Amid the grit and grime of the New York City subway, one man is bringing some fun to commuters.
Thomas Knox, 28, sets up a pop-up booth at various Manhattan subway stations for people to sit down for a chat or a game while they wait for their train, CBS New York reported. Called “Date While You Wait,” Knox hopes his project will bring joy to travelers’ days.
“I wanted to do something positive, so I was like, you know what? I’m just going to set up a table, and you know, sit down and have a conversation with people,” he told the news outlet.
Posted by Date While You Wait on Thursday, July 2, 2015
Knox first gained attention for his project in June, when he took to Manhattan's Union Square subway stop with a foldout table and two photographers in tow to record the event, DNAinfo reported.
The project gained traction, with July 2 being the third session of “Date While You Wait,” the New York Times reported. Though Knox’s sign touts the initiative as a date, he says his intention is simply for people to have a positive social interaction.
“I am not looking for love through this particular channel,” he told the Times.
Uh oh, got some tough competition! #datewhileyouwait pic.twitter.com/o21SXPCTOr
— Date While You Wait (@datewhileuwait) July 2, 2015
Sitting across from Knox at a small table decorated with flowers in soda bottle, guests are invited to play board games, like Connect Four or to just talk.
“I just want you to have a conversation. Talk to me, tell me a little bit about yourself, tell me how your day went,” Knox told CBS New York. “I feel like I’ve had some really good connections, one on one.”
The location for the project remains a secret until Knox tweets out which subway stop he'll be set up at. Guests are then invited to share their experience using the hashtag #datewhileyouwait.
Your subway experience is about to be way better....see you all at 6pm at the W 4th St ACE stop!
— Date While You Wait (@datewhileuwait) June 23, 2015
According to The New York Times, Knox has been invited to share his project in Philadelphia, Atlanta and cities in the U.K., with hopes for a big five-borough New York tour early this fall.
Coming soon... The #datewhileyouwait five borough tour!!! I'm coming for you all! #brooklyn #statenisland #bronx #manhattan #queens
Posted by Date While You Wait on Friday, July 3, 2015
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