I don't think they're frightening at all Kevin. Maybe you haven't ridden the subway to know that when millions of people a day travel through this huge commuter network they don't have on the same expressions as they would if they were entering a museum or a restaurant or even their workplaces. The subway is an efficient place, where you try to pay attention to any risks that might confront you, but mostly you just go about your business.

I'm impressed with how efficiently each of them manages the things they're carrying and the metro card. Twenty years ago you'd see them dropping a token into a slot and moving forward. Now they usually have cards with several rides paid for, so wallets are involved. A lot of these folks look like they're going to work. I think you're reading too much into expressions in a place where one doesn't generally interact with other people, they're intent with their race to catch the train.

SRS