20 Things New Yorkers are Most Afraid Of

This Halloween I’m not going to talk about ghosts and ghouls (although New York has its fair share of ghost stories). Instead, I’m going to share some things that are far spookier and strike fear in the heart of every New Yorker. Reader beware: here are 20 things New Yorkers are most afraid of!

• Being pushed onto the subway tracks.

Unfortunately, one of the most plausible fears.

• Having a bedbug infestation.

• Getting hit in the face by a showtime performer.

• Falling through a cellar or a sidewalk grate.

• The subway tunnel under the East River collapsing as your train is traveling through it.

• The B, D, N, or Q train derailing while on the Manhattan Bridge.

• The doors opening on the wrong side of the subway car while you’re leaning on them.

• Being trapped on the same subway car as the crazy lady who thinks it’s okay to release live insects on the train.

True story.

• Having the sidewalk beneath you give out, dropping you into a nasty pit of rats.

Another true story.

• Having to wait more than 20 minutes for the next train or bus.

• Missing your stop because the bus or train is so crowded that people can’t/won’t move out of your way.

• Summer blackouts.

• Losing a rent-controlled apartment.

• Being crushed by falling scaffolding or an unsecured air conditioner.

• Mysterious air conditioner liquid falling from the sky into your eyes/mouth.

• Having a rat crawl up your toilet… while you’re sitting on it.

• Getting rained on by the even more mysterious subway liquid.

• Being trapped in a conversation with a volunteer from Amnesty International/Greenpeace/insert do-good organization with the only way out being signing up to give them monthly donations.

• A nearsighted pigeon flying into your face.

• Being priced out of your neighborhood.

Did this list leave you with chills too? What do you think of these things New Yorkers are most afraid of? Let me know which thing would be your worst NYC nightmare in the comments section! 

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