April 2, 2008
Subway Seat Hog Subset Man-sitters, Beware!
The NYC Transit's Rules of Subway/Bus Conduct note that it is a violation to:
Place one's foot on the seat of a subway, bus, or platform bench; occupy more than one seat or place bags on an empty seat when doing so would interfere with transit operations or the comfort of other customers.And while mansitting is indeed behavior that interferes with the comfort of other customers, sometimes it comes so naturally to subway riders that others are driven to create logos like this. Next, we hope for the "No Jerks Who Don't Give Up Their Seats to the Elderly, Disabled, Pregnant or People with Kids" logo, but that might take a little while longer.
And there's the "Close Your Damn Legs on the Subway So I Can Sit Down Already!!! Group" on Facebook. Motto: Your junk isn't that large. Close 'em up!
Update:
"No Man-Sitting" logo designer Catherine Weaver sent us a revised logo--this one "looks more like the ones on the train". Thanks, Catherine (and David Kaplan!).
And the implicit warning is that riders are onto you, man-sitters!
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The real problem are the retards that take one step into the subway car and stop, leaving a dozen people on the platform to push past them or get left behind.
Yeah, man-sitting sucks, and this is from a dude. Annoying.
However, I've seen just as many women ignore standing preggo's as I've seen men. Even more so on the F train, I believe. Sometimes people just don't notice, especially in heavy-coat season, but I've seen others who look to the tummy, then look down.
What about "no leaning against the pole on a crowded train."
I hate mansitters. Usually it's the homeboys who feel the need to spread out.
But I guess if one's extremely fat then they too coud be guilty of taking up more than one seat. Maybe fat people should only ride subways with bench style seating?
And I see nothing wrong to NOT giving up ne's seat to People with kids. Especially the kid, and especially during rush hour.
Look, if you want to traipse all over NYC with your spawn, and you want to rid ethe subway at rush hourm then don't expect a seat, especially from someone who has just worked 8,9,10 hours and is decades older than your child. The child should stand, it will teach them fortitude.
People who also suck are fatasses that squeeeeeeeeze into a seat and then give you a look as if to say, "What, Jerky... can't you move over anymore?"
No bitch, I can't. This is because (a) I can actually fit into my seat with no spillage and (b) the displacement caused by your large booty has caused me to splat against the wall/partition like a mosquito on a windshield.
interesting, I never seen a white guy man sit but that photo takes the cake. not only is he man-sitting but taking the middle seat forcing people to squeeze into him leaving little space to the sides. I suspect he's a perv and he needs to iron his shirt.
Oh I just hate when that happens. It's almost as bad as the wankers that take their coat off and place it on the bar stool next to them and are surprised when you want to sit there. No that's OK, just leave it there and I'll leave a couple of good beer farts on it so you remember the night.
I am 7 months pregnant and now that it is really obvious I have to say I am disappointed by how often no one gives me a seat, but especially by the number of times that its an older woman or a man with a cane who gets up instead of the 25 year old ipod-wearing man-sitter beside them.
And amen about the no leaning against the pole. I hate that!
Reality Czech:
Word. The kids never want to sit anyway. They're always hopping up or twisting so they can see out of the window behind them or kicking seats.
A corrolary to this is when a person brings a kid w/ a stroller on the train. I've seen too often that the adult leaves the stroller fully open but yet has the kid sit in one of the seats. So not only are they taking up hella space, but their precious snowflake is also hogging a precious rush hour seat.
despite the pic above, I believe the correct term is "thug-sitting".
I dunno, I've seen mansitters of all ages, races and creeds. I don't think it's a cultural thing -- just a gender thing. However, if I were to make a cultural distinction, the Chinese are far and away the LEAST considerate subway riders (although mansitting is not one of their transgressions).
They shove onto the subway to grab a seat before anyone gets off, completely block the stairways when exiting so that no one can go down them to get the train sitting there... hell, I saw one lady have her 4-year-old son piss onto the subway platform at Grand Street a few months ago. Um, that's incredibly gross!
EastRiver: yeah, I hate those people who step in and then go no further. I take the 7 train one stop from Bryant Park to Grand Central every morning... and everyone gets into the last car so they can go right up the escalators. There's ALWAYS one person who maneuvers to get on the train first, and then just stands in the door so everyone else (also just going one stop) has to get around him/her. It's like, would it kill you to step in 5 feet and get out of the train 5 seconds later?? Or to get into the train LAST so as to stand near the door? I actually pointed this out to a guy who did that the other day, and I could hear him complaining to someone else about me after that. Get a life, dude.
I always give my seat to pregnant women on the subway if I notice they are pregnant. I think the problem is that, immersed in our own thoughts/iPods/books, we don't always look at every single person getting on the train...
LOL amsci. I love the getting dirty look after getting a nice slab of dimpled thigh and derrierre squashed up on me. And I always have to get up for the preggos and oldies while the man-sitters pretend to sleep.
Other good ones are the backpack wallop in the gut and newspaper/book resting on my head/shoulder. Nothing says subway commute like being treated as human bookshelf.
So let me get this straight...you, as a woman got fucked, and now you're pregnant. I've been working all day standing on my feet and yet I'm supposed to morally feel obliged to give a pregnant woman my seat because...?
Also, I spread my legs on the train because for some reason when my balls are all aired out like that, I don't get like random itches that need to be scratched, I don't want to be on the train while people are looking at me picking at the itch on my balls.
Third, more often than men I see women neglect to hold doors for people, push through, stand in front of the doors when people still need to get off the train, and act entitled more than men because they EXPECT that other people should be courteous to them. It's 2008 ladies, you want equality then man the fuck up and give respect, then maybe you'll receive it in return.
They should give out tickets for man-sitting. Civilians should be able to give them out, like a citizen's arrest. Contrary to some others on here, I see all kinds of people, including women, man-sitting. Just people sprawling out their bodies with no regard for the people around them or those sitting in the adjoining seats.
And totally agree with the first commentor. How often do you encounter someone standing shoulders squared IN FRONT OF THE DOOR to the train during rush hour, like parallel to the door blocking half or more of the entryway when there is a line of people trying to get on, not even making an effort to move to the side at all. These are the real sociopaths.
i hate man-sitters
i hate parents who let their kids sit next to me swinging their legs and kicking me. i know raising a kid is hard, but you chose it, so get the brat under control.
the fat question honestly stumps me... it's annoying that a really fat person takes up two seats... but what can you do (realistically) except to shurg your shoulders and live with it?
while we're on the subject of subway gripes, how about cellphones with speakers- they're the new boomboxes. Honestly, i'd rather not hear Flo Rida blasting out of your shitty little cellphone at 8:30am.
Long-talkers: having a conversation with somebody across the aisle during peak times- i make a point of trying to stand directly in between them.
people who stand in the doorways and just turn sideways (or hey, not at all! why should they have to move??) when the doors open and 10 people are trying to get in.
any band that plays during the morning rush hour. I'm looking at you, Mariachi trio.
the acrobat/breakdancing teenagers on the A train.
Preachers and "outreach co-ordinators" who SCREAM WHEN THEY MAKE THEIR SPEECH.
and of course, conductors who put the PA volume up to 11. one reason why i really like the newest trains in the fleet with the automated announcements.
am 7 months pregnant and now that it is really obvious I have to say I am disappointed by how often no one gives me a seat
So you expect a seat? You should have thought about that before becoming pregnant.
It's not like I wouldn't move my legs if someone wanted to sit. Wahhhhhh, no one gets a seat because too many people ride the train. It has nothing to do with man sitters or people who stand in front of the door. I like the standing by the door because its tougher for people to impose on your personal space. Once I move further into the car, is usually about the time that someone stands like right at my toes and is breathing on my neck. I don't want to be breathed on or smell anyones breath on the train. I paid money to ride the train too. Wahh Wahh Wahh everyones upset they don't get a seat. Good thing congestion pricing will get more people off the roads and onto the trains...
jrod5417- oh man, how could i forget about the backpackers. IT'S A CROWDED TRAIN, TAKE OFF YOUR BACKPACK AND PUT IT ON THE FLOOR.
If you ever see someone sitting on the train like that, make it your business to sit next to them and force the issue. Chances are they will slide over one seat and everybody is happy. Take the physical challenge Bob!
In spite of the headline, there's really nothing in the article about what they should "beware" of... I guess it's the point that it might be a "violation." But come on, no one will ever be ticketed for this.
So, the recommended solution: stand in front of the mansitter, facing the window, holding the bar above him and placing your foot between his. Wait for the train to make a sudden stop, start, or turn. Flex knee and apply.
Oh, and I should have added to the above: don't forget to say "I'm sorry" or "excuse me" after taking that action. It's always important to be polite on the subway.
And I'll add my answer to the people blocking the doors waiting to board while other people are exiting. I played hockey; I can throw a good shoulder check. Spot the target as the doors open, launch through the door, lower the shoulder into the chest. And again, "excuse me."
I was on the L train late one night heading home and had my foot propped up on the seat next to me. There were about 3 other people on the train. I got a ticket.
I like the standing by the door because its tougher for people to impose on your personal space.
BULLSHIT! You like to stand by the door so that you will have a place to lean against. Try and understand English, like when the condutor says, "Move all the way into the cars!"
True story:
Union Square, going to Astoria. Only girl in a group of 5 guys from work.
Get into the car, and there is one guy who is just splayed out.
I asked him "Pardon me sir, do you have big balls?"
He looks at me as if I am an alien, and says 'What?"
"I said, DO YOU HAVE BIG BALLS?"
"Uh, no"
"Well, how about closing your damn legs so I can f**king sit down"
My friend Mike starts laughing and says "She's got the biggest balls of all"
I got my seat.
I agree that backpacks (and bags in general) during rush hour are most annoying. Put the friggin thing on the floor.
There used to be ads on the trains in the 90s telling people to take them off during rush hours.
I can't imagine how people don't realize their bag is pushing people on a crowded train, but its getting much worse, especially as backpack laptop bags are gaining popularity.
BRING THE COURTESY ADS BACK.
I like to sit next to mansitters, and snuggle right up, thigh to thigh. Give 'em the gay creeps (though I'm straight, actually.) Most will not adjust their position - you can't *acknowledge* that you don't really need to sit like that, after all - and so it becomes a game of chicken until they get to their stop.
how about those people who think that they can claim the seat right in front of you and give you a dirty 'i saw it first' look!!!!
asshole, i saw it first because ive been peeking down this girl's blouse for the last 47 stops!!!
you want a seat? just stand in front of an oriental, they all get off at Canal st.
want a seat uptown, stand in front of a white guy, they all get off by and go no farther than 96th st.
haha,
i ride a bike
you people are losers.
@ Reality Czech Umm "Move all the way into the cars means don't block the door from closing, it does not say move away from the door so the next schmuck who gets on the train can stand there.
Also, yeah I want to lean on the door, there's no other place to comfortably read the paper (except for the door in between cars) No one gives a fuck about me so why should I be courteous to strangers. Me being nice makes no difference other than make me feel like an idiot for being nice to someone. The only thing I get for being nice and courteous to people is the unpleasant feeling that they would'nt be courteous to me in return.
And yet I'm still courteous to everyone I encounter. I move completely out of the train when I'm standing in front of the door, I move my legs closer together when people sit down next to me, I hold doors for other people when they exit the station, I don't push or have any of my belongings invading anothers space, I don't breathe down the necks of other people, I give up my seat to anyone who appears as though they might need a break. I do these things because I believe they're the right things to do. How many of you can say the same?
I particularly love the people that don't just have normal backpacks, but those full-size "I'm trekking across Europe" dealies that extend beyond the tops of their heads.
Get real, people. How could you not be whacking someone with that shit on a crowded train?
In terms of dealing with enormous people on the subway, this raises the question: which is the better seat design - the one with predefined ass grooves or the flat bench?
Gwinny: based on your other comments, it seems like you have a serious issue with Chinese people
Greetings from the SFist side. I was just in New York last week and I totally understand what you are talking about. As a guy, I totally understand the boundaries of riding on the subway, and I'm no mansitter on a crowded train. If it's empty, I might hog just a little more space, but not too much.
As for those people who stand next to the door and don't move when the train opens the doors, I wanted to just go on a cuss rant and tell them to get the f*** off the damn train and let the people get off. Hell, there's another express train in a couple of minutes, why not wait and be the first in line at the platform?
I have never seen anyone white do this..
Any man over twenty who still wears a backpack is a child.
jaycjay- Ihave used the shoulder check many a time on door blockers and it is quite effective.
Kino- I think the flat bench is inferior because only six people can fit on them (less if there are several fatties).
NYC Transit's Rules of Conduct would disqualify most fat people from sitting down on the train.
I only have ever had to yell at one person who was standing in front of the door and wouldn't move when the door opened, and I think he or she was just retarded and didn't understand it was a doorway.
This is why I like the E train -- long bench seats with no predefined asscracks.
Need to start a no slouching campaign.
What I hate most on the subway is when people put their hair on you tho.
Mansitting IS a cultural thing!
I frequently commute from Jamaica Queens, and I monitor certain culturally similar people mansit and not even move when someone wants to sit in the next seat. Someone would sit next, and the guy would not even try to look like he is squeesing his legs closer.
I believe it is the penis thing - they want to show that their "thing" is so big that the legs cannot be put together and need to be spread as wide as the buggy pants allow (whch btw are held at the "thing" level and by the "thing").
Another thing that bothers me greatly is this:
a jamaica.queens person sits on a crowded train, with a dozen of caucasian women and elderly in the closest vicinity. When it is this person's stop, he/she would look around, find someone from similar culture, it could be accross the train 20 feet away, and call that person to take his/her seat. Some kind of brotherhood.
I am not a racist, just some things that strike me on my every subway commute.
or or how about this one... ah shit its real funny
repair the goddamn tracks and fix the signaling and whatever the fuck controls traffic,
so there are enough trains that come on time
also add some real sharp blades on the doors, so that when they close the person between doors gets the arm clean straight cut - easy to suture!
how about this one: whoever is at the door has the responsibility to punch/push/shove if anyone tries to enter while the doors are closing.
"man sitting" is a medically recommended position to keep the hips relaxed and less stress on the hip joints.
Jesus Fucking Christ - its a city of 7 million+ people... of course there's going to be some assholes who block doors and sit or stand in a rude way! Say excuse me and move on. No need to dwell on something petty like this! There's too many real problems in the world.
you guys are all complaining about man-sitters but the real problem is frequency of train service. If you actually had trains on time and every 5-10 minutes then Man-stiiting wouldn't be a problem cause the trains would'nt be packed to the brim. If there were no man-sitters in a crowded train it would still be uncomfortable as fuck regardless. Ever been in a train during rush hour armpit to armpit? it sucks no matter what. sitting down sucks, standing sucks. Just being in close proximity to old people and poor people with bad hygiene and minorities. GROSS!
Why not just be an adult and ask if he could move over so you could sit down? You'd be surprised how much more effective that is than passive-aggressive moping.
I just got into a fight on the Slog (closest Seattle Gothamist equivalent, sorry Seattlest) about how subways in New York are better than busses in Seattle.
The busses in Seattle are full of crazy people and mainly driven by angry/weird people. I sometimes fear for my safety. BUT I have never felt like I was on a cattle car in the same way I did in New York.
So I guess it's a toss-up.
i prefer the molded seats to the benches. reminds people that 8 adults of a healthy BMI shoudl be able to sit there. people tend to spread out more on the benches, and yes, about 6 people is what i usually see on the older model E/C/A trains.
the A trains with the three/four/three molded seat configuration actually squeeze in 10 people in the space that six normally
In the interest of full disclosure, my balls are actually that big.
I know that this is not a specifically a race issue as I have seen all races commit this infraction on the subway and buses. I usually attribute it to the airing out of the balls, but more often than not the seat hogging offenders have the only attitude when you ask them to move so that you may sit in the seat next to them. Overall courtesy on public transportation is an anomaly unfortunately.
I totally agree BabyHitler, people are different. Some people are rude assholes while others aren't. The point is, if trains were less crowded than none of us would have to hate eachother for our differences because there would be enough room for every asshole to have their own space. FUCK THE MTA. They make millions and millions a day and yet they raise prices and give us shitty service.
If all you whining hipsters who post here would just like get the f-up earlier, instead of getting on the train at 9:30 am to go to your "job", the trains arent so damn crowded at 7.
-signed old fart who gets up early.
And as a guy with a small penis, I hate mansitters!
Actually, I understand that the benches are meant to hold 7 people. Just too many fat people these days.
Everyone just needs to be more conscientious of the space they occupy. No need to be exceptionally polite.
But, yes, on a crowded train, you need to stand for very pregnant ladies, very elderly people, and people with injuries/disabilities. I'll always do this, despite how tired or sore I am. It's called being civilized.
i HATE pole lean-ers. i love the ones who acknowledge that you are there and then arch their back so you have enough room for your hand in the small space between their back and the pole. i stern "EXCUSE ME" usually makes them move, but they are always soooo inconvenienced by it all.
also, i hate to say it, but i agree with whoever it was that commented about old asian dudes being the worst. i don't know how many times i've been pushed out of the way for them to get a seat. or even just to get off the train. plus, they usually are the worst about stinky foodstuffs.
i also get pretty irritated at the peop