No, you cannot pull a rabbit out of a subway car

Far beneath the city that never sleeps lies another world filled with entertainment beyond belief.  The free acts found on the New York City subway system could literally keep one occupied with song and dance for hours on end.  From the standard guitar player and gutsy break dancer to the bizarre 6-piece mariachi band or exotic Chinese erhu; these "artists" tend to enter a train car unnoticed then all of the sudden start to peddle their wares for the merriment, and hopefully pocket change, of weary travelers.  I thought I had seen it all until my friend sent along photos of a full blown magic act happening on the 6 train during her morning commute.  We're not talking pulling quarters out of a stranger's ear or a never-ending line of colorful scarves- oh no, that's all too mundane for Manhattanites!  Let's pull out the big guns, shall we?  The real bucks are made when there are live animals involved, in this case the infamous white rabbit.  Poor rabbit, had no idea what he was getting himself into when staring at this guy with big brown eyes from behind the glass at the local Petsmart. The subway holds a tough crowd, at least now the rabbit has a better chance to make it on Broadway after all of this practice.

No, you cannot pretend to go global

New York City is well known for being a melting pot; you can stroll down one city block and identify at least 10 separate candidates to star in "It's a Small World".  While walking through the Times Square subway station (don't ask) I came across a special little barber shop where one can get their hair did while waiting for a train.  I almost passed right by without a second thought until something peculiar caught my eye.  A poster hanging squarely in the front window boasts 30 popular hairstyle choices for men and boys.  Not just any old hairstyles, oh no, but "International".  I may not be the most worldly person but something tells me this does not qualify for international status.  Either the barber knows only one medium or they are promoting segregation; either way, I'd recommend taking that down.

No, you cannot panhandle in public

Manhattan is full of panhandlers; if you've ever walked down Canal Street you can clearly vouch for this statement.  Usually though, the realistic fakes are hidden behind a door, down an alley, past the hanging chickens, up a dark stairwell- three knocks and a whistle later you'll find yourself a Pucci purse for a 1/4 of the real thing.  While walking through Herald Square last weekend my afternoon stroll was interrupted by a block worth of bag thieves and a gaggle of tourists aiding them in breaking the law.  Purses were sprawled out all over sheets on the side of 6th avenue; the unassuming travelers didn't stand a chance.  Who can pass up a counterfeit handbag that has been massaged with the scent of car emissions and splashed with the omnipresent trash juice of New York City?  A housewife from Iowa surely cannot.

No, you cannot ignore a dirty diaper

How many times have you seen a mother changing her child in an inappropriate public location?  I'm talking airplane seat cushion, park bench, movie theater...yes I've seen them all.  Sadly I passed by the ultimate offense recently- changing via New York City sidewalk.  Sure, the mother put down a blanket and even had the decency to also sit on the ground so the child didn't feel they were the only one contracting diseases at a rapid pace.  I'm going out on a limb here and assuming that there was a Starbucks nearby with a perfectly usable public bathroom, free changing table included.  Instead, she gave no less than 100 passerbys a reason to call her the worst mother of the year.  Congrats!