If you live in New York City long enough, you know the dance.

You walk up to the subway turnstile.
You swipe your MetroCard.
It tells you to swipe again.
You swipe again.
It tells you to swipe again — with attitude.

And while you're fighting this little yellow rectangle, the kid behind you — headphones on, iced coffee balanced like a trophy — just taps their phone…

Beep.
Turnstile opens.
Gone.

And you're standing there thinking:

“How do THEY do that? And why can't I?”

If this sounds familiar, keep reading.

A Client Story: The “Kids Do It” Moment

One of my clients — let's call him Frank — said something that made my entire week.

He sat down at his dining table, held up his iPhone, and said:

“Dave, I want to tap into the subway like all the kids do.
No more swiping. No more drama.
How do I get in on this?”

So we set it up during our session.
Calm. Step by step.
Added his card to Apple Wallet.
Made sure tap-to-pay was on.
Practiced the motion — nothing fancy, just holding the phone slowly over an imaginary reader.

He nodded.
He said, “Okay, I think I got it.”

The real test would come later — by himself.

The Text That Made Me Smile

A few hours after I left his apartment, I got a message:

“David — it WORKED!!!
I just tapped into the subway like it was NOTHING.
I feel like one of the kids!”

I could hear the excitement through the phone.

And that’s what it’s all about.
Not the technology.
Not the feature.
Not the iPhone.

It’s that moment when someone realizes:

“I can do this.”

Confidence unlocked.

Why This Matters (More Than Just a Tap)

When seniors ask me to teach them something new in tech, they’re not asking because they want to be modern or trendy.

They’re asking because they want to stay connected.
Stay capable.
Stay part of a city that refuses to slow down.

Frank wasn’t chasing a trend.
He was chasing independence.
He was chasing dignity.
He was chasing that feeling of belonging.

And when he succeeded — alone — the pride hit different.

That’s what Boomernology is truly about:
giving you independence through confidence.

Practical Steps (Explained the Boomernology Way)

If you want to tap into the subway just like he did, here’s how:

1. Open your Wallet app

iPhone → Wallet
Android → Google Wallet
Tap Add Card.

2. Add your credit or debit card

Follow the prompts — just a couple taps.

3. Make sure tap-to-pay is enabled

It usually already is.
If not, it's one switch.

4. At the subway turnstile… slow down

Don’t rush.
Just hold your phone over the OMNY circle.

5. You don’t need to unlock your phone

This surprises everyone —
your phone can stay locked.

6. Wait for the green light + beep

Then walk through like you’ve been doing it since birth.

Encouragement (Because You Deserve It)

If you’ve ever felt behind with tech, here’s something important:

You’re not behind — you’re just learning in a world that changes every five minutes.

Frank tapped through the subway that day because he didn’t give up.
He tried something new.
He gave himself a chance.

And that’s all you need.

One small win.
One little boost.
One moment where the city opens up for you again.

A Little Humor Never Hurts

After his subway victory, Frank texted me again:

“David, if tapping the subway is this easy, what else have I been swiping for no reason all these years?!”

I told him:

“Let’s start with the turnstile, Frank… then we’ll tackle the rest.”

He laughed.
Progress.

Your NYC Tap Moment Awaits

Here’s the truth:

You can learn this.
You can move through this city with confidence.
You can tap into the subway like the kids do —
no stress, no frustration, no embarrassment.

And if you want someone to walk you through it
— slowly, patiently, and in plain language —

That’s exactly what I do.

What’s Your Next Move?

Try tapping the next time you’re at the turnstile.
Show a friend who still swipes. (Frank did — proudly.)

And if you want that same confidence boost,
you can always call, text, or email me.
I’m here when you’re ready.

If you enjoy simple, human-centered tech stories like this,
subscribe to the Boomernology Newsletter —
it’s where I share more real NYC moments just like Frank’s.

Thanks for reading.

And as always, stay connected!

Dave

Client Profile: “Dave, I Just Want to Tap into the Subway Like All the Kids Do.”