Home Asides Link: A blunt subway etiquette campaign

Link: A blunt subway etiquette campaign

by Benjamin Kabak

One of the more irksome parts of riding the subways in New York City are all the other people. Now, I don’t mean that in a curmudgeonly loner sort of way; rather, I mean that in the sense of proper etiquette. From folks who can’t lower their iPod volume to those unaware that in front of doors isn’t the best place to stand, the New York subways are home to some of the most egregious etiquette violations in the city, and no amount of announcements telling us that courtesy is contagious will change that.

If gentle reminders do not work, what about a more direct approach that speaks to New Yorkers on a baser level? That’s what Streeter Seidell has proposed in his latest effort. The PSAs are laden with profanity so click through at your own risk. The messages, though, are universal. Your bag does not needs its own seat in the subway, and you really shouldn’t leave your half-empty Snapple bottle on the platform. And really, folks, take your MetroCard out before you reach the turnstile. [StreeterSeidell.com]

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10 comments

Alek April 25, 2012 - 8:14 pm

Off the topic:

Benjamin, did you contact the MTA about J/Z fastrack?

I was thinking of this if the Bleecker/Layfette connection would be open.

J trains terminates at Essex,

Special 6 service extended to Bowling Green (some weekends G.O did this) so people won’t have to bother transferring to the 4 @ brooklyn bridge.

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Andrew April 25, 2012 - 8:40 pm

Do you know something about poor track conditions between Essex and Broad?

Weren’t both of the tracks replaced between Canal and Essex less than ten years ago? (The northbound one definitely was – not sure about southbound.)

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Terratalk April 25, 2012 - 9:57 pm

On topic: Profanity aside, the link had some hysterical (and very true) points to make … I for one have been “nailed” by a bookbag several times (come on, I know I’m short but really, I’m not invisible!) and have met the ol’ spreadeagle 1-1/2 seater quite a few times (I just sit anyway … they’re not spreadeagle for long … LOL!) Thanx for the laugh, Ben!

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Kid Twist April 26, 2012 - 9:28 am

So we should comabt rudeness with … rudeness?

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Eric April 26, 2012 - 9:50 am

It’s the New York way.

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Alex C April 26, 2012 - 12:54 pm

Because pigs don’t respond to being nice, unfortunately.

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Ferdinand Cesarano April 26, 2012 - 4:57 pm

Another one one is: don’t exit through the emergency door. That LOUD ALARM that you hear, that is a clue that you shouldn’t be doing this, fool!

(I seriously don’t understand why people do this. Unlike the other things mentioned, all of which are unacceptably rude, going through the emergency exit brings no real benefit to the person doing it.)

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ajedrez April 27, 2012 - 10:43 am

It’s easier than squeezing through a turnstile and possibly having to wait for the person on the opposite side to swipe in.

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Alex C April 27, 2012 - 4:32 pm

It’s also needlessly loud, especially late at night at elevated stations in suburban areas.

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petey April 26, 2012 - 5:21 pm

it’s excellent. asking f’king ‘holes not to swear in front of children is a nice touch.

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