Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
New MTA Etiquette Ad Targets Flying Red Humanoids Who Crash Into Subway Poles
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 14, 2015
Modified Jan 15, 2015
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
John Del Signore
Published Jan 14, 2015
Modified Jan 15, 2015
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
We've all been there: you score a coveted seat on a crowded subway train and dive into the latest issue of Highlights when out of nowhere those androgynous humanoids start flying around the car, bouncing off the walls and inevitably getting lodged against a subway pole. It's not enough they were given the gift of perfectly round skulls, they have to treat the subway like their personal pinball machine? We're not helping them down anymore.
At least the MTA has finally decided to do something about this menace, with a new ad now appearing in subway trains throughout the system. Unfortunately, none of it matters until someone draws eyes on the ones this ad is targeting. But maybe this other ad combating those annoying ghosts who haunt the subways in ashen business suits will have an impact:
Go make ghoulish sounds at a spooky board meeting or something, Mr. Business Ghost—we're hot New Yorkers trying to look our best for dinner at Red Farm tonight! There's clearly no room for you or your whitewashed Men's Wearhouse suits on this moving style train. Why does a ghost even need to sit down, anyway? Wouldn't he just sink right through the seat? These ads make no sense! Oh great, now there's more ghosts in this ad:
We're not sure what point the MTA is trying to make about the ghosts of late-capitalism rising up to haunt brave local consumers, but at least somebody's finally standing up for green people and their right to shop 'til they drop. THANK U MTA!
UPDATE: Due to a photo editing error, it appears we may have somewhat misinterpreted the MTA's new etiquette ads. The full versions are below. We regret everything, as always.
Tagged
etiquette
subway etiquette
original
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City
What do you see when you record the whole of the boroughs?
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 5, 2026
Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries
It's a busy month at the branches.
By
Alec Hamilton
Arts & Entertainment
Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries
It's a busy month at the branches.
By
Alec Hamilton
NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism
By
Hank Shteamer
Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.
By
Hannah Frishberg
In the mood for a pastoral autumn experience? Try Queens.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
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 .