There's not much that surprises New Yorkers, and even less that will stop them in their tracks.
But even the most jaded of city dwellers will pause at the sight of a giant rat dancing on a pole in the subway.
Only in New York could this happen.
New Yorkers can tell you that running across the occasional rat is just part of life in the Big Apple. Spotting one scurrying across the subway tracks can even liven up an otherwise uneventful commute.
Some like Pizza Rat have even achieved celebrity status throughout the city.
But New Yorkers weren't ready for what one traveler caught on video during a ride in an otherwise empty subway car.
From a safe distance across the car the onlooker recorded as a giant rodent slide up and down the rails like it was working a pole on the main stage, and the disturbing legend of "Pole Dancing Rat was born.
The video which has now gone viral was originally posted to the @SubwayCreatures Instagram account as part of their "What the L" video contest with Blue Point Brewing.
The winning submission netted IG user @seebaass_ a free MetroCard for a year, though who knows if that can make up for the emotional scarring caused by witnessing a rat do a pole dance.
Predictably the video has divided viewers. While some were ready to burn the city to the ground and start over others saw it as a testament to the dirty magic of the city.
Sure the rent is too high, the whether is awful and it smells just about everywhere, but it seems pole dancing rats is where some people draw the line.
This is my “why I’m leaving NYC” story https://t.co/UT0tHLlA5T— Rachelle D'nae (@Rachelle D'nae)1559146813.0
@heyydnae At this point you just have to set the whole train on fire. I don't make the rules.— AJ (@AJ)1559147590.0
@RT_com NY is the most disgusting city I have ever been to— Bobo N1 (@Bobo N1)1559255478.0
@heyydnae @GloriaPazmino Giving a whole new meaning to the “rat race”— Truth Hertz (@Truth Hertz)1559173487.0
People always don’t get why i have no interest in visiting NY. I just seen a rat pole dancing on a subway. Thanks but I’ll stay in TX.— Loquita (@Loquita)1559313662.0
@heyydnae I've ridden the NYC subway for more than 50 years, and that's... new. With the emphasis on "Ew."— Donna Hazel (@Donna Hazel)1559176115.0
For many locals though pole dancing rodents is all just a part of the filthy charm of New York.
Giant 'Pole Dancing' Rat Performs for and Disgusts Commuters on New York Subway in Viral Video https://t.co/GtE95ljp5d— People (@People)1559357244.0
@heyydnae Pole dancing rat is my “why im staying in New York” story— n👀b (@n👀b)1559161472.0
@heyydnae This is my "why I'm moving to NYC" story— Judy [Rat illustration] Cotter (@Judy [Rat illustration] Cotter)1559156937.0
@heyydnae The bright side: looks like there are open seats near the rat.— amanda halm (@amanda halm)1559161047.0
@heyydnae Alternating between "come on little fella, you got this!" and 🤮🤮🤮— Margit Detweiler (@Margit Detweiler)1559154628.0
@liamstack @heyydnae @ivadixit Just needs its boombox for its routine— norton (@norton)1559155260.0
After all, rodent strippers have to eat too and New Yorkers will always respect the grind.
@heyydnae Aww c’mon, that rat is just trying to earn some Benjamins up on that pole. It’s probably a single mom wit… https://t.co/1GhrF7g7Em— Mindy Robinson 🇺🇸 (@Mindy Robinson 🇺🇸)1559160471.0
@iheartmindy @heyydnae Or four turtles— Daddy Drees (@Daddy Drees)1559160790.0
@daddydrees @iheartmindy @heyydnae Life have been tough on master splinter. And pizza prices have skyrocketed...— Khalid G. Khair (@Khalid G. Khair)1559217098.0
@RT_com Edited out was the drunk frat boys yelling "take it off".— Uncledaddy (@Uncledaddy)1559261870.0
@heyydnae Well, did anyone pay him? He can't work for free. https://t.co/RIFykshht5— Tastefully Decorated Napkin (@Tastefully Decorated Napkin)1559176611.0
@heyydnae either a firefighter, a stripper, or both, no matter what it is I’m proud of her— Astronaut Mark Watney🌍 (@Astronaut Mark Watney🌍)1559243479.0
But maybe think twice about what you hold on to the next time you're on the subway.
@onesarahjones i don't think i'll ever touch the poles again?— Rachelle D'nae (@Rachelle D'nae)1559147215.0