Bare-legged passengers brave chill on No Pants Day

On its ninth anniversary, partakers congregated in as many as six locations throughout the city. They assembled, formed groups and dispersed to subway stations.

The rules of the game
Once inside the subway cars, they stripped down to their innerwear and folded their pants coolly, as if nothing bizarre had happened.

Well! That’s the rule of the No Pants Subway Ride, remove the outerwear while underground and act ‘normally’.

The so-called rules of the event also stipulate individuals have to maintain a straight face, and not acknowledge or greet other participants.

And the mission “causes scenes of chaos and joy in public places".

Humor apart, Sarah Jackson, a participant felt liberated by the event. "People you know look around, they're curious and interested and for some reason I feel incredibly comfortable in my underwear on the LRT," she said.

Will braves the chill
The sub-zero temperatures did not deter thousands of enthusiasts who took part in the annual event.

Organizers Improv Everywhere claimed that 3,000 people in over in 43 other cities in 16 countries took part this year.

So it meant, all bare legs braving the chill, hustled together in the public transit systems, enjoying the special journey.

Smoke without fire
And who said there is no smoke without fire. There is neither a background to nor a reason why the No Pants Day is celebrated.

This one is straight from the horse’s mouth. Bruce Witzenburg, one of the organizers said, "There's not really any point or any cause" to the event. “We're just trying to put smiles on people's faces." Novel idea for sure!

And then as is the case with every announcement, every decision, every event. Critics. There were sporadic protests against the campaign in New York with demonstrators waving banners calling on people not to strip.

True to the spirit of the day, the participants did not acknowledge the banners and acted ‘normally’; the way they were meant to act on this day.