Gothamist: Putting Subway Pole Hoggers on Notice

wer1212

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:37:15 -0500

Found this in response to these stupid logos. Funny... http://www.lilsubwaycrybaby.com/

tingo

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:30:38 -0500

...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.

Mott the Hoople

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:49:18 -0500

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.

JenChungsBra

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:55:02 -0500

I'd take berniegoetz's comments very seriously in any discussion about subway behavior. How about sharpened screwdrivers, what do you think about them?

abc

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:05:30 -0500

no pole hogging, unless ull do some pole dancing

The Edge

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:52:49 -0500

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!

Toby von Meistersinger

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:54:50 -0500

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.

Armchair_warrior

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:59:00 -0500

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.

veeelchop

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:34:46 -0500

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.

edEx

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:30:56 -0500

if Catherine Weaver had any education in design she would know that he "cross out" is in the wrong direction.

veeelchop

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:28:53 -0500

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.

Bottom Feeder

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:08:15 -0500

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!

west side Michael

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:02:40 -0500

One can purchase a portable subway strap in some catalog somewhere,I saw it with me own eyes.

MFer

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:50:53 -0500

Can't wait for the NO CROTCH GRABBING and NO MASTURBATING logos.

desmotic

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:25:09 -0500

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.

Rfive

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:58:42 -0500

this is a dumbassed entry. stopped reading @ 14.... at least wait a week before running a similar entry.

jnguy

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:24:01 -0500

pole hugging is fine if it isn't crowded. Its excellent posture for reading.

Spiritof76

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:30:29 -0500

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.

smallish

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:05:03 -0500

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.

berniegoetz

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:57:38 -0500

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.

bah

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:40:53 -0500

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...

roe

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:20:28 -0500

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.

Pizza_Time

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:15:50 -0500

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.

nycat

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:10:20 -0500

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.

AndrewODonnell

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:59:41 -0500

Aye, guilty of this - I lean when I can, depending on occupancy.

Reality Czech

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:58:35 -0500

I'd go for removing the poles, but then bring back the straps!

palestine

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:57:07 -0500

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).

chuzzlewit

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:54:50 -0500

these "everyone do your own little Andy Rooney imitation" items suck.

MidC Frank

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:54:25 -0500

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?

CR

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:50:14 -0500

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.

JRod5417

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:49:43 -0500

Good tip on the backpackers Rocknrope. I learn so much on this blog!

amsci

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:48:57 -0500

Rocknrope: Heh, maybe the MTA should steal Snickers' slogan: "Not going anywhere for a while?"

Rocknrope

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:39:13 -0500

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.

Stainless_heart

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:31:12 -0500

there a "man-sitter" in photo #2 !!!

palestine

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:31:07 -0500

If only the L were that empty to hog a pole.

Jen S

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:23:06 -0500

Meh, if the train isn't packed, I'll hug the pole rather than touch the subway butter. Once another person approaches, I relent.

Mike D

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:22:16 -0500

@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.

djrobgordon

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:21:22 -0500

Uh...there's an empty seat and an empty pole in that in that pic. Just sayin'.

streber

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:21:13 -0500

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.

zodak

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:19:34 -0500

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.

Reality Czech

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:18:43 -0500

I usually say to pole-huggers, "If you want to hug a Pole, go to Greenpoint."

Gina Gemini

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:18:34 -0500

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."

nycat

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:13:27 -0500

Zodak: That is a great trick, but that fist-on-back technique works only on pole-leaners, not huggers. Pole-huggers are more resistant.

bjornsaucey

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:10:09 -0500

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...

k8trsgray

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:08:53 -0500

I don't see anything wrong with leaning on the pole...as long as noone else is trying to use it.

zodak

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:00:11 -0500

can you get catherine weaver to make a logo for people who put their bags on the seats next to them?

bklynd

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:58:58 -0500

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.)

Yaotl

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:58:24 -0500

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.

bklynd

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:55:23 -0500

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.

JenChungsBra

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:53:12 -0500

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.

amsci

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:52:36 -0500

dkstar1: Maybe it's actually a "No Gene Kelly" sign.

amsci

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:51:30 -0500

"there's plenty of pole for everyone... ...in my pants!!!" The Todd? Is that you? "Am I right? TRANSIT FIVE!!!" ;)

djwerdna

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:48:31 -0500

What if somebody's using the pole for dancing? Would that be hogging the pole?

dkstar1

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:47:01 -0500

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.

zodak

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:45:48 -0500

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.

Potosi

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:45:07 -0500

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.

pickycapellit

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:43:33 -0500

there's plenty of pole for everyone... ...in my pants!!!

threadseven

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:37:14 -0500

I do that, what's the problem if it's not crowded?