City Diary, July 2026

A comic about breaking a cardinal rule of riding the New York City subway

Art description: A two-page diary comic about an encounter on a New York City subway in which Connie meets another Connie. Titled "City Diary, July 2026," by Connie Sun.

I met another Connie on the train and broke the cardinal rule of the riding the New York City subway: Keep to yourself and don’t bother strangers.

In a city this big, there are too people to just go around making small talk with everyone you see. We keep pleasantries to a minimum, out of respect for each other’s space and energy. I don’t mind that and have learned over many years that it’s best to mind your own business as a social protocol, unless asked to intervene or there’s an emergency. That’s the only time New Yorkers will spring into action.

So I wrestled with breaking the rule, but decided to just be human and take a chance. I kept it brief and, in the end, forgave myself for interrupting her commute. Sometimes it’s worthwhile to break a rule or two.

Thanks for reading and being here.

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