I remember the first time I rode the subway next to a woman without pants. That’s right, without pants.

As I climbed the stairs to the E Train at Penn Station, I noticed a woman ahead of me wearing a winter coat, hat, fuzzy gloves and boots – but no pants. Odd, I thought to myself, but hey, this is New York. I kept walking.

A little way up the platform I came across another woman similarly un-clad. Again, I thought – super odd. But I boarded the train next to her.

The whole idea had me giggling all the way to my office. When I shared my morning experience, in return my colleagues shared No Pants Subway Ride day. Crazy New York I thought – but then learned that this happens all over the world. Who could have imagined?

I then started looking forward to No Pants Day every year. I’m pretty sure I’ve blogged about the experience before.

But here we are in the strangest year imaginable and No Pants Day has just been canceled. I agree that it makes sense not to spread COVID in the subways by encouraging ridership, but still, I admit to being disappointed.

Here’s to enjoying New Yorkers with their pants off in 2021!