Pantslessness Provokes Negative Commentary

On January 11, 2015, more than 4000 people globally celebrated the annual No Pants Subway Ride and rode subways pantsless. Although it was meant to be a carefree and silly action, some have responded with negative comments toward the participants in this event.

Participants in the No Pants Subway Ride wear normal clothing such as winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. The only unusual thing is that they lack pants. Participants nonchalantly go about their normal routines and behave as if they do not know each other. Despite their lack of pants, it is a normal day like any other.

The first event was held in August of 2001. Improv Everywhere, a New York-based comedic performance art group, stood in a subway cart not wearing any pants. With its slogan of “We cause scenes,” Improv Everywhere has pursued silliness all over the world ever since.

This year, people in over 60 cities including Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, Beijing, and New York bore the cold climate and strutted down the subway system. Some people believe this event is hilarious, yet there are those who do not understand the reason behind this event and think it unnecessary and ridiculous for the public to allow this to happen.

According to the Weather Network, a representative from a subway station in Romania said, “The Metrorex subway managers said Friday that those ‘who disturb public order or are indecent will be fined,’ and reported to the police.”

Comments about the No Pants Subway Ride also went viral on social media. On Twitter, user Britta Schellenberg (@MizzBritta) posted, “Who thought of doing the no pants subway ride in January… But furthermore, who thought of participating? #NoPantsSubwayRide.”

Another user, Molly Thawwwtin (@mollydragon), shared, “The no pants subway ride is the definition of why I refuse to take public transportation in this city.”

Jinna Oh, a junior at New Covenant Academy, was there at the scene and updated her Snapchat story with a video of people walking around the LA Metro station with no pants on. According to Oh, when asked why they were not wearing pants, participants simply answered that they forgot them.

“It was really weird. It wasn’t even like 30 people,” she told JSR. “I saw over 50 people with no pants on. If this gets covered on the media, I don’t want people to think it’s okay. I don’t think it’s appropriate and I don’t want it to be a trend.”

Although there have been objections to the negative responses defending the amusement and light-heartedness this event provides, others would prefer not to see subway riders in their underwear.

“Sure, it’s unconventional. But people should have manners and recognize that showing undergarments may not be a good message to the youth,” concluded Oh.