During my trips to NYC, I never encountered anything out of the ordinary on the subway, but that’s probably not the usual experience. If you need proof, look no further than the Seinfeld episode where Elaine gets stuck on the train, and George’s meet-cute spirals into a total nightmare. Classic chaos.
TikTok user @raab.angie, however, got the quintessential NYC subway adventure: a journey filled with enough bizarre moments to rival a fever dream. In just one trip, Angie witnessed a medley of wild scenarios: someone screaming along to music through headphones, another person dressed as a cat holding flowers, and even SpongeBob himself riding the subway. But that’s not all—a snake made a surprise appearance, a Christmas tree somehow became a wearable outfit, and a man casually pushed a couch out of a subway car.
The highlight (or lowlight, depending on your tolerance for weirdness)? A rat crawling all over a sleeping passenger. While Angie’s followers were fixated on the rodent’s antics, comments revealed how much this encapsulates NYC subway life. One person summed it up: “New York subway trips be like fever dreams.” Another quipped, “The fact that everyone seemed so nonchalant about the snake??!” Angie noted that one woman did look uneasy near the snake, which is a much more relatable reaction. Personally, I’d be off at the next stop.
But let’s circle back to the rat. Was it a pet? Just a random subway rider? Either way, rats are a staple of NYC transit lore. If you’re curious about their whereabouts, the New York Post points to the NYC Subway Rat Detector feature in the Transit app, which highlights hotspots. The 191st Street 1 train line holds the dubious honor of being the most rat-infested. If you’re not already unnerved, Columbia University scientists analyzed 133 rats and found an unsettling mix of protozoa, viruses, and bacteria lurking on them. So, that’s lovely.
Despite the oddities, many New Yorkers rely on the subway as a daily necessity. With 472 stations and around 3.6 million daily riders, according to the MTA, it’s no surprise that regular commuters might see their share of SpongeBobs, Christmas trees, and wayward rodents. Angie’s experience is par for the course when navigating the city’s iconic underground.
Even without colorful characters, subway rides can come with their own drama. In December 2024, 3,500 riders in Brooklyn were stranded when the power cut out. And, of course, there’s the ever-present risk of delays—nothing ruins a morning quite like being stuck between stations.
Angie’s subway journey left me reflecting on my own city’s rat situation. Toronto seems to be seeing an uptick in the furry intruders, with reports of them invading offices and homes. Meanwhile, Alberta proudly boasts a no-rat policy, with authorities ensuring the pests never get comfortable. Who knew it could be that simple?
Here’s hoping Angie’s destination was worth the surreal subway ride—because after seeing snakes, couches, and confident rats, she definitely earned a fun day out.