It's a familiar site. A man an emerges from the underground, glances around briefly, and heads off at a brisk pace. Half a block later when the street sign becomes visible, he pivots on his heel. Whoops! Wrong way mister!

Had that guy exited the subway at 42nd Street near Third Avenue; Lexington Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Street; 51st between Lexington and Park; or 53rd between Madison and Park, he would have known exactly which way to go. Because the city of New York, together with the Grand Central Partnership, has affixed large, circular, compass decals to these four locations near Grand Central Station. The gold and black rosettes, 24-inches in diameter, specify north, south, east, and west, and name the closest streets in each direction. This means that if you're staying at the W New York on Lexington Avenue, or the W New York - The Tuscany on 39th Street, walking home from the subway will be a cinch.

If the compasses work well, more will be put in place. Until then, if you're ascending the subway steps in other parts of the city, look around for the Empire State Building to determine north or south; see which way the sun is rising or setting to figure out east and west; or, keep an eye out for someone in a boy scout uniform, and ask if you can take a look at his compass. But seriously, your fellow pedestrian will be more than happy to point you in the right direction, I'm sure. So just go ahead and ask.