Post by pledm on Jan 13, 2008 15:17:36 GMT -5
Rob Allen stepped casually on the train at Dundas West station yesterday with his iPod in hand. Then, he ripped off his pants.
A few cars down, 24-year-old Chris McNeil, in the military since 2005, hopped through the subway doors. Then he ripped off his pants.
All down the platform, more than 100 seemingly normal people boarded the same train, the doors hissing shut behind them.
And then they all took off their pants.
What the heck was going on?
From the puzzled stares of onlookers, nobody figured this was Toronto's first annual No Pants Subway Ride, an affair new to the city but replicated all over the world.
Similar events happened yesterday afternoon everywhere from New York to San Francisco and all the way to Adelaide, Australia, the lone No Pants episode outside North America.
The idea behind the ride is simple. Get on the TTC, drop your trousers and act completely normal.
"It gets people to think outside the box," said Suzana Barbosa, the organizer for Toronto's No Pants ride. "It's just a way to try not to be so conservative and have a laugh."
Barbosa, 28, posted the event Monday on Facebook and scheduled a meet outside the subway station, where she addressed participants.
There the group went over the rules, which encouraged stripping down to your underwear but prohibited "thongs or banana hammocks," presumably to maintain the group's PG rating.
From there, the trip went surprisingly normal as planned. After everyone had disrobed, the half-naked riders simply assumed their regular subway routines.
Randy, a 23-year-old who preferred not to give his last name, sat down calmly and read The Story of my Experiments with Truth, Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography.
Corey, another 23-year-old who chose a bit of anonymity, conversed with friends and played on his BlackBerry.
Riders came from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, and their motives for letting loose had just as much variety.
Katie James, a 26-year-old interior designer, chose to show off to the TTC on her way to roller-skate practice, where she assumes the name "Cherri Nova."
Zimmy Zimmerman, 17, said she took part because "it's different and makes the city interesting."
Robert Colucci, 22, had simpler goals.
"I just hate pants," he said.
What was remarkable about the trip, which went east from Dundas West to Donlands station and back again, was the acceptance of those commuters still in their pants.
"I don't have a problem with it at all," Mike Adams said as he rode the train on his way to dinner. "If they want to do it, it's fine by me."
"I think a lot of people don't know how to react to it so they automatically just look down," Barbosa said. "A few people are laughing, though, which is the goal."
It's easy to question what would bring anyone to expose themselves on the TTC, but Robin Frolic, easily the most pregnant No Pants participant, might have an answer.
Just two months away from giving birth, Frolic sat quietly and read Stephen King.
When asked, she offered some perspective on why anyone would go half-naked in public just for the fun of it.
"Why not?" she said simply, and turned back to her book.
I like it,sounds like fun,what do you think.
A few cars down, 24-year-old Chris McNeil, in the military since 2005, hopped through the subway doors. Then he ripped off his pants.
All down the platform, more than 100 seemingly normal people boarded the same train, the doors hissing shut behind them.
And then they all took off their pants.
What the heck was going on?
From the puzzled stares of onlookers, nobody figured this was Toronto's first annual No Pants Subway Ride, an affair new to the city but replicated all over the world.
Similar events happened yesterday afternoon everywhere from New York to San Francisco and all the way to Adelaide, Australia, the lone No Pants episode outside North America.
The idea behind the ride is simple. Get on the TTC, drop your trousers and act completely normal.
"It gets people to think outside the box," said Suzana Barbosa, the organizer for Toronto's No Pants ride. "It's just a way to try not to be so conservative and have a laugh."
Barbosa, 28, posted the event Monday on Facebook and scheduled a meet outside the subway station, where she addressed participants.
There the group went over the rules, which encouraged stripping down to your underwear but prohibited "thongs or banana hammocks," presumably to maintain the group's PG rating.
From there, the trip went surprisingly normal as planned. After everyone had disrobed, the half-naked riders simply assumed their regular subway routines.
Randy, a 23-year-old who preferred not to give his last name, sat down calmly and read The Story of my Experiments with Truth, Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography.
Corey, another 23-year-old who chose a bit of anonymity, conversed with friends and played on his BlackBerry.
Riders came from a wide range of ages and backgrounds, and their motives for letting loose had just as much variety.
Katie James, a 26-year-old interior designer, chose to show off to the TTC on her way to roller-skate practice, where she assumes the name "Cherri Nova."
Zimmy Zimmerman, 17, said she took part because "it's different and makes the city interesting."
Robert Colucci, 22, had simpler goals.
"I just hate pants," he said.
What was remarkable about the trip, which went east from Dundas West to Donlands station and back again, was the acceptance of those commuters still in their pants.
"I don't have a problem with it at all," Mike Adams said as he rode the train on his way to dinner. "If they want to do it, it's fine by me."
"I think a lot of people don't know how to react to it so they automatically just look down," Barbosa said. "A few people are laughing, though, which is the goal."
It's easy to question what would bring anyone to expose themselves on the TTC, but Robin Frolic, easily the most pregnant No Pants participant, might have an answer.
Just two months away from giving birth, Frolic sat quietly and read Stephen King.
When asked, she offered some perspective on why anyone would go half-naked in public just for the fun of it.
"Why not?" she said simply, and turned back to her book.
I like it,sounds like fun,what do you think.
