April 5, 2004
GAPH: Gothamist Against Pole Hugging
Maybe you guys can help me out. I'm on a crusade to end pole hugging on the subway. You know what I mean: the people who lean against the poles or wrap their entire body around while they read the paper. Help me spread the word!
Micahel F., East 20s
Of all the violations of subway etiquette - putting a bag on the only vacant seat or not moving to the middle of the car to make room for other riders - perhaps nothing shows an utter lack of consideration for work-weary commuters like pole hugging. Gothamist doesn't ride with a tape measurer, but would guess that the average subway pole can accommodate at least fifteen hands ranging in height from the smallest of children to the tallest NBA star.
Unfortunately, metal poles are too narrow for warning signs or instructions that might help end this scourge. What's a concerned straphanger to do?
If the pole hugger is from out of town, he or she will probably be amenable to any polite suggestion to hold on rather than lean or wrap. Tourists always have a more enjoyable time when they fell like they are doing as most New Yorkers do.
But with natives, it is up to considerate riders to decide what is the most effective - and don't forget safest - way to convert a hugger into a holder, even if it's only a temporary fix. A simple "excuse me" will probably work in most situations, but Gothamist is not against wedging our hands between the pole and the offending leaner's back, going so far as to jam a knuckle into a spine to send the proper message.
Gothamist sees plenty of signs on the subway telling riders not to run, ride between trains, or hold the doors and wonders what the MTA would do to encourage people to stop pole hugging.
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how fresh would that be- one of those little stick figure signs with the little guy wrapped around the pole, and the message in spanish as well? sounds like we need to write a letter to the MTA.
I hear you on the newspaper readers, but when young healthy men don't even CONSIDER getting up to let the old and infirm sit down, they have no choice but to hug the pole. I've seen many a shopping bag laden old ladies in the situation- what else can they do to steady themselves (Surely not lean on the door- that's agianst the rules!)
When it comes to the elderly or pregnant ladies, Gothamist says hug away. If no one is considerate enough to offer a seat to these people then we have no problem with them holding on to whatever keeps them upright, even if it means hugging a transit cop.
I have always hated the pole-huggers, but wondered if I was being just a bit irrational. now I'm vindicated! Those bastards. I am definitely of the hand-wedging school, squeezing my fingers in there to make my point. It should be said that that usually works, and people spring away from the pole with haste when they feel a foriegn finger.
I have done the finger wedge on occasion, only to have the pole hugger refuse to budge, thus, causing some finger discomfort and the gross sensation of knowing that you are touching someone you'd rather not.
i admit i was a pole-hugger, but only on weekends when it wasn't crowded and i didn't feel like sitting, or if there were no seats, but the poles were pretty empty. why? it's more comfortable and i hated touching them with my hands. i'd rather my jacket grab the nasty pole. i would never do that in a crowded car, though.
I'm with polehugger. Subway poles are too gross to touch when the fullness of the car doesn't make polehugging gauche. I can respect the opinion of those frustrated rush hour travelers; however, I think we should distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate polehugging.
I say, "If you want to hug a pole, ride the G train."
i'm a knuckle jammer. it pretty much always works. you just have to do it hard enough, yet innocently and discreetly. it's a total accident, dude, i'm just trying to hang on to the pole and not crash into anyone ; )
'sup with the people who lean against poles and end up with them wedged between their buttcheeks? ew.
once again. after seeing the pole-dancing girls - i'd rather just perfect my balancing and hands off the skank rods.
What about la-z-polers???
The people who think they are on their recliners and have their feet up on the pole?
They are equally as annoying.