I’m surprisingly pleased that so many people were communicating, reading highbrow books, making appointments or bettering themselves on their phones. It gives me faith that not everyone is constantly doom scrolling. Great survey! Keep em coming.
I can never concentrate when on the train. I love watching the scenery fly by. My favorite part of riding the train into Chicago (not a NY resident) is seeing people's backyards as we go by. It tells you a lot about someone. And when I'm in the city, the El gives great views into people's apartments. That's even better. I imagine there's not much of that underground for y'all.
Justin, there are a lot of Els in the outerboroughs and its just like what you describe. Although most are go down the middle of commercial streets, there are some where you can see into everyone's windows and backyards and yes it is fascinating!
I do have people recognize me on the train now and then Eden, but I have yet to randomly survey someone who is a reader. That would be so great! Especially if it was YOU!
I read this in my doctor's waiting room, because I've got some weird balance issue at the moment, which might be my inner ear. So hello, lady on the train who was texting her boyfriend about her balance problem!
Once, I was getting a long distance train in the UK and the guy in front of me had really loud music blasting out of his phone. I was leaning forwards between the seats to say something when I spotted what was on his screen - a reel of animals... "Doing the do", shall we say. I left him to it..... :-/
And here I was thinking "doing the do" meant pooping..I don't know what would be a more disturbing genre to witness somebody entertaining themselves with.
This was interesting. I’m much too anxious not to stay totally alert on public transport, but it’s also (mostly) great to watch life unwind as you ride. The strangest thing I ever saw was a lady volunteer to be robbed of her work phone. Some kids had snatched a guy’s phone and started running off the train when her arm shot out and she yelled, “take it!” I thought she was having a panic attack or something but she showed me her other phone and said, “I’m fine, that’s my work phone. I will sleep tonight.”
There is a Buddhist practice Marina, maybe you know of it, but if someone steals something from you, you mentally offer it to them as a gift so they don't suffer the bad karma of their wrong deed. Lucky kid!
I would have been staring too. I’d be afraid I’d miss my stop if I was reading— I hyper focus and lose track of time— so I would relax and enjoy my alone time.
In another newsletter, I read about someone missing their stop by several stations and knowing it, because they couldn’t tear themselves away from the book they were reading. It is This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud, which I ended up buying on kindle, all because of this person’s experience on the subway. Maybe one day hopefully, you’ll catch me reading it on the train too😊
As a big fan of public transit, I found this newsletter especially delightful (not that they all aren’t delightful, but I really could relate to this one). I was also delighted to learn how many people were reading books on the subway. Question: unless I missed it, did you happen to notice how many people (if any) were reading books on a Kindle or E reader rather than on a phone screen? I’m curious to know. As for sharing my own transit story, I never look at my phone when I’m riding the Los Angeles Metro. You have to keep your eyes open and your wits about you. That’s all I’m gonna say. The Paris Metro is my favorite train system, because they have espresso vending machines on the platform! Looking forward to your follow up to this story!
Yes, I specifically saw three people on Kindles, Laura! Not sure why I left that out.
Wow, espresso vending machines. There is one stop on the Q train on the upper east side which has a full-fledged cafe right on the platform. I'd much rather have this than wireless in all the tunnels. The MTA needs to get its priorities straight!
The thing that struck me looking at your photographs was the thing that strikes me every time - how do NY subway passengers concentrate on anything when they have to sit on hard looking plastic seats, and what does it do your bum/butt muscles? Me, whether bus, tram or train, I people watch. Maybe the 55% were not staring into space. They were people watching. Great piece as always and congrats on pulling in more paying subscribers. I can imagine a ‘bring your own party when you get your 1,000th. Tenacity is the word and you have bucket loads. 🐰
The seats are more comfy than they look, O L O. In fact I don't think I've ever experienced not feeling comfortable on the subway. At least not fanny-wise.
I saw some old black and white photo floating around FB of the NYC subway where everyone in the photo riding that subway car is reading a paper newspaper and ignoring everyone else, with a caption underneath that said, “Not a phone in sight, everyone living in the moment.”
If I lived in NY my top train activity would be wondering what the other passengers are doing on their phones (or just thinking about, in general) so this was like catnip for me. Great issue!
Your consistent quality always brings a smile. A quick observation based mostly on the fact that NYC provides the widest range of human benavior I can think of. The last time I remember ANYONE drinking grape soda was when Faygo was a thing. I can't believe grape soda/pop/tonic is still available. Maybe this is the value of a bodega? Only on the subway I guess. Let us know if you see someone eating a TV dinner with molten apple dessert.
Mr. Dolan, when I was a kid, grape soda was by far my favorite. I wasn't allowed soda except on special occasions (field trips) and a can of Welches with my PB&J was HEAVEN. (There's that gate of heaven again!)
I do believe they are still standard at bodegas. I'll have a look for you. And will keep an eye out for subway TV dinners as well.
Not much pop for me these days (people lie though). My legacy pop is orange crush, especially as a float if they are out of root beer or birch beer. I think I may have had grape pop MAYBE once in my life. PB&J is a simpler time for sure. I prefer PB no J :) It seems to me that my mom liked ginger ale (Vernor's). We didn't have pop very often either. It sounds like you and I had a hardscrabble life as children :)
Also, how many people were on their phones with the sound on? I've noticed more and more of this recently. I am trying to come up with a way to kindly let these people know that they're breaking the limited and short bonds that hold NYC's collective sanity together.
Sachi, I finally had a gander at the Masstransiscope when I did my 24 hours in the subway adventure (lord knows I needed things to do.) It's pretty cool but its very easy to miss—it goes by fast!
I think I saw maybe a half-dozen people on their phones with the sound on. Echos of when folks used to board the train with their boom boxes and play their tracks full blast!
the working woman who cherishes the time on subway ride as the one place where she gets to be alone with thoughts deserves a story of her own....a courageous one of doing for others enduring
your work has never been in awe of "celebrity" culture....this
nagging sense that every time someone "famous" dies we have to drag up every ennobling detail when every day regular people exit stage left deserving of so VERY much more respect attention never get a slight nod (but LOTS of campaign contribution requests) 🤔😉😵💫
I’m surprisingly pleased that so many people were communicating, reading highbrow books, making appointments or bettering themselves on their phones. It gives me faith that not everyone is constantly doom scrolling. Great survey! Keep em coming.
I was upside-surprised too, Toni! Thanks for your kind words!
I can never concentrate when on the train. I love watching the scenery fly by. My favorite part of riding the train into Chicago (not a NY resident) is seeing people's backyards as we go by. It tells you a lot about someone. And when I'm in the city, the El gives great views into people's apartments. That's even better. I imagine there's not much of that underground for y'all.
Justin, there are a lot of Els in the outerboroughs and its just like what you describe. Although most are go down the middle of commercial streets, there are some where you can see into everyone's windows and backyards and yes it is fascinating!
I dream of a day when I run into you on the streets/subway and get to take part in one of your social polls. It's bound to happen one day!
I do have people recognize me on the train now and then Eden, but I have yet to randomly survey someone who is a reader. That would be so great! Especially if it was YOU!
I read this in my doctor's waiting room, because I've got some weird balance issue at the moment, which might be my inner ear. So hello, lady on the train who was texting her boyfriend about her balance problem!
Once, I was getting a long distance train in the UK and the guy in front of me had really loud music blasting out of his phone. I was leaning forwards between the seats to say something when I spotted what was on his screen - a reel of animals... "Doing the do", shall we say. I left him to it..... :-/
Now I've got to know what the soundtrack is for animal fornication reels.
Good luck with your ear thing Helen!
Sort out loud euphoric rock, I think it was!
And thank you - the doc thinks I've got labyrinthitis. Hoping this means I meet David Bowie as the Goblin King.
I’m sorry to hear you have this health issue, but wow at least it’s got the coolest name! 🍀
It sounds very exciting and mysterious, doesn't it?!
*"sort of", sorry, not "sort out"!
And am not "liking" you having labyrinthitis, of course. Hope it passes quickly!
Thank you!
And here I was thinking "doing the do" meant pooping..I don't know what would be a more disturbing genre to witness somebody entertaining themselves with.
This was interesting. I’m much too anxious not to stay totally alert on public transport, but it’s also (mostly) great to watch life unwind as you ride. The strangest thing I ever saw was a lady volunteer to be robbed of her work phone. Some kids had snatched a guy’s phone and started running off the train when her arm shot out and she yelled, “take it!” I thought she was having a panic attack or something but she showed me her other phone and said, “I’m fine, that’s my work phone. I will sleep tonight.”
There is a Buddhist practice Marina, maybe you know of it, but if someone steals something from you, you mentally offer it to them as a gift so they don't suffer the bad karma of their wrong deed. Lucky kid!
I didn’t know that one, thanks! My practice consists primarily of reminding myself to practice. :/
I would have been staring too. I’d be afraid I’d miss my stop if I was reading— I hyper focus and lose track of time— so I would relax and enjoy my alone time.
Good point, CK. The truth is I miss my stop because I am reading ALL THE TIME!
There’s another interview. How many people miss their stop because of distractions. Hehe.
In another newsletter, I read about someone missing their stop by several stations and knowing it, because they couldn’t tear themselves away from the book they were reading. It is This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud, which I ended up buying on kindle, all because of this person’s experience on the subway. Maybe one day hopefully, you’ll catch me reading it on the train too😊
Okay, now I'm putting this in my library holds, Raquel!
As a big fan of public transit, I found this newsletter especially delightful (not that they all aren’t delightful, but I really could relate to this one). I was also delighted to learn how many people were reading books on the subway. Question: unless I missed it, did you happen to notice how many people (if any) were reading books on a Kindle or E reader rather than on a phone screen? I’m curious to know. As for sharing my own transit story, I never look at my phone when I’m riding the Los Angeles Metro. You have to keep your eyes open and your wits about you. That’s all I’m gonna say. The Paris Metro is my favorite train system, because they have espresso vending machines on the platform! Looking forward to your follow up to this story!
Yes, I specifically saw three people on Kindles, Laura! Not sure why I left that out.
Wow, espresso vending machines. There is one stop on the Q train on the upper east side which has a full-fledged cafe right on the platform. I'd much rather have this than wireless in all the tunnels. The MTA needs to get its priorities straight!
The thing that struck me looking at your photographs was the thing that strikes me every time - how do NY subway passengers concentrate on anything when they have to sit on hard looking plastic seats, and what does it do your bum/butt muscles? Me, whether bus, tram or train, I people watch. Maybe the 55% were not staring into space. They were people watching. Great piece as always and congrats on pulling in more paying subscribers. I can imagine a ‘bring your own party when you get your 1,000th. Tenacity is the word and you have bucket loads. 🐰
The seats are more comfy than they look, O L O. In fact I don't think I've ever experienced not feeling comfortable on the subway. At least not fanny-wise.
And thank you for the encouragement!
I saw some old black and white photo floating around FB of the NYC subway where everyone in the photo riding that subway car is reading a paper newspaper and ignoring everyone else, with a caption underneath that said, “Not a phone in sight, everyone living in the moment.”
Ha, that's true. But at least you can see what they are reading.
I think headphones are the worst, though, because they really cut you off.
More evidence books are alive and well. Excellent news.
Said the book writer...
Hopefully you'll bump into somebody reading LEVERAGE the next time you do this!
If I lived in NY my top train activity would be wondering what the other passengers are doing on their phones (or just thinking about, in general) so this was like catnip for me. Great issue!
That's great to hear, Nathaniel!
Peeking over a fellow passenger's phone is for sure a common NYC subway activity, of course—and a bit of a combat sport!
Your consistent quality always brings a smile. A quick observation based mostly on the fact that NYC provides the widest range of human benavior I can think of. The last time I remember ANYONE drinking grape soda was when Faygo was a thing. I can't believe grape soda/pop/tonic is still available. Maybe this is the value of a bodega? Only on the subway I guess. Let us know if you see someone eating a TV dinner with molten apple dessert.
Mr. Dolan, when I was a kid, grape soda was by far my favorite. I wasn't allowed soda except on special occasions (field trips) and a can of Welches with my PB&J was HEAVEN. (There's that gate of heaven again!)
I do believe they are still standard at bodegas. I'll have a look for you. And will keep an eye out for subway TV dinners as well.
Not much pop for me these days (people lie though). My legacy pop is orange crush, especially as a float if they are out of root beer or birch beer. I think I may have had grape pop MAYBE once in my life. PB&J is a simpler time for sure. I prefer PB no J :) It seems to me that my mom liked ginger ale (Vernor's). We didn't have pop very often either. It sounds like you and I had a hardscrabble life as children :)
The kids these days are calling doing nothing on a commute "raw-dogging"
I read about bros doing this on long aeroplane fights too, Mr. Clemenstein!
I was going to mention the raw-dogging trend. It's insane!
I'm always on my phone on the subway. I've never seen the Masstransiscope from DeKalb. I always get on my phone and forget to look. Since you won't be on your phone on the train in the coming weeks, check out the art for me! https://viewing.nyc/learn-all-about-masstransiscope-the-hidden-artwork-viewable-only-from-manhattan-bound-q-train/#google_vignette
Also, how many people were on their phones with the sound on? I've noticed more and more of this recently. I am trying to come up with a way to kindly let these people know that they're breaking the limited and short bonds that hold NYC's collective sanity together.
Sachi, I finally had a gander at the Masstransiscope when I did my 24 hours in the subway adventure (lord knows I needed things to do.) It's pretty cool but its very easy to miss—it goes by fast!
I think I saw maybe a half-dozen people on their phones with the sound on. Echos of when folks used to board the train with their boom boxes and play their tracks full blast!
Yes I thought it was sad that no one was praying.
Maybe all the staring into space people are praying!
the working woman who cherishes the time on subway ride as the one place where she gets to be alone with thoughts deserves a story of her own....a courageous one of doing for others enduring
I thought about that too, Mr. King. Guessing that's she's got a lot going on with the job and at home.
your work has never been in awe of "celebrity" culture....this
nagging sense that every time someone "famous" dies we have to drag up every ennobling detail when every day regular people exit stage left deserving of so VERY much more respect attention never get a slight nod (but LOTS of campaign contribution requests) 🤔😉😵💫