Gothamist: GAPH: Gothamist Against Pole Hugging

Polehugger2

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 22:47:51 -0500

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.

polehugger

Mon, 12 Apr 2004 11:54:51 -0500

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.

ash

Mon, 12 Apr 2004 00:36:06 -0500

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.

FDL

Thu, 08 Apr 2004 17:15:16 -0500

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.

Doug

Mon, 05 Apr 2004 16:13:45 -0500

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.

angie

Mon, 05 Apr 2004 15:36:58 -0500

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!)

jake

Mon, 05 Apr 2004 09:35:37 -0500

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.