The New York City subway is far more than just a transportation system; it’s a vibrant, unpredictable stage where everyday life unfolds in unexpected ways. From hilarious viral moments to the profound photographic art of ‘Subway Hands,’ we explore how the city’s underground pulse reveals the funny, the bizarre, and the deeply human stories of its millions of daily commuters.
For many, the daily subway commute is a mundane routine of cramped spaces and sensory overload. Yet, beneath the surface of this predictable journey lies a rich tapestry of human experience, often strange, sometimes hilarious, and occasionally deeply touching. The New York City subway, in particular, has become a legendary backdrop for the unexpected, attracting curious observers and photographers alike who capture these fleeting, unforgettable moments.
Think about it: where else might you encounter a man with a giant inflatable pizza, a woman in a full unicorn costume, or a group of friends in matching dinosaur onesies? These aren’t just isolated incidents; they’re common occurrences that turn a simple commute into an impromptu show. From New York to Tokyo, people share countless photos of the weird and wonderful things they witness on their underground journeys, proving that public transit truly is a unique stage for humanity’s quirks.
The Art of Observation: Introducing ‘Subway Hands’
Amidst these broader observations, photographer Hannah La Follette Ryan offers a uniquely intimate perspective with her acclaimed Instagram project, Subway Hands. Since its launch in 2015, this project has garnered nearly half a million followers by September 2025, transforming the mundane into profound art. Ryan, who moved to New York City after college and experienced a 45-minute daily commute, discovered that while faces often remain guarded, hands tell a surprisingly honest story.
Her inspiration for focusing on hands stems from a deep personal connection and an appreciation for their expressive nature. Ryan recounted to Kinn Studio that she loved holding hands with her grandfather and father, noting the “difference in the texture of our skin, evidence of the life they lived before me.” This early fascination evolved into a photographic series, where she observes passengers fidgeting, self-soothing, cracking knuckles, or simply resting their hands on their laps.
The success of Subway Hands lies in its ability to reveal the unguarded truths of urban life. Helen Rosner of The New Yorker noted that Ryan’s photographs of commuters’ hands are “as intimate and readable as faces,” perhaps even more so. Ryan herself explains, “Hands are expressive and reactive in a way that often feels more honest. We reveal a lot about ourselves through our nervous tics, the tension in our hands, our subconscious gestures.” This project has not only captivated an online audience but also led to collaborations with New York Fashion Week and even a Times Square billboard feature, solidifying its place as a unique cultural document.
The Unexpected Encounters of Subway Life
Beyond the subtle artistry of hand gestures, the subway system constantly delivers a barrage of overt oddities. These range from peculiar passengers to bizarre lost items. The sheer volume of people packed into these confined spaces creates a unique environment where the most unusual sides of humanity are on full display. As Rick McGuire, founder of the ‘Subway Creatures’ project on Instagram, observed, commuters are “forced into a confined space and have no other choice but to deal with each other,” leading to a small microcosm of society’s most interesting and strangest parts.
Consider some of the fantastic sights people have documented:
- A man casually riding with a giant inflatable pizza.
- Someone sporting a full-body unicorn costume.
- A group of passengers in matching dinosaur onesies.
- A man sketching fellow commuters and telling them they are beautiful, an act of unexpected kindness.
- A person feeding a tiny kitten, a small slice of warmth in a bustling environment.
It’s not just the people and their costumes; sometimes the humor comes from unexpected situations or even alterations to public signage. One photo shows a “please do not put your feet on the seat” sign, humorously defaced with a drawing of feet on the sign itself. Another captures a man with a giant bouquet of flowers and an “I’m sorry” sign, leaving fellow passengers to wonder about the story behind his remorse.
What Gets Left Behind? The MTA’s Lost and Found
If the passengers themselves aren’t enough, the forgotten items tell their own stories of subway life. The New York City Transit (NYCT) Lost Property Unit, a division of the MTA, deals with an astonishing number of misplaced articles. As of July 11, 2018, the authority had found 277,233 lost items. While common items like Metrocards, cell phones, and wallets top the list, the truly bizarre items paint a vivid picture of the city’s diverse commuters.
Imagine finding yourself in possession of:
- 96 trumpets
- 9 answering machines
- 27 death certificates
- 91 insulin pumps
- 21 tefillin (leather boxes worn by Orthodox Jewish men)
These peculiar possessions highlight the sheer randomness of daily commutes and the variety of lives intersecting on the subway. The MTA constantly updates its Lost and Found data set, offering a fascinating glimpse into what people forget.
The Psychological Space of the Commute
Why do these subway moments resonate so deeply within fan communities and beyond? Career coach Rita Friedman explains that a commute is a “transitional unit of space and time.” For many, it’s a crucial break between the responsibilities of home and work. This period allows for zoning out, managing stress, or even catching up on personal tasks. It’s a space where people often let their guard down, leading to the candid observations that photographers like Hannah La Follette Ryan capture.
Whether it’s scrolling through social media, half-listening to a podcast, or simply staring out the window, the commute can be therapeutic. It’s a moment when “nobody is holding you accountable,” as Friedman notes, fostering a sense of freedom that can lead to both hilarious public displays and profoundly intimate, unspoken moments.
Ultimately, the New York City subway is more than just tracks and trains; it’s a living, breathing entity that constantly offers up slices of life—funny, bizarre, intimate, and entirely unique. From the grand gestures to the subtle clench of a hand, every ride is an opportunity to witness the endless stories unfolding in the heart of the city.
