1

Stand and face the bear

Image: Robert Thiemann

If a black bear approaches you, stand your ground and face it directly . Never run away from or approach it. The bear is most likely just as surprised as you are and will avoid getting into a fight. If the animal sees that you don’t flee, it will simply walk away looking for an easier, less crowded direction.

2

Appear big

Image: Tristan Frank

A trick often employed in nature by animals and insects that need to deter bigger creatures is to make themselves appear larger by any means necessary. The same tactic should be employed if you encounter a black bear. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, using a coat if you have one at hand.

3

Make some noise

Image: Isabel Lee

No other animal in nature can create noises like a human can. Either screaming at the top of your lungs or banging on a pan, the kind of noise you can produce is extremely startling for almost any animal, including bears, which will leave you alone as soon as they can.

4

Keep bear spray at hand

Image: Michael Anfang

Bear spray is a highly effective deterrent against black bears. If a bear approaches and you have bear spray, don't hesitate to use it . The animal will find the whole ordeal extremely unpleasant and will flee immediately.

5

Fight back

Image: Julia Fiander

In the extremely rare event of a black bear trying to attack you, attempt to escape to a secure location. If escape is not possible, fight back using any available object . Focus your blows on the bear's face and muzzle. Never play dead, as this can encourage the bear to continue its attack.

6

Remove what attracted the bear

Image: Susan Elizabeth Jones

If you have seen a bear near your home or the area where you are staying, be sure to remove whatever attracted them to the location . This could include a used barbecue grill with leftover grease or meat, a bird feeder, unattended pet food, or garbage.

7

Alert your neighbors

Image: Alla Kemelmakher

If you have seen bears or any signs of their presence in your area, alert your neighbors. Even if you have taken the necessary precautions to deter the presence of bears, your neighbors might be doing otherwise if they are not aware of the situation.

8

Keep your pet safe

Image: Camerauthor Photos

If you are in an area where black bears, or any bears, are known to exist, always check for their presence before letting your dog, cat, or any other pet go outside. If a bear is in the vicinity, create a safe, enclosed space where your pet can retreat. If possible, move your pet indoors quickly and calmly, keeping them away from windows or doors where they could attract the bear's attention.

9

Give the bear an escape route

Image: Bruce Warrington

If you encounter a bear in your area, follow the advice mentioned earlier and always make sure to leave an escape route for the bear to leave easily. If the animal feels cornered, there is a much bigger chance of getting into an aggressive situation.

10

Airtight containers

Image: Marcus Urbenz

Make sure to store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or other enclosed storage area. Adding ammonia to trash cans and bags will help reduce odors that attract bears. Also, clean garbage cans with ammonia at least once a week to eliminate residual odors.

Do not store recyclables on a porch or in a screened sunroom, as bears can smell these items and will rip through screens to get to them. Place garbage outside only on the morning of collection, not the night before.

1

Clothing (cheaper)

Image: Nick de Partee

Back in the mid-20th century, average American families spent about 10% to 12% of their household income on clothing. That figure has dropped to around 3%. That is not because people buy fewer clothes but because the prices have dropped significantly over the last decades.

Starting about fifty years ago, most U.S. clothing production moved overseas, where labor costs are lower and production output is higher . Those savings were passed onto consumers, and as fast-fashion brands proliferated, Americans had more options at lower prices than ever before.

2

Magazines (more expensive)

Image: Rhamely

While younger generations will not remember this, 25 years ago, magazines were an Internet of sorts : it was the quickest way to access information and color pictures of any subject you were interested in. Magazines were a ubiquitous item, sold everywhere at modest prices. Since the World Wide Web came along, magazines became less important and less demanded products.

If you have bought magazines lately or have inquired about their price, you might be surprised to discover how pricey these items have become.

3

Bananas (cheaper)

Image: John Vid

Believe it or not, back in the day, bananas used to be quite an expensive fruit. These days, this product is one of the cheapest and most popular fruits in the supermarket but when it first became available in the U.S., following the Civil War, it was sold for about 10 cents a piece — that’s about $3 per banana today.

The price of tropical fruit has hovered between 50 and 60 cents per pound for the last 20 years — a significant drop from its early cost. Despite being imported from faraway places and requiring cooling containers, banana sellers produce only one variety, the Cavendish, meaning the fruit can be harvested in abundant volumes and ripened at the same time .

4

Concert tickets (more expensive)

Image: Nainoa Shizuru

There was a time when going to a concert was a pretty accessible event. The ticket prices were low, even for well-known artists. But then, a couple of big players came along into the business and the prices skyrocketed like never before . Besides the ticket price itself, the service charge and taxes make for a hefty sum, not affordable by everyone anymore.

5

Television sets (cheaper)

Image: Peter Geo

It’s a well-known fact that as technology improves and becomes more efficient, prices come down. However, one consumer electronics category stands out from the rest for its drastic price cuts: televisions. The first color TV set debuted in 1954 with a $1000 price tag , and a 15" screen. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ inflation calculator, that would be more than $11,600 today.

Compare that number to a 65-inch, high-definition smart TV that might cost around $500 in today’s dollars and the price drop is nothing short of amazing.

6

Car insurance (more expensive)

Image: Herson Rodriguez

Car insurance was never the cheapest service in the world, but it used to be a much more accessible price, with options for every pocket. In recent decades, auto insurance premiums have been steadily climbing , making car ownership a more exclusive deal altogether than it used to be.

7

Air flight tickets (cheaper)

Image: Suhyeon Choi

Yes, it may feel like airline ticket prices have surged in recent years due to airport taxes and fuel prices, but if we look at the price evolution over the last decades, we can see that tickets have become much more affordable than before .

Commercial air travel used to be a luxurious experience available only to the wealthy. In 1941, an average flight from Los Angeles to Boston would have cost more than $5,000 in today’s money. These days, a one-way flight from Los Angeles to Boston commonly costs around $300.

8

Fast Food (more expensive)

Image: Kenny Eliason

Getting a burger with fries and a soda for a couple of dollars was a standard deal back in the day, but not anymore. Fast food prices have steadily increased in the last few decades , making the tag for a standard menu almost the same and sometimes even more expensive than a meal at a regular restaurant.

9

Washing machines (cheaper)

Image: engin akyurt

In the same way that TVs have dropped the price, most other appliances have gone down the same path, and washing machines are no exception . These devices, an invaluable addition to modern life, have changed significantly from the 1950s to today.

In 1959, a Kenmore washer was advertised for $209.95. Today, that amount inflates to more than $2,200, which is a $1,600 difference from a basic $500 to $600 top-loading Kenmore machine today.

10

Prescription medicine (more expensive)

Image: Haley Lawrence

Healthcare costs in America have been a complicated problem for years. Not just health insurance but also essential medicines have been raising their prices steadily for a very long time.

It can’t be said that medicines used to be cheap but definitely were far more accessible than these days.

1

"New York, New York" - Frank Sinatra

Image: Adrian Falcon

Of course, when we think of songs about the Big Apple, the first that comes to mind is the iconic "New York, New York," popularized by Frank Sinatra. Perhaps this is because it’s the tune that best captures the essence , resilient spirit, and unwavering magnetism of the city that never sleeps.

It was written in 1977 by John Kander and Fred Ebb as the theme song for New York, New York , a film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro and Liza Minnelli. Minnelli performed the song in the film, but it wasn’t very successful at the time. It was The Voice 's 1980 version that would turn it into the city's unofficial—yet unquestionable—anthem .

2

"Chelsea Hotel #2" - Leonard Cohen

Image: Thought Catalog

The Chelsea Hotel is one of the most emblematic hotels in New York City. Artists such as William S. Burroughs, Bob Dylan, and Chet Baker, among many others, have stayed there. So, it makes perfect sense that some of these stars were inspired by the iconic building to create some of their most famous works.

Such is the case with Leonard Cohen’s "Chelsea Hotel #2," released in 1974. The lyrics not only recount a romantic encounter between the singer-songwriter and Janis Joplin but also capture the city’s bohemian atmosphere at the time.

3

"New York State of Mind" - Billy Joel

Image: Stefano Zocca

In the mid-1970s, after a long stint in Los Angeles, Bronx-born songwriter Billy Joel was terribly missing his hometown. During a return trip to the Big Apple while on tour, the Piano Man wrote his tribute to the city he loved most: "New York State of Mind."

At the time, the song wasn’t even released as a single and went largely unnoticed. However, over time, it became one of Joel’s signature songs . Decades later, the timeless tune would go on to inspire a hip-hop version—the next one on our list.

4

"Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

Image: ian dooley

With its evocative lyrics, Jay-Z’s modern rhythm, and Alicia Keys’ poignant backing vocals, "Empire State of Mind" captures the essence, energy, and resilient spirit of those who inhabit the city of New York. Released in 2009, the song was an instant hit. It achieved commercial success worldwide and has been featured on multiple critics' top 10 lists of best songs.

As mentioned earlier, the song’s title nods not only to Billy Joel’s "New York State of Mind," but also to rapper Nas’s 1994 single "N.Y. State of Mind."

5

"Autumn in New York" - Billie Holiday

Image: Josh Couch

Did you know that the famous "Autumn in New York" was originally conceived as a poem rather than a song? Its composer, Vernon Duke, wrote it in 1934 while vacationing in Westport, Connecticut, and added the music sometime later. Since then, many artists have recorded their own renditions, including Frank Sinatra, who helped popularize it in 1949.

But perhaps the version that best conveys the haunting melancholy of this iconic jazz standard is Billie Holiday’s, recorded in 1952. With her deep, raspy voice, the Angel of Harlem (see the next song on our list) delivers this love letter to the Empire City like no one else.

6

"Angel of Harlem" - U2

Image: The New York Public Library

"Angel of Harlem," a 1988 single by the Irish band U2, alludes to several New York City landmarks but is also a heartfelt tribute to Billie Holiday.

According to Bono, the song was inspired by the band’s first trip to the Big Apple . When they landed at JFK Airport, a limousine picked them up, and the driver had the radio tuned to Lady Day’s voice. They were so captivated by her sound that they couldn’t help but compose a song in honor of one of the city’s most influential musical figures.

7

"Englishman in New York" – Sting

Image: George Bakos

Bono wasn’t the only foreign artist who was inspired by the Empire City to pen a song. In the late 1980s, Sting released the single "Englishman in New York" as part of his second solo album after the dissolution of The Police. The song quickly became a global hit.

The "Englishman" in question is Sting’s friend, British writer and LGBTQ+ icon Quentin Crisp, who had recently relocated to New York. The singer-songwriter said that the different musical references in the song seek to capture the mood of someone walking down the street and listening to different styles, representing what it's like to walk around New York.

8

"Chelsea Morning" - Joni Mitchell

Image: Dan Braga

One of the most celebrated voices in American folk music, Joni Mitchell, wrote this song about her apartment in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. The song was inspired by the colorful reflections that danced on her walls when sunlight filtered through a mobile made of colored glass she had found in the street.

"Chelsea Morning" is part of her second album Clouds from 1969. Her sweet voice, merry acoustic guitar chords, and hopeful lyrics convey the deep emotions of the hippie lifestyle of a young woman living in 1960s New York.

9

"The Only Living Boy in New York" – Simon & Garfunkel

Image: Camila Fernández

Many songs about New York City explore the loneliness of living in a vast metropolis—and "The Only Living Boy in New York" is no exception. Paul Simon wrote the track when his musical partner, Art Garfunkel, left him behind in the city to film a movie in Mexico.

The song is part of the duo's fifth studio album, Bridge over Troubled Water released in 1970. The song blends bittersweet lyrics with a gentle, introspective melody. Its themes of solitude and longing have resonated with many over the years, inspiring a variety of heartfelt covers by artists who connected with its quiet sorrow.

10

"New York City Serenade" – Bruce Springsteen

Image: Danny Lyon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

While Bruce Springsteen is known for being a New Jersey native, his prolific career also allowed him to write about the city across the Hudson River. "New York City Serenade" is part of the 1973 album The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle , considered by some critics to be one of the greatest albums in rock n' roll history.

The song tells the tormented love story of Billy and Diamonds Jackie as they wander the dark streets of Gotham in the 1970s. Blending Springsteen’s signature suburban rock with elements of jazz and gospel , "New York City Serenade" is one of his most atmospheric and musically ambitious pieces—a sprawling homage to the city’s grit, soul, and romance.

11

"Rhapsody in Blue" – George Gershwin

Image: rosanna17

Although it has no lyrics, we can all agree that this composition is a true musical portrait of 20th-century New York City. Written by George Gershwin in 1924, the piece blends classical tradition with jazz-inflected flourishes, capturing the vibrant, chaotic spirit of the Big Apple in full swing.

The speed and rhythm of the tune perfectly reflect the frenetic life of one of the world's greatest metropolises. "Rhapsody in Blue" is so quintessentially New York that even Woody Allen used it for the opening sequence of his film Manhattan alongside gorgeous vistas of the most iconic locations and buildings in the city.

12

"Downtown Train" – Tom Waits

Image: Erik Calonius, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

You may know this song best from Rod Stewart’s 1989 hit version, but "Downtown Train" was originally written and performed by Tom Waits for his 1985 album Rain Dogs . Without leaving behind his jazz and blues influences —and his trademark avant-garde style—this tune has an unmistakable pop touch.

Set against the backdrop of New York’s restless nightlife, the song paints a wistful portrait of longing and unattainable love—particularly for the elusive Brooklyn girls. Through his gravelly voice and poetic imagery, Waits cements his place as one of the great modern chroniclers of the Big Apple .