Video: Clipping Your Nails On The Subway Is Gross

We thought we already had this covered: nail clipping on the subway is not cool, under any circumstances. As it is, we think even nail filing is on the edge of acceptability. But clipping? Between the nails-on-chalk sound and the discarded bits that fly all over the place, it is absurd that we're even having this conversation. And this assumes that we're only talking about fingernails! And yet, in the video below, a man is called a "mental case" for pointing out to a stranger that it's "kinda gross" that he was clipping his nails on the subway.

The two get into a long argument about subway etiquette, but the clipper-in-question calls the request a "ridiculous demand", and refuses to cede his position, saying he has "nothing to do in here."

We especially enjoy this reasonable argument against clipping nails: "If you would like to be a normal human, than you would not do that...These people are normal human beings because they decided, 'I'm not going to brush my teeth on the subway'...that I don't mind, you can file away, just the clipping is really gross. Please don't do this."

One more time: don't clip your nails on the subway, don't have sex on the subway, don't urinate on the subway, and be respectful of noise pollution, physical contact, hygiene, seating priority, garbage disposal (or lack thereof), and of course, eating. But do feel free to put a rat in your mouth if the mood strikes you.

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

By Ben Yakas in News on April 1, 2011 11:50 AM

Comments [rss]

soxinthecity

Bike dude should have stuck his finger down his own throat, and puked on the nail clipper douche to prove how disgusting his behavior was. That would have been performance art.

Bob Stienfien

what happened to mind your own fucking business the guy wanst to clip his nail this city has become full of these lil faggots crying about litter and things like this that kid needs a punch in the face with his stupid bike blocking everyone ,it would be justice if the guy threatened the kid ,so this stupid kid doesnt think its okay to go around and bother people. NEW YORK WAKE UP ITS OUR CITY NOT THESE NEBRASKA ASSHOLES OR PEOPLE FROM UPSTATE OR ANYWHERE ELSE FUCK THEM FUCK YOU FUCK OFF

BoogieDown

There are some guys from Texas called The Minutemen. I think you'd really like them.

ChristineK/ChrissieK

Clipping your nails at work is also gross. I've had WOMEN who clip their nails in an office and a Men who clip them in a call center. DISGUSTING!

Ragingsemi

Jesus, listening to a Bulgarian and a yuppy fucktard argue on the subway is way worse than watching someone clip their nails.

fosiacat

if he sat down next to me and started doing that shit, i sure as hell wouldn't be laughing about it, and i would warn him straight away if that shit comes near me, im going to jam my fucking arm down your throat.

Rene Rosa

Boy does this make me happy to live in New Jersey. I have to take the path in to work every day and take the subway often to go hang out, and the last thing I give a shit about is what people are doing around me unless I get actually touched or physically effected by it. I keep my headphones on so I don't have to communicate with anyone unnecessarily, or hear anything stupid or loud I don't need to, and I just worry about going to where the hell I need to go. This kind of bitching and moaning about what other people do on the train is so trivial and petty. The fact that this is even posted is sad. Slow news day I guess?

ad

Guy is a UCB improviser and kind of a tool...might be a setup? But yeah, nailclipping+subway=gross.

alanstarzinski

Hey ad,
Kindly go fuck yourself.
-Alan Starzinski (improvisor and tool)

Kevin

I can't believe some people are defending nail clipper. It looks like more than a cobra escaped from the zoo!

harveyharevi

Next up on Gothamist: Performing surgery on an ingrown fingernail with tweezers and cuticle scissors on the Subway is fucking nasty!

adeez

"don't clip your nails on the subway, don't have sex on the subway, don't urinate on the subway..."

And for the love of God, WALK TO THE FUCKIN RIGHT!

sharpshoota

JOB asians usually love to clip nails on the subway.

hanbush

Definitely Asians. When I worked at the Apple Store on 5th Ave we had a constant swarm of Chinese iPhone buyers just hanging around the store. Most of them would sit on the stone bench in the middle and clip away all fucking day! And then stampede the line every time we restocked a tub of iPod Touches thinking they were iPhones. Have you ever seen a 6'2 flaming gay Apple manager with a mohawk attack a crazy old chinese woman? I have...

mmheidelberger

I would pay to see that shit!

Bernie_Geotz_Squirrel_Luv

I've seen Africans slip off their sandals to clip their toenails. Summertime.

Bernie_Geotz_Squirrel_Luv

I have a feeling this may have turned out differently if the clipper guy wasn't white? See speghetti fight.
Can't wait till summer when people clip their toe nails on the subway. gotta keep them looking nice in those sandals, flip flops or loafers.