Fancy a commute with a twist? If you’re hopping on the London Underground today, don’t be surprised if something’s missing—it’s that time of year again! The No Trousers Tube Ride is back, and some brave Londoners will be riding the Tube without trousers.
This quirky tradition, first introduced in London in 2009, was inspired by New York City’s “No Pants Subway Ride,” a cheeky event that began in 2002. What started as a small prank with just seven participants has blossomed into a global event, with cities like Stockholm, Prague, Berlin, and Jerusalem joining in the fun over the years.
The concept is amazingly simplistic: attendees would dress normally to be in ordinary attire: coat, scarf, hat; pants-less, but would read the paper or scroll on their cell phone while waiting, oblivious of anyone’s consternation. Here is the Improv Everywhere, the collective which conceived of this original project’s own synopsis, “The participants do not behave as if they know each other… The only unusual thing is their lack of pants.
How to Join the Fun
If you want to join the fun, here’s what you need to know: the trouserless adventure starts at 3 pm. Participants are asked to gather in Chinatown by 2:45 pm, opposite the Old Pagoda site. From there, groups will split and head for the Tube.
Once aboard, the fun truly begins. Wait until you’re given the signal, then casually remove your trousers like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Pro tip: keep it simple with unassuming undies, as organisers are aiming for the vibe of “I forgot my trousers,” not “look at me!”
Well, it’s a cold day out, after all. That’s part of the charm, isn’t it? It’s just a bit of lighthearted silliness to break up the usual commute. So, if you’re up for some harmless mischief in the freezing weather, why not join in?
