Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Photo: Don't Take Up Subway Seats With Your Antique Table
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 9, 2013
Modified Mar 9, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 9, 2013
Modified Mar 9, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
So many subway etiquette situations stem from a basic disrespect for other people's space—whether you're taking up a seat with a banana peel or an antique table, like the person in the photo above. "I saw this straphanger today on a crowded G train," Jeffrey Rodriguez told us. "Many passengers were standing...I was amazed no one said anything!"
You may be thinking to yourself, "Well, where else was this person going to put their giant table?" And it's a fair point: you obviously can't block the doors, and it'd probably cause just as many problems (with circulation) by putting the table in the middle of the car. However, here's the rub: if you must transport such a large object via our communal mass transit system, then you need to accept the fact that you also must sacrifice your seat.
Every person has the right to a single seat on the subway—so if your antique table is taking up one seat, then you'll just have to bite the bullet and stand up for the ride. When in doubt (or when taking up lots of space), just be chivalrous! It's a better way of living, as Tokyo's classic subway manners posters attest.
Tagged
antique table
brooklyn
g train
MTA
subway
subway etiquette
train
original
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
Victor Romero, who retired from the police department in 2001
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 10:25 a.m. ET
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
New data shows suicide taking an outsize toll among Latino New Yorkers, even as overall deaths fell.
By
Jill Webb
News
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
New data shows suicide taking an outsize toll among Latino New Yorkers, even as overall deaths fell.
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
By
Arya Sundaram
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
By
Arya Sundaram
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .