There are countless signs someone wants to be left alone. This guy’s shirt is wide open, and his stomach is certainly not the sort of sign one reads and wants to approach for more information. His arms are also out, as if he’s preparing to fly or wrap the shoulders of his neighbors in an unasked-for-bear hug.
And, let us not forget the very clear man-spreading happening here. Hopefully, he doesn’t want anyone to talk to him because he is sending out all sorts of “stay away” signals. No one is sitting less than two seats away from this guy, and for good reason.
Judging a Book By Its Cover
Everyone reads on the subway, but not everyone should. Just take a closer look at the title of this gentleman's book. Maybe that's something he should have taken out on a Kindle or e-reader instead of the hard copy. Maybe it's just a joke, and he wants a reaction from his fellow riders; he's certainly getting some laughs. Someone published this book; he's just reading it.
We can laugh, but it's hard to judge. Makes you wonder what other titles you've been missing by ignorant passengers on your morning commute. We hope this guy finds love and that we get to see him with the second part of this book series, "How to keep your girlfriend happy, even when you are always late from work, being stuck on the Subway."
When You Have to Make a Deadline
This is what a dedicated employee looks like. When a deadline arrives, when the work needs to be finished, sometimes you have to get creative. A laptop is supposed to be portable, but a laptop stabilizer is not quite the same thing. It's clear he was not ready to make small talk, he had a job to do.
He was focused, on his computer and its stabilizer, because a deadline was looming. It's not something you see every day, no matter what mode of travel you take. We would imagine it would give you a laugh at the very least.
Think Hamilton
So this American Revolutionary-styled outfit was probably related to Hamilton somehow because, at this point, aren't they all? Maybe he's a cast member (though they usually don't let you leave the theater with your costume still on). This guy looks like he's on the way home, so there was no show for him tonight. We can appreciate the outfit, though, and its attention to detail.
The more we think of it, the more ideas come up in our heads about the place this dude is coming back from. Maybe a school play he participated in, a fancy dress party, or nowhere special, and he just wanted to make his life a little more interesting.
Black Bird Singing
It's a little Edgar Allen Poe, but who can blame a girl for embracing her inner poetry? At least her pet seems to be behaving himself on their joint ride home. She's following the rules of a responsible pet owner, that bird is definitely on a leash. Props to her for following protocol and having a well-behaved bird.
People wouldn't complain so much if all animal travelers were as well-behaved. We have seen human children behave far worse. Perhaps it's time we acknowledge the grace of these feathered companions and recognize their potential as delightful travel partners, inspiring more responsible pet ownership across the board.