The New York City public transportation system has perks (sprawling network of routes, same admission price for every trip) and drawbacks (odd smells, transients, weekend service changes). And while most passengers channel rage in a highly passive-aggressive manner, we prefer something a little more subtle. Please. Jason Shelowitz is granting our wish with a public art campaign launching citywide via a limited run of hand-pulled, four-color screen prints extolling the virtues of Subway Etiquette. They’re visually similar to the ubiquitous flyers posted by the actual MTA, so pay close attention. Three samples and our own warning after the jump.
Personal Space:
Yes, this is America and you are allowed to grow your hair as long as you’d like, but please don’t flip it over your shoulder and let it dangle onto other passengers’ bare skin. Human hair that isn’t attached to one’s own head feels disgusting. While we’re at it, don’t lean your entire person on the poles in the middle of the car, causing everyone else to hold on for dear life and try their best to avoid touching your rump/shoulder/abdomen/cheek. Please.
Bonus link: Read a brief interview with Shelowitz at New York Mag.
Comments (4)
I love it!!
I get the sentiment, but seems condescending and not constructive. Sometimes, I’ve totally been endeared by somebody rapping aloud. I couldn’t possibly excuse groping. That is messed up. But why not empower people instead to directly call out gropers instead of calling them “pervs”, which makes these “pervs” even more pathological or secretive? As much as I like these visually, their content reeks of passive aggression, which compels me to imagine a sign at subway entrances that read, “Please dispose of your passive aggression here, and proceed to stand up for your rights down below.” We live in extreme times. The fabric of our society is pulling apart. We need as a society to treat people with decency and as human beings in order to all prosper.
This seems like common knowledge, sadly, we have to remind certain people how to act. The fabric of our society, if anything is becoming more selfish in personal acts–it’s not too much to ask to think of others while in public space. These at least add an edge of humor to these basic etiqutte reminders! great!
[...] pretty fun public art campaign instructing subway riders on the rules of passenger [...]
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