Londoners took part in an annual “No Trousers Tube Ride” event, where hundreds of people, mostly men, rode the subway without pants, aiming to bring a bit of levity to the bleak winter. The unusual stunt was inspired by Charlie Todd’s brainchild, which started in New York City in 2002.
The event involves people gathering at designated stations, including Chinatown and Piccadilly Circus, before boarding trains where they shed their trousers mid-trip. While some struggled with crowding, many simply enjoyed the humor and playfulness of the experience. Selfies were taken, grins exchanged, and tourists looked puzzled.
Todd, a comedian, initially proposed the idea as a lighthearted joke to poke fun at the often-serious atmosphere of public transportation. He emphasized that the goal was to bring people together and create laughter, rather than provoke or irritate others.
Participants included self-proclaimed “clothing anarchists” like Dave Selkirk, who saw the event as an opportunity for silly fun, while others, like Basil Long, took part simply because they thought it looked like a good idea. Miriam Correa, a chef, attended to challenge body image perceptions and promote self-acceptance.
The event has since spread to other cities worldwide, including Berlin, Prague, Jerusalem, Warsaw, and Washington D.C., with London hosting its first big reveal in 2009.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/britain-no-trousers-tube-prank-stunt-underground-98d85a5c9ce8c5c576ced275cfd690d0