 18, 2023 at 7:45 PM

> It helps to know if you are standing near an avenue and if there is a subway grate below. That is giveaway for me of north south vs East west and the rest is context

I feel silly for asking, but how exactly are you orienting yourself based on the avenue and subway grates?

Darrackodrama t1_j93niow wrote on February 19, 2023 at 12:12 AM

For example if there is a subway grate below you and you’re on an avenue you know that train (usually the one you just got off of is running below you depends on the station though)

Then you can look down the block and see if the street number decreases or increases and get a sense of north south if you’re on an avenue !