Subway Etiquette Sign Creator, Jason Shelowitz, Told To Take Posters Down (VIDEO)

NEW YORK (Associated Press) - A Manhattan graphic designer who put up signs to stop bad subway etiquette has been told to take them down.

Jason Shelowitz has been posting service advisory signs in subway stations calling out the most disgusting habits.

An NYC transit spokesman said Thursday that it's against the rules to post signs in the subway stations system. The fine is $25.

Shelowitz interviewed 100 friends and riders to pinpoint the 10 most revolting subway behaviors. The list included eating, seating priority and noise pollution.

One sign reads: "Keep your hands to yourself, perv." It is signed by the Metropolitan Etiquette Authority.

The New York Post reported on his mission in Thursday's edition.

WPIX interviewed Shelowitz about his work:

 

Comments

[jetle25]

01:09 PM on 04/26/2010

Did he do a poster about people eating sunflower seeds and spitting the shells on the floor? Or sucking their teeth? How about sweaty people with no undershirts on. People who don't blow their nose but just keep sniffling and sucking their phlegm down their throat? list keeps getting longer.

[jon999999]

12:34 PM on 04/26/2010

another thing that irritates me is when people stop as soon as they get inside a train's doors (when there is plenty of space inside). they block you from entering meanwhile the doors are about to close and you are still trying to get onboard. so then you have to push into them to get on the train.

also not so much in NYC but on trains with steps (such as low floor light rail cars) people who sit on the steps inside the train... this is not your brooklyn brownstone stoop, this is a mass transit vehicle.

[LogicCircuit]

11:43 AM on 04/25/2010

Yuk, I thought I had a disgusting subway story, but some of the stories here are much worse!

The worst thing that happened to me is a woman sitting next to me, took out a little mirror and started tweezing out chin hair!

[reluctantcougar]

03:17 AM on 04/25/2010

When did it become okay to spit in public like the streets and sidewalks are your personal spittoon?

Didn't most people resent the Guiliani administration cracking down and issuing summonses over on the very quality of life infractions that are being discussed here?

[LiberalBuzz]

02:39 AM on 04/25/2010

This guy should have been given a city medal and not be harassed by the MTA.

I didn't ride the subway that often when I was in NY, but I did see one pretty gross scene and I won't offend you with it, but nonetheless these are great signs and the city should put up MORE not take them down.

[SBrooksB]

01:10 AM on 04/25/2010

I was riding home on the #1 when a couple boarded the car eating chicken out of an open bucket of KFC. As they finished each drumstick, thigh or breast, they'd toss the bones on the floor and suck the grease off their fingers.

Before that day, I'd thought the 70-year-old in a tank top applying roll-on deodorant was the worse thing I'd ever see on a subway, but the chicken bones were exponentially worse.

[framah]

11:12 AM on 04/24/2010

I remember riding on the high speed line from Newark to NYC years ago when a fairly drunk man gets up from his seat and proceeds to unzip and pee on the doors. Everyone got and moved to another car.

Fond memories!!

[The Recovering Catholic]

04:49 PM on 04/23/2010

I love the people that blow their noses without a tissue...one finger pressing on one nostril and blowing air out the other on to the floor. *gag*

[Igor13]

04:11 PM on 04/23/2010

When I lived in Boston and rode the trains daily the barrage of personal grooming chores that I witnessed was shocking. All of the acts referenced by Mr. Shelowitz and more!
Reaching down the front of ones trousers to " separate Mr. Happy from the twins" True story.
Reaching down the back of ones trousers just for a good scratch and / or underwear rearrangement,
and this one is not limited to just the male segment of our society.
All of this of course is followed by the grab of the pole, strap or some other means of support.
Most of the time these acts were perpetrated by well dressed, educated people. I'll forgive the occasional drunk or homeless person but not someone that should know and act better.

[lumpy gravy]

03:49 PM on 04/23/2010

the nail clipping sign is right on. people are friggin disgusting.

[anfractuous]

03:47 PM on 04/23/2010

It wouldn't have had an effect anyway, unless it was written in Chinese.

Sorry, but its true.

[templedancer]

11:00 PM on 04/23/2010

I hear you anfractuous...I ride the bloody subway almost every day.....people are eating their lunch and dinner on the subway, putting on makeup; some don't use deodorant; spitting on the subway; it's gross.

[JhNyc]

03:25 PM on 04/23/2010

This behavior sadly isn't restricted to public transit. Several years ago I was in a jury pool with one of the most successful theatrical casting directors at that time. I was astounded (and nauseated) to witness him clipping his fingernails onto the floor of the crowded holding room.

[Tyler-Durden]

03:11 PM on 04/23/2010

i despise that clicking sound of nails being cut. a guy used to sit in the next workstation and do it at least once a week.

he moved to the back of the office recently. thank goodness for small miracles.

personal hygiene should be done in the restroom, not in public.

i don't want to see you cut your nails, blow your nose, scratch your crabs, pull your wedgie, floss, insert a tampon, empty your catheter, or anything else that should remain personal business.

people today have very little self restraint, and even less respect for people around them.

makes the 2012 rumor seem like a great relief on the horizon.

[Pyfagorus]

03:04 PM on 04/23/2010

Thoughtlessness is the natural state of humanity.

[mooklyn]

02:56 PM on 04/23/2010

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I apologize for the interruption. I am here selling candy, not to raise money for no basketball team, but just to put some money in my pocket, and stay off the streets and out of trouble. It costs one dollar. I have M&M peanut only."

[ABCD]

03:50 PM on 04/23/2010

LMAO! I've seen that guy!

[JhNyc]

05:56 PM on 04/23/2010

I have also.

[markpkessinger]

05:43 PM on 04/24/2010

I've seen that guy many times as well. The first time I saw him, several years ago, I had quite a chuckle to myself as I considered the very subtly implied subtext!