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The product of communicating with subway patrons
Fun fact: almost half of my good friends in my new home town of Chicago were randomly made on the subway. How did I meet them? By randomly striking up a conversation. I'm one of the few people on the planet that doesn't think that it's strange to communicate with people on the train, whether this is with a smile, some polite conversation or a shared laugh -- as it turns out, there are a lot of interesting people out there. Perhaps that's why I travel so much.
There's an interesting youtube video making its way around the interwebs right now that well-illustrates my line of thought. A guy named Luke Rudkowski spent some time meeting and interviewing random passengers on the New York subway, and in the process pulled some pretty interesting stories and opinions out of everyday passengers. With so many commuters stacked so close to one another each day, it's amazing that these stories don't more often intersect.
Filed under: North America, United States, Video, Transportation, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Fifi Apr 2nd 2011 6:37AM
The first and only time I ever passed out was on the NYC subway at rush hour. Complete strangers picked me up off the floor, got up from their coveted seats so I could have it, and a lady I never met before got off the subway with me (instead of at her own stop) to walk with me to my boyfriend to make sure I was OK. This is only one of many stories of compassion, grace, generosity and love I have experienced in NYC. It is a different sort of care and helpfulness than say, for example, in the south where I now live, but it is everywhere. I love NY.
jeanette Apr 2nd 2011 7:43AM
i'm a nevv yorker and i thank you for that story. vve are a big, impersonal city but i believe that vve step to the plate vvhen it's necessary to help. thks. again
pgrlights Apr 2nd 2011 8:34AM
good for you fifi
Damian Apr 2nd 2011 9:50AM
Thats great Fifi ... Good story!
We need more "Good" stories out there ...
Damian J.
CODY Apr 2nd 2011 11:21AM
Often visitors believe New Yorkers, especially on the subway, ignore them. What we believe here is in a sense of giving personal space. And New York looks monolithic but it's actually made up of conjoined neighborhoods. Nowhere else have I seen people from so many backgrounds speaking hundreds of languages get along, and never hesitate to help if you ask directions or feel ill. You will find generous help everywhere. It takes a while to understand, but permitting anonymity is sacrosanct; however, if you're in need, New Yorkers -- as proved by 9/11 -- will be there for you. This city is unique.
Dunk Apr 2nd 2011 11:51AM
Fifi, did you shed on the subway seat? Did anyone groom you or give you a biscuit?
kip Apr 2nd 2011 12:53PM
That was a wonderful story of your experience. I truly think that most people are helpful. Thank you for sharing.
FredStripe Apr 2nd 2011 1:01PM
I am a retired inner city cop.No gun. I was on the subway recently and saw this guy watching and following this girl real close. I took a connection,so did she and so did he. She was oblivious,but trust me he couldnt take his eyes off her and was hiding behind pillars. My point is,there are New Yorkers out there that would and do help. We have wives and girlfriends too.
goldengolfball Apr 2nd 2011 7:19AM
This was a very well done film. All people when in the basics af life are the same, they sometimes laugh and sometimes cry, but I think the everybody just wants to live free have a job that supports them and there family. People will help each other when put in a position that they have. I always thought that if people lived all year the way they do at Christmas this would be a better world to live. But one thing this film also shows is that you can be surrounded by hundreds of people and still be alone. So go out today and do what you do everyday, but, take one person and smile at them and say good morning. They and you will feel better
grec Apr 2nd 2011 7:20AM
I do this on the trolley and bus in SD,CA and I thought I was the only one. I am from Northern California Originally so for me I have found people down here are just like LA without the $$$$. SD is a beautiful place, but people here are a "JOKE" and so full of themselves and CRAP that every day you see someone who is more pathetic than the last. you do find a "REAL" nice + friendly one every year or so. I am not KIDDING. I moved to a townhouse in an average place. THE ENTIRE TIME I AND MY BUDDY LIVED THERE WE met 1 guy a marine from FLA + his wife. Everyone else won't look at you, don't want to be social + just want to run to their phone + have sex with IT I GUESS. Pretty SAD HUH ????
Robbie Apr 3rd 2011 1:28AM
What parts of South Dakota and California were you living in?
Eddie Apr 2nd 2011 7:21AM
This man has a lot of guts, I'll say that. I live in SoCal, but I go to NY every other year to watch the Yankees, and I use the trains to get around. It's true that once you're in the car, no one talks to you, or even looks at you. However, the woman who posted just before me had it right, they are compassionate people, nothing like what you hear. I'll go a step further and say that all the negative things that I hear about New Yorkers are usually from people who have never been to NY, and what they say describes Southern Californian's more than it does New Yorkers. As I said, I go to NY every other year, and I started in 2004 after I retired, so I've made 4 trips so far. During those 4 trips I have not encountered any problems with anyone, but on a couple of occassions when I appeared to need assistance, such as standing on a corner with a map and looking lost, someone would ask if they could help. I've been in SoCal a long time, but if it didn't get so damn cold in NY, I'd probably move there.
Alberto Apr 2nd 2011 7:47AM
Only one time have I visited New york which will be my last. The people are very rude and if you carry a wallet, more than likely a pick pocketer will get it. If you take a cab, more han likely it will ba a Somolian or Haitian driver who hates Americans.
Marion Baker Apr 2nd 2011 7:49AM
This great piece brought tears to the eyes of this eighty year old woman. The earnestness of the wonderful faces who were expressing their feelings is something that I will not forget. Hope everyone takes the time to listen to this as we are never too young or old to learn from others.
I thank the interviewer and the people who responded for their willingness to participate.
kp4244 Apr 2nd 2011 7:53AM
The New York subway is one of the most beautiful places in the world. All types of people and cultures, not many places have that veriety in an area the size of a subway car.
josh a. Apr 2nd 2011 9:16AM
Apparently you never saw "The Midnight Meat Train"...
Donna Apr 2nd 2011 8:06AM
Kudos to this man who made the video.Very real. Thank you for puting me a little more at ease when i travel the subway and not be so afraid. Well Done.
Thanx
KMMZ Apr 2nd 2011 8:20AM
What a beautiful piece! I would welcome any of those people into my life. The sincerity of their feelings touched my heart. I always told others, " a friend is just a smile away" and this supported it. Absolutely beautiful.....
Larry Apr 2nd 2011 8:23AM
Great work!! In a world filled with despair and hopelessness for most you were able to fill a void for a moment and bring joy and hope back.
Lou McCaskill Apr 2nd 2011 8:48AM
A very interesting video. I am a little old southern lady that travels to NY to visit my daughter, son-in-law, and the cutest grandson ever. I ride the subway all the time and have never had a bad experience in NY. I find the people are actually friendlier that the ones in the South, if you are just friendly to them. My daughter laughs at me and sometimes is embrassed because I will try to strike up conversations on the subway, and bus. My favorite story to tell is how the ticket salesperson for the shuttle bus from LGA airport into the city recognized me on a return trip. As I approached him, he said, "She's back." There was a time lapse of about two months since I had traveled by myself and this time I had my husband with me and he just laughed and laughed and said boy you made quite an impression. I am not unusual looking, and a very conservative dresser. Still do not know why he remembered me.