Was this subway passenger exfoliating her foot being disrespectful—or just unaware?

You think you've seen everything on public transport—then an eight-second video lands and leaves you questioning humanity.

A woman calmly exfoliating her foot on a packed New York subway carriage made viewers recoil in disbelief.

Fellow passengers stared in horror as skin flakes accumulated beneath her feet.

The clip quickly went viral on social media, sparking hundreds of shocked reactions.

One social media user described the act as 'trashy behaviour' that seemed almost deliberate, while others called it 'wild,' 'classless,' and 'one of the grossest things I've ever seen.'

Etiquette expert Kate Heussler didn't hold back, calling it 'the perfect example of what not to do in a shared space,' and emphasised that such personal grooming activities risked making others both uncomfortable and concerned about hygiene.

Not Just an Overseas Issue

But this isn’t just an overseas issue.

Australians have also witnessed bizarre and unhygienic behaviour on their own trains, trams, and buses.

In Sydney, a teenage boy received a full professional haircut—complete with hairdresser's cape—during a morning commute near Richmond, leaving fellow passengers bewildered.

One witness shared online: 'The haircut was so terrible.'

Earlier this year, pet owners were spotted letting their small dogs sit directly on light rail seats, despite Transport NSW regulations stating pets must be confined in boxes or baskets and cannot occupy seats.

Transport etiquette in Australia is simple.

Don’t take up more than one seat when others are standing and keep feet off seats.

Personal grooming activities like nail clipping are explicitly discouraged.

Offer seats to elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers.

Use headphones and keep device volumes down.

Maintain good personal hygiene by using deodorant and brushing teeth daily.

For older commuters, especially those over 60, the thought of dead skin on shared surfaces is particularly troubling in a post-COVID world.

While masks aren’t mandatory on most Australian transport anymore, many still remain alert about hygiene.

Vaping on buses, loud device use, and oblivious behaviour continue to frustrate fellow travellers.

Transport NSW Guidelines

Transport NSW guidelines encourage courtesy to make public transport 'more enjoyable and safer for everyone.'

Passengers are advised to make room for others, avoid blocking doors or aisles, carry backpacks properly, and generally consider fellow commuters’ comfort.

Threatening, offensive, or unsafe behaviour can attract fines, though whether foot exfoliation counts is debatable.

Some psychologists suggest that shameless public grooming comes from pure selfishness or disregard for social norms.

One etiquette guide noted: 'The thing about public transport and shared spaces is that they are as bearable as we make them. We're all in this together (often elbow to elbow, back to back), and the way we treat each other is the difference between having a peaceful trip and deciding the $80 Uber is actually worth it.'

If you witness disturbing behaviour, report serious incidents to staff or police.

For minor issues, a polite 'Excuse me, that's not appropriate on public transport' may suffice, though safety should always come first.

Avoid filming others for social media, as it can feel invasive and demeaning.

The bottom line is straightforward: 'Good etiquette on public transport is simple: be clean, be quiet, and be aware of the people around you.'

If the thought of public grooming on trains left you shocked, you’re not alone—there are plenty of real-life stories highlighting the kinds of behaviour commuters sometimes encounter.

From unusual personal habits to outright unhygienic actions, some passengers seem to completely disregard social norms in shared spaces.

For another striking example of what can go wrong on public transport, check out this revealing account.

Read more: ‘Can’t believe I have to say this’: Commuters call out public transport disgusting habits

Have you witnessed shocking behaviour on public transport lately? Share your most memorable experiences and survival tips for dealing with inconsiderate fellow travellers.