BoingBoing's blurb on an article about a woman who let her nine-year-old use NYC public transportation on his own.

Real city kids always impress me -- the confidence with which they use PT and whatnot. Such a contrast to, say, suburban kids using the DC Metro on a field trip. The latter are fearful and unable to read directional signs.

Stepkid sort of understands a city grid, but won't take Capital City buses.