In a week I turn 30. In 6 months I get married. At some point over the next century, I’ll die.
What these numbers add up to is that it’s time to do me … NOW.
Archive for February, 2010
Don’t think – Yap!
Thursday, February 18th, 2010The Next Step
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010Here are a few things that are clear to me:
- People love to laugh.
- NYC Subways are a place without much laughter.
- Everyone rides the subway! CEOs, writers, athletes, professors, kids, babies, everyone!
- The subway ride can be an uplifting, genuinely fun experience.
- A lot of people out there would love for the subway to be this kind of place.
The question is how to revolutionize our daily commute so it’s not just a few scattered incidents like Improv everywhere or me. Here are some ideas:
1. Build a social networking site – perhaps New Yap City — that allows us to meet other subwayers and track our stories.
2. Train an army of subway interacters who spend subway rides talking to strangers, addressing subway cars, etc.
3. What are your ideas?
10 Ways to Love Your Commute
Monday, February 8th, 2010The NYC subway commute, particularly when traveling alone, is usually a sullen, lonely time. Most people just zone out with music, movies, or reading. Here are some ideas for how to love your commute and brighten other peoples’ day.
1. If you have a newspaper, offer the section you’re not reading to a neighboring passenger.
2. Say Hi to at least three people when you enter the subway or sit. Yes, saying Hi to 1 or 2 people is definitely friendly, but 3 Hellos creates community and a warmer atmosphere. (more…)
Can’t Give It Away
Monday, February 8th, 2010New Yap City
Monday, February 8th, 2010Welcome to New Yap City! We are dedicated to transforming public transportation into a safe space for building community.
While “Yap” sometimes has a negative connotation. We are out to redefine the word. I mean, hey, how else do you create a relationship unless you start talking, particularly on the subway. And in case, you’re wondering why create conversation on the subway, here are some top benefits:
- Professional Networking: Everyone rides the subways: CEOs, movie producers, models, professors, famous writers, etc. You never know who you’re sitting next to unless you say Hi!
- Dating: I’m not talking about hitting on someone — that’s skeezy! Start a conversation, get to know someone you think is interesting. If it becomes a date, great. If not, nothing lost. Is talking in person to a human on the subway any scarier than chatting over the Internet with someone you haven’t even seen with your own eyes?
- New friends: For many of us, our commute is 30-60+ minutes. That’s a lot of time to get to know someone’s interests and see if they’re compatible. Also, often people take the same subway at the same time — wouldn’t it be fun to have a commuting buddy?
- Personal Growth: Meeting new people and putting ourselves out there is great training. Yeah, it’s no fun when we’re rejected or get “crazy person” looks, but it also helps build character and resolve.
What else have you gotten from creating community and conversation on the subway?