It’s No Pants Subway Ride Again

Subway riders throughout New York, London, Washington, Toronto, Mexico City and dozens of others nonchalantly stripped to their underwear from the waist down Sunday afternoon as part of a global practical joke coordinated by prankster outfit Improv Everywhere. It’s the 11th annual No Pants Subway Ride. To participate in event the only requirements were people had to be “willing to take pants off on subway” and “able to keep a straight face about it”.

To maintain the surreal atmosphere, the pants-less commuters chat, read and listen to music like they normally would have if clothed. Participants pretend that they do not know each other and if asked, claim that they simply "forgot" their pants. The liberation of breaking a social taboo and seeing the reaction of people not aware of the event generally makes the event fun for its participants.

The first No Pants Subway Ride took place in 2002 with seven riders. Over the years, the act seems to have become infectious. Now at its eleventh edition, the No Pants phenomenon has spread across the the world and people take part in at least sixty cities across the globe. (See No Pants Subway Ride 2011)

Photos: Getty Images and RICHARD LAUTENS/TORONTO STAR