New York Subway

 
 
 

Vocabulary

subway	mixture	generation
prefer	crowded	rush hour
tension	compel	tablet
pity	accept	endless
support

 
 
 
 
 

Video: New York Subway

 
 
 
 

Transcript

I’ve been working in the New York Subway since 2008. In 2008, when I entered a car, I could see 30 books.

And when I’m entering a car now, I can see four or six books.

My name is Reinier Gerritsen. I’m a photographer, and this is my latest book, called The Last Book.

The New York Subway is so great. It’s such a beautiful mixture of people … and generations … and colors … and characters.

It’s so unbelievably rich.

Most of the time I shoot during rush hours, in very crowded situations. It’s what I prefer.

It’s a very special place because you spend a long time in it. And you’re standing very close to each other.

And it gives a very special tension.

I think one of the reasons why people read books is create a distance between themselves and other passengers.

I think a lot of people like to read books to show that “I am reading this book.” It’s almost a kind of like clothing. This is me; this book is me.

When someone is reading from a book, we see and think, “Ah he is reading this; or she is reading that.” It makes it so compelling.

But when someone is reading a tablet, well we don’t know what he is reading.

It’s a pity.

After a few days of shooting, I feel that I have become part of the subway car. And then I feel very natural.

That’s what’s so special about New York.

People are so friendly. And they accept it.

They like books and they too support it. I document it.

The internet is endless.

And the book is one piece of art between two covers. And that makes a book so special.

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 Questions

1. Reinier Gerritsen is a subway conductor or ticket controller. Is this true or false?

2. Does he love or hate New York City and the subway? Why is he fascinated by New York and the subway?

3. He prefers to ride an empty, uncrowded subway. Is this right or wrong? When is his favorite time to ride the subway?

4. What is he especially interested in? What does he say about the books people read?

5. When did Reinier Gerritsen start photographing on subways? Has he noticed a any changes beginning in 2011?

6. Is he thrilled or a bit disappointed about this change?

7. He feels very connect and part of the subway trains. Is this correct or incorrect?
 
 
A. Do you ride a subway, underground, tube or metro to work? How would you describe it?

B. What do people do on the subway?

C. Is the subway an iconic part of your city?

D. Do lots of people read books in parks, subways and public places, or do they play with their devices?

E. What will happen in the future? Will more people commute by subway more often? Will the subway system expand?