Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: Clipping Your Nails On The Subway Is Gross
By
Ben Yakas
Published Apr 1, 2011
Modified Apr 1, 2011
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 Apr 1, 2011
Modified Apr 1, 2011
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 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.
Tagged
clipping nails
gross
nails
subway
subway etiquette
video
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
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
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 .