There exists a school of thought that regards Penn Station as the absolute worst place in New York City.
However, other New Yorkers often claim Times Square is, somehow, even worse.
While the Times Square area may have some redeeming qualities (some decent Broadway shows within the vicinity, for instance), it is difficult not to agree with this.
Some of the worst experiences you ever have as a New Yorker go down right here in this special circle of Hell on Earth. Here are just a few craptastic reasons why Times Square is ACTUALLY the worst place in NYC.
1. There are tourists. Everywhere.
Let's just start off with the most obvious one, shall we?
Times Square is crawling with herds of tourists at all hours of the day, the majority of which have not yet mastered the whole "stay to the right if you're going to walk slow" thing, and take up the entire sidewalk as they try to snap pictures of the giant billboards.
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You are forced to use your elbows as a makeshift machete, swatting away incoming Forever 21 shopping bags in order to make your way through the crowd and GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE.
2. The prices are ridiculous
Just when you thought New York couldn't get pricier, you open up a menu at T.G.I. Friday's to discover that they charge a whopping $25 for a burger that is probably at least 30% non-FDA approved meat.
Why the hell would you pay that much money when you can get a sandwich at the bodega for like $2.50?
3. Those terrifying characters walking around
On the surface it may seem that these fuzzy creatures exist for the delight of passing children and their families, but most of the time they're just straight up terrifying.
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Not to mention, they make a habit of scamming tourists for money.
4. It's home to Port Authority
Beautiful, immaculate, majestic...these are words no one should ever use to describe Times Square's infamous bus terminal, Port Authority.
If Penn Station is the armpit of NYC, then Port Authority is the butthole of NYC. Need I say more? Just avoid. At all costs.
,5. New Year's Eve madness
Although the thought of being trapped in the sea of drunken celebrants with no access to food, water, or a restroom for hours on end sounds to you like the definition of literal hell, each year hundreds of thousands of people seem to think it's a swell idea.
[anad]
God help you if you need to get anywhere near Midtown on December 31st.
The aftermath isn't any better - mass amounts of confetti and, let's be honest, probably a lot of people's urine, litters the streets of Times Square the day after the new year. Charming.
6. Annoying solicitors
You certainly have no interest in some horrendous and overpriced comedy show happening tonight, and although you've shaken your head and kept on walking, they insist on continuing to shove pamphlets in your face anyway.
7. Garbage
New York City is definitely far from pristine nearly anywhere you go, but the percentage of street garbage is especially high in Times Square.
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You are frequently forced to dodge piles of empty McDonald's wrappers as you're sprinting your way through (and hopefully on your way out of) this hellhole.
8. Selfie-sticks
We get going to the drive-thru rather than going into a restaurant to get food. We understand going to the ATM rather than wait in line just to talk to a bank teller.
But have we really gotten to a place in our society where we can no longer even muster the energy to ask a stranger to take a photo of us?
And also, you just look ridiculous.
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[Feature Image Courtesy of New York Post]