We all have moments at least once in our lives where independent street dancers come aboard random subway trains, dance their butts off to receive money from other fellow passengers. I managed to develop the art of ignoring. Living in New York City for quite a long time can do this to you. I'm no longer fazed by these subway dancers when they pop up on random occasions, do their hobbies or jobs, and leave.
However, everyone is different and some people can never ignore their actions. Instead, they retaliate in their own shape and form. You know that saying. You need to think before you act. Well some people's mindset is the other way around. That was the case with this subway incident.
I was on my way home after getting on the 4 train on Union Square to take me to the Bronx where I reside. I was too engulfed in reading and highlighting important notes from a book I was using as research for a science fiction novel I was working. When the doors closed my eyes caught a glimpse of three guys wearing nothing but jogging pants and a white undershirt. In one of their hands was a speakerbox. It was when I knew in that moment that these were subway dancers and all passengers were about to encounter another moment of random performances.
I didn't pay attention to any of the passengers sitting beside me. My mind was focused on two things; my book and the subway dancers. When the doors closed the drama began.
The dancers stopped at no time to begin the show. As always, they begin with greeting the passengers. The passenger next to me didn't accept the handshake while I did. Then the dance begin. To make a long story short, there was this one trick where the dancer had his cap on his foot. Then he raise his foot to the flip the cap so it could land on his hand. That didn't go so well with the passenger.
He raised up and threatened to hurt the dancer. He said that if he hit him or his wife, there was going to be a problem. I finally got the chance to pay attention to who I was sitting next to. It was this tattooed biker type of guy. A real bad boy who didn't appear to get into a fight. As it appeared a fight was going to occur, it what was happening during the situation that really surprised me.
Instead of trying to keep them away from each other, passengers got out of their seats and ran to the end of the train like a bunch of scaredy cats. I was surprised by their instant reaction. Did the situation regarding the two guys faze me? Of course, but not to the point where I wanted to run away. So I stayed in my seat and went nowhere. It wasn't my situation, so those two know not to mess with me unless they wanted another person involved in the situation.
We eventually made it to the next stop and everyone got off. Someone did jump in to stop them but that was when the train stopped. Eventually, everyone left and things were normal. I continued to work. So that happened. In the end, this is my perspective. In the event that a scuffle like this happens, I don't just jump and run away. I don't show fear of any kind when it comes to situations. Now if weapons were involved, then I would back off.
In my opinion, here is my advice and conclusion regarding vulnerable New York City pedestrians. GET A BACKBONE!
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