As 'Russkaya Germaniya' notes, the essence of the flash mob is simple: people agree on a certain day and go down to the subway dressed for the weather, in jackets, hats, gloves, but supposedly 'forgetting' to put on pants or a skirt. The event usually takes place in mid-winter and, oddly enough, the participants are not at all afraid of the cold.
The main condition is to behave naturally to cause even more bewilderment among ordinary passengers. In response to surprised questions, participants must come up with a funny answer. For example, to exclaim: 'Damn, I really am without pants! I didn't even notice!' or say: 'I never wear pants, it's my style,' 'My dog ate my pants, so I had to go without them.'
The flash mob is not a protest, has no underlying agenda, and is conducted just for fun. The idea for such an event was born in New York 15 years ago. Then seven jokers from the art team Improv Everywhere calmly rode the subway without pants. In 2003, 30 people already took part in the flash mob, including several girls. With each subsequent year, the number of participants grew.
And in 2006, because of this action, a train was even stopped, and the police detained the participants. But they couldn't make them pay a fine – in New York, the law does not prohibit walking in underwear on the street. However, the following year, the police remained as peaceful observers: they were present at the event and kept order, but did not try to arrest anyone. In 2009, the flash mob gained international scale and 20 cities around the world joined.
In Germany, this action is no less popular: this year about 2,000 German passengers 'forgot' to put on pants before leaving home. German subway employees treat the action with humor: 'Passengers can wear whatever they want if they consider it comfortable and beautiful. The main thing is that they always have a ticket.'
Moscow police officers, on the contrary, took the action very seriously. In Moscow, such a flash mob took place for the first time. Despite the cold weather, several dozen brave souls were found. After the first photos and videos 'Without Pants' appeared online, the police began checking and searching for flash mob participants. The organizer of the action in Moscow, Mark Vesely, had to write an explanatory note at the police station. They had a preventive conversation with him and let him go in peace, even without a fine.
The Russian public did not appreciate the flash mob. And the 'Communists of Russia' party even called the action 'a Western-inspired dissident movement' and accused participants of violating the law and generally accepted moral norms. The party intends to fight the emergence of 'new punks and rockers.'
And is it worth it?