Seen on the Subway

I saw two separate acts of kindness on the subway recently:


1. A middle-aged Asian man gently reached over to the diminutive Indian girl beside him and adjusted the strap of her tank top which had slid off her shoulder. It wasn't sexual or creepy in any way. It was a fatherly gesture--something I have never seen between strangers. She wasn't the least bit offended. She merely smiled and nodded, then went back to listening to her music.

2. A blind, female, African-American panhandler was soliciting subway patrons for food, cash, or clothing. The red-headed man beside me prior to disembarking at 77th street took off his hoodie and handed it to her. He gently clasped her arm and pressed the shirt off his back into her hand. Without saying another word he exited with his companions into the balmy evening.

For all the instances of subway rage and impolite subway behavior, these two incidents have renewed my faith in my fellow New York dwellers. It was touching to see humanity that close up!