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Re-enactment of pole-hogging behavior
During the lively debate spurred by our man-sitting post yesterday, quite a few readers complained about pole hoggers/ pole leaners. So, we bring you another logo, designed by Catherine Weaver.
Sometimes pole obstructing straphangers get into fights, sometimes subway poles are used for dancing. Here's one approach to turning pole huggers into holders.
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I do that, what's the problem if it's not crowded?
there's plenty of pole for everyone...
...in my pants!!!
If there's no one else there, there is nothing wrong with hugging the pole? Are sub-clinical? If someone wants to use the pole I would let them. Geez man, this is NYC.
these people annoy me too, so i grab the pole with my knuckles pointed right at their backs, usually they move when my fist digs into them.
Isn't that stick figure's feet a bit high off the ground (assuming the bottom of the pole is assumed to be attached to the ground). Is the logo suggesting no clicking heels in midair?
In that case, I agree. There's nothing worse than clicking one's heels in midair while hugging a pole in a subway.
What if somebody's using the pole for dancing? Would that be hogging the pole?
"there's plenty of pole for everyone...
...in my pants!!!"
The Todd? Is that you?
"Am I right? TRANSIT FIVE!!!"
;)
dkstar1:
Maybe it's actually a "No Gene Kelly" sign.
CAUTION: THE PRECEDING BLOG ENTRY IS A BLATANT ATTEMPT TO CAPITALIZE ON THE MASSIVE PAGE VIEWS GENERATED BY A SIMILAR BLOG ENTRY POSTED YESTERDAY.
Since I'm always there supporting you Jen, I'll assume that the higher-ups ordered this one.
Pole-hogging doesn't even make my list of subway peeves. I simply can't remember the last time I was bothered by one.
Related, though, are the people who clog up the area around the first pole and leave the dead center of the car empty. Just 'cause you're out of the doorway doesn't mean your job is done. Pay attention and move the fuck in.
zodak: that's exactly what I do too. Then everytime the train jerks and they move forward, I lower my hand and they slam back into my knuckles. It's very satisfying.
Also, when the trains reaches a stop, look around. Somebody's probably going to want to get off. I swear to god, if you don't make way I am going to freakin' CUT you.
(Just kidding. I don't even ride the train on the average day. Too busy blog-commenting.)
can you get catherine weaver to make a logo for people who put their bags on the seats next to them?
I don't see anything wrong with leaning on the pole...as long as noone else is trying to use it.
I give nary a shit about pole-hogs, but it's the fucking strollers that get my goat. Carry your fucking kid or leave him at home. Why does a child that weighs 10-40 pounds justify taking up the space of 4-5 adults? Two bits...
Zodak: That is a great trick, but that fist-on-back technique works only on pole-leaners, not huggers. Pole-huggers are more resistant.
When you say "pole hoggers," I think of the subway riders who rest their backs on it, not those depicted above who simply have an arm wrapped around it. The people like the ones above often move if you want a piece of the pole, while the back-leaners don't budge at all and are like, "F-ck you." Now THOSE are "pole hoggers."
I usually say to pole-huggers, "If you want to hug a Pole, go to Greenpoint."
you said it Yaotl!
nycat, you're right. with pole huggers you have to grab the pole at face level. if your arm is right in front of their face they'll stop hugging it.
Amazing.
The real problem is that trains are overcrowded.
But somehow the MTA has convinced us that the problem is each other.
Do you actually believe the problem is the way people sit? Or where they stand?
The problem is the trains are overcrowded.
Start blaming the people who are responsible: The MTA.
Stop blaming each other. We're all just trying to get to our destinations comfortably.
Oh yeah, and the term 'man-sitting' is sexist.
Uh...there's an empty seat and an empty pole in that in that pic. Just sayin'.
@9 is totally right.
I still have to add a "me too." What is so wrong with pole-leaning if there are plenty of other seats/polls available? People have such a weird prejudice against this.
Meh, if the train isn't packed, I'll hug the pole rather than touch the subway butter. Once another person approaches, I relent.
If only the L were that empty to hog a pole.
there a "man-sitter" in photo #2 !!!
As others have said, I don't mind polehoggers on an empty train car, as evidenced by the pics. On a packed car, there's no excuse for it.
Also, you can see in the pic on the right that not only is there polehogging, but man-sitting in progress.
Oh, this morning I saw another asshole with his backpack on. As I was getting off the packed train, I took the oppotunity to grab the bottom corner of it and pull it to one side, throwing him off balance. More satisfying than a Snickers.
Rocknrope:
Heh, maybe the MTA should steal Snickers' slogan:
"Not going anywhere for a while?"
Good tip on the backpackers Rocknrope. I learn so much on this blog!
Here's a short list of mass-transiters I hate:
A) The Stop-Shorter: When a bunch of you are running for the train and the guy at the front of the pack STOPS DEAD as soon as he gets into the train instead of continuing to move in, causing everyone behind to bash directly into him.
Actually, that's symptomatic of the larger issue of people who bunch up around the doors instead of moving in and filling in the empty spaces that are farthest away from the doors.
B) People who get on and *off* the bus at the front. Sure, the doors at back the bus are difficult to operate which makes the elderly inherently afraid of them, but getting off in the front does not match the simple natural flow of life - in through the front, out through the back. I mean, you don't stuff food in your mouth and then take a shit out of there too, do you? (Yes, I realize the old and the infirm might have a valid reason for doing this, but otherwise there's no excuse.)
C) People who insist on getting on the train as others are getting off. I'm not talking about when the doors have been open for awhile (10 seconds would consititute "awhile" in this case) - I'm talking about people who do it RIGHT AWAY. Cut that shit out - it's fuckin' rude.
I wish they would just remove those poles altogether -- back when riders were truly "straphangers" there was much more movement into the center of the car. Now, you'd think they were giving away $100 bills at the door or something.
When the 1 pulls into 103rd St in the morning, it looks like a sardine can at the doors -- but look into the windows, and lo and behold, lots of space in the middle. What gives people?
these "everyone do your own little Andy Rooney imitation" items suck.
CR, also people who try to get on the train but CLEARLY wont fit. Or they just make it more miserable than it already is for everyone else (again, more stories from the L train).
I'd go for removing the poles, but then bring back the straps!
Aye, guilty of this - I lean when I can, depending on occupancy.
I can barely reach the straps, not so great for short folks like me. Really hurts your shoulders if you're actually hanging in a moving train.
Oh... and how about the idiots who have to force their way down the stairs when a whole bunch of people just got off the train and are coming up.
Face it you are not going to make the train at that point.
Just wait until it clears and then go down. You will probably have to swipe those crappy metrocards 5 or 6 times anyway.
Just a few days ago I saw a idiot woman tried to make her way down through the disembarking hoard while carrying a baby carriage. Really dumb.
Exactly, nycat. Not everyone can reach straps or the horizontal pole, so those central poles are really needed.
streber makes an excellent point. If the MTA would add more trains and better service, some of the crowding might be eliminated, and these problems wouldn't be as annoying and inconvenient as they are. I hate having to squish into overcrowded train cars but I've done it on occasion. The only reason I do it is because I've usually been waiting for 20 minutes already and I've got absolutely no idea when or if another train is forthcoming, or if it's actually going to stop at my station or go onto another line's route at random.
I'm pregnant, and I often feel like I'm going to pass out on my 30 minute morning commute. I am OBVIOUSLY pregnant. Nine times out of ten, no one gives me a seat. The other day I was standing--as usual--and encountered TWO pole leaners. The first one moved when I said "excuse me." The second lady (she started leaning when I went to put down my bag) wouldn't budge. I held the pole anyway and knuckled her in the back. It was only a little satisfying, because I had to touch her hair, and that was gross. Anyway, I've never wanted to punt someone down a subway car more in my life...
I'll stop hugging the pole when self-styled "thugz" quit sitting with their legs spread so wide they take up three whole fucking seats. For a culture that endorses such ridiculous levels of masculinity you'd think these guys would be averse to being seen in a position synonymous with giving birth or being on bottom in the missionary position.
Wow, this is stupid. Of all the things in the world to get your knickers in a twist about... Anyway, I second berniegoetz's comments.
I have to admit that while I don't hog the poles, I do like to lean against the doors. No need to hold onto anything there. So that makes me at times one of those guys who just turns sideways when the doors open. If only there was a way to move out of the way but still get my spot back after everybody is in.
Coming tomorrow in Gothamist: Door squatters and the people who hate them.
pole hugging is fine if it isn't crowded. Its excellent posture for reading.
this is a dumbassed entry. stopped reading @ 14....
at least wait a week before running a similar entry.
How about the people who lean in silently demanding I get out of their way so they can get off the train before we are even in the station? Chill the f out people, the door is two feet away and I'll let you off the train. I can't possibly be the only one annoyed by this.
Can't wait for the NO CROTCH GRABBING and NO MASTURBATING logos.
One can purchase a portable subway strap in some
catalog somewhere,I saw it with me own eyes.
at what point did I fall asleep in the social commentary? When did passive-aggressive logos become the norm for things you can confront? How about this, you stop sitting like a man and act like one. Just ask some one for some room or a place to put your hand, if they don't oblige then take it out on them, until then keep to yourself you sissy. If you can't speak up I can't hear you!
there is only one correct response to this issue: GO FUCK YOURSELF. i got the pole- you just stand over there and keep your crappy music down. and have a nice day.
if Catherine Weaver had any education in design she would know that he "cross out" is in the wrong direction.
you know this shitty mode of communication called the web validates any asshole. once upon a time people like you just survived and suffered in silence. ah, the good ol' days.
its okay to do many things that take up space when nobody is around. its not okay to do things like this when the train is packed. from the pictures it not that packed.
We have more of a problem with door holders. They are not only rude, but they delay trains and damage the door motors.
And sometimes wrapping your arm around the pole is the only way you can hang on, like when you have a few bags and have to hold them.
I hate how I gotta wait 15-20 minutes for the 6 train on Spring street while it just idles @ the Bklyn Bridge stop (which is only 2 stops away) waiting for more passengers.
Fuck that!
no pole hogging, unless ull do some pole dancing
I'd take berniegoetz's comments very seriously in any discussion about subway behavior.
How about sharpened screwdrivers, what do you think about them?
jesus holy rollin christ, some of y'all really are passive aggressive to the maxx! boo-fucking-hoo. i mean, really, why not just shit in your pants out of frustration like a little baby in the hopes that someone will notice and take you home for a goddamn nap. if someone's bothering you on the train, why don't you just say something? oh, i got it. the fear that the person will just turn around and calmly spit in your face or stick their hands down their pants and flick a pube in your eye. in other words, my personal research team of psychologists and medical examiners state that they are, like, 70-95% sure that y'all got small balls. small balls. and barren, barren ovaries. in conclusion, buy a fucking car. an american car. a good old american fiero just like that steak-ums-smelling, tiny-moustache-having, collarless-silk-shirt-wearing guy who cruises the grade schools at afternoon-recess-time drives. minus the stains of ejaculate all over the interior.
...Eh, in those pics, it looks like there are free seats, so these people aren't really hogging. On a crowded train, yeah, I'd just grab the pole right through them anyway, no big deal. But I agree with 'Mott the Hoople'...why be so passive? This isn't Ohio. Just be have some cajones and push them out of the way and hold the pole. Maybe use a polite 'oh excuse me' if you feel some need to be civil.
The thing that pisses ME off though, is the sudden surge in people snaking cabs. I mean, stepping right in front of you when your arm is up. These are obviously new people to the city because I've seen a few people get pummeled for such an offense back in the day.
Found this in response to these stupid logos. Funny...
http://www.lilsubwaycrybaby.com/