Step Aside And Let 'Em Off

I have a really puzzling situation that seems to arise often when I ride the subway. You know how the conductors tell us to "step aside and let 'em off"?

Here is what happened yesterday, which is pretty typical: I was trying to change to the express train from the local, and as we pulled into the station I saw my train across the platform. I was not the only one. There were a whole bunch of us at the door eagerly waiting to leave the train and jump on the express across the tracks. I just happened to be in front, at the door. So anyway, by the time the doors opened, there was a fair-sized guy standing right in the middle in front of the door, with two other people standing at the sides but just blocking enough of the door so that no one could get out.

So I said "excuse me," and he did nothing. Not a move by anyone. So, having no choice really (I certainly couldn't back up, there being all those people behind me, and besides, we want the express!) I had to push between the big guy and the others, at which point he LAUGHED AT ME.

This is what I don't get, Gothamist. What exactly was I supposed to have done in that situation? Why was he laughing?

I only ask because this sort of thing seems to happen a lot, and the reaction of the person or people blocking the door to my requests that they allow me to leave the train is usally something like laughter.

So what is the right thing to do here?

And why are they laughing?

Oh boy. We can only imagine that this is going to incite a lot of comments so lets get started. We don't know how many times we have encountered the same type of lazy behavior from our fellow commuters. People like to lean against the door instead of holding the pole. We even do it ourselves, it's more comfortable. However, in saying that, the proper thing to do would be to either exit the train and stand to the side while others exit and then re-enter the train, or move out of the door before people are trying to exit. But some people are just plain lazy and can't be bothered. Our method of exiting the train in that situation is to say excuse me once, giving them the opportunity to move. If they dont, we shove our way out, while saying excuse me again. We feel that if someone is too lazy to move they probably don't mind all that much being nailed in the gut by our bag or elbow. (Of course, this does not apply to small children or the elderly, or tourists who seem unfamiliar with the trains.) Or you can try another set of doors, but then you risk getting caught in the flood of people entering the trains and missing your stop just because you don't want to be a little pushy. A fun option, if you are feeling a little punchy, would be to start exclaiming loudly how you feel like your going to projectile vomit everywhere. Maybe that'd clear a path for you? We don't know if that counts as "subway etiquette" however.

Now, why were they laughing? Who knows. Maybe they were shocked that people have manners and say "excuse me", when it seems that more often the norm on the subway is every man for themselves. We would just be happy and leave a trail of laughter behind you, while you catch that express train and get to your destination quicker.

We're sure other people have some thoughts?

Photo of R68 door by Triborough on flickr

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Christina Piluso in Miscellaneous on August 15, 2006 1:54 PM

Comments [rss]

Todd

I ride the 4/5/6 to and from work everyday during rush hour. To get there I have to pass through Chinatown on the N. So I experience the crazy Chinese old ladies and the insanity that is Union Square in the morning. That 4/5/6 platform is scary as all get out during rush hour. Forget excuse me, I just push and hope. It's crazy down there. Number one rule: Don't take anything personally.

MikeBC

My very favorite thing is people who start down the stairs to the platform while talking on their phones, then they realize they're going to lose service, so they stop and stand in the middle of the staircase.

I just told a guy in my office what I was reading and he told me that he stands in the door when he rides the train--'so that he doesn't have to touch anything.' I told him that he runs the risk of being elbowed in the gut by me.

Not Amused

Ching Chong Charlie! You's a nut dude! Hahahahahahahahahahaha . It's true they do have some of the worst habits . I'm no hater but "Some of" the Asian people are stuck in there ways. They think there home and shit Picking their noses and either flicking or worest off wiping the boogers off on the pole. I see that shit everytime I take the [7] train out to Flushing! The foot picking thing is also true thankfully I take the "G" train home so that's not a real problem for me .

Not Amused

Look, I'm not trying to encourage a fight here but sometimes you have to act like a jerk in order to get your point across. I employ a variety of methods . Depending on the severity of the occurrence I [1] Say excuse me before the train comes to a stop, (Of course this works only if your smart enough to position urself at the doors prior to your stop).[2] You can firmly state excuse me and then shove your way through after the doors open . [3] If the person is being a real ass clown about it you say excuse me and as you push your way through leave the guy with a nasty reminder that "You don't play" (IE. Kick in the ankle,elbow to the ribs under the arm, Push comes to shove knee the bitch in the nuts! As long as you get to the connecting train it's all fair !)

TW

Try getting the underground in Shanghai everyday (like I do): shoving, spitting, toenail clipping, huge parcels in the aisle, people blocking the doors/platforms, people screaming on mobile phones.

It's a Chinese thing. No manners.

Chon Wang

我恨您!!!!!!!

Kay

Another subway peeve: people who fall asleep on your shoulder and then jerk themselves back into an upright position -- repeatedly. A man did this to me last night until I took the cap off the pen I was using and pointed it toward him so that every time he slumped over, he slumped into the cap, not my shoulder. He got the message. There are time that I wish I could be more of a jerk so that I could use the pen point itself and let someone get ink all over their shirts.

Also, I don't think it's racist to point out that Chinese people are rude, but it's only your limited experience to not realize that there are rude people in every single group that lives in this city, which is why I hate everyone. I saw a woman clipping her daughter's nails on the subway last week. She may have been Asian, Hispanic, or Philipino, but whatever race she was, it was DISGUSTING.

Chin Chan

Me lesent lemalks made by you white peoples. we vely vely polite cultule at least we don't poop on platform yes?

Me push and shove you loooooong time.

jack oneil

First and excuse me then push through.

What about the guys (always guys) that have to grab the pole with their butt cheeks? Ever seen that? You walk in, go to get the pole and some guy is shoving that thing up his ass because he does not want to touch it with his hands?? Thanks assholes.

Best Chinese story, old woman clipping her toenails in the train. Ewwwwww.

Syntax99

Re: Post 71 by anon.

ahh...i love grammar tips from people like you:

Re:

All your years of playing high school football has definitely "paided off".

Ummm...the quotation mark goes outside of the period, not inside. Way to go jack-ass. You don't even know "proper English grammar."

bethesda

Now that we're talking about different types of people on the subway, I have a question: What's the deal with all the white people with all their friggin fancy shopping bags, waving them in the air, spinning around like they don't have a care in the world? Those pointy ends are like knives. Get those damn things out of my face and quit acting like you're on the set for Mary Poppins!

interlard

The guy laughed because he expected you to stab him. That's how his kind behave. Luckily, most of us are better than that.

If we keep our standards up, one day these shit-eaters will follow. Until then, just don't let it get you down.

La CC

Is Youbitches a terrorist? Are you threatening me, Youbitches? Cuz I'll sic the Mexican Mafia on your ass, cabron.

Anyway, I just have to chime in that these Chinese haters might be on to something because the Chinese old ladies also always block the bike path between the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges in the morning while they do Tai Chi. Even when I come barreling down the bike path on my bike, they act like I'm not even there and they happily pose away as I have to ride around them risking death and potholes. I'm just saying.

CM

I don't understand why saying "excuse me" must be met with derision. Just because we live in new york doesn't mean we have to forgo good manners for the rest of our lives. I'll continue to say it, as well as "bless you" to sneezing passengers, "thank you" when it's appropriate, etc. If this forever labels me as a "transplant" I can't say I give a damn.

bandwagon

What I'd like to know is why, when i do tell people to get out of the way, people behind me aren't backing me up? It seems like half the city is on this thread and agrees that the other half of the city is in their way. then back up the first person off the train who has to plow through the people on the platform. Even an enthusiastic 'yeah' will do it.

And as far as the 'pole dancers' are concerned, as someonne who is 5'1, and relies on those poles, shoving your hand into the small of someone's back gets the message out there pretty quick. No one has ever told me to 'watch it' when i've grabbed a pole they were hogging.

Ching Chong Charlie

Stop whining. Youbitches. I live in Sunset Park and take the 8th Ave. N into work everyday and it's true - Chinese people have some mad fucked up train ettique. You think the old ladies' shoving is bad? Try the constant, nonstop spitting! And the fresh-off-the-boat motherfuckers who squat down in a circle and eat their damn breakfasts on the damn train platform while the rest of us are trying to get by. Drink your fucking milk tea and eat your fucking pork buns at a table like human beings. The N train isn't a goddamn rice paddy in Fujian! Don't whine to the rest of us if you Chongs can't behave like civilized people now that you're here in New York!

admit you are a racist and the

"Stereotypes are based on some facts usually...it's not racist at all. It's called an observation."

-- NYTranspalnt

no. wrong. sorry. even if a race of people behave a certain way, ignoring the fact that OTHER races ALSO do it would be racists. if you said, for example, that black people don't speak proper english, that my friend, is RACIST. why? because plenty of non- black people say "y'all", "git 'er done", " gitcha some _____","youse guys" or "like" (in between every other word). you are ignoring the fact that black people aren't the only ones that don't speak with an adherence to proper english.

anyways, my point is that everyone has crap subway ettiquette and everyone sucks, so shut up.

w

What,

Duh, French is not a race.

Nightguy

If I can jump back to the beginning of this thread when it was more about subway strategies and less about culture war...

When someone on the platform doesn't get out of my way as I try to leave the train, I also go with one comment before bumping. But my comment is,

"What, are you fucking NEW at this? Step aside and let us off."

Too few people are capable of enough shame for that to register the way I'd like, but it helps me vent, and usually wins me a supportive chuckle or two.

what?

ma:

"If you perpetuate these negative stereotypes and have that kind of anti-immigrant mentality, you should go back to your motherland"

Can you explain to me how it is racist to expect people to assimilate to the culture once they move there? If I moved to a Muslim country, I would surely adopt the practice of wearing a head scarf because that is the tradtion there. If I am not willing to accept the culture of some place, then I should not move there. I should not expect everyone to assimilate to me.

What I don't get is how if you expect people who move to America to assimilate - you are suddenly a racist?

Not only that, but I bet if anyone swapped the word "Asian" with "French" - no one would be playing the race card. For example if someone said: "Those French ladies always push me out of the way..." I can say for sure no one would say anything about that being racist.

And guess what: my parents are first generation immigrants. So it's not like I don't know about the life of an immigrant.