New way to be a seat hog
I thought I had seen all the ways to hog two seats, with the most popular being to put your feet up on the second seat, or put your bag or back pack there
But here's a guy in his late 40s or early 50s who finds a new way to rudely hog two seats -- he sits smack in the middle of the seat divider with one cheek on each seat.
People board the train, look at him, then shake their head as they pass him by. He naturally fidgets restlessly in his "seat."
I mean, after all, he's got a seat divider sticking in his ass.
I've seen this a surprising amount, both men and women doing it. They're not all portly folks, either.
Posted by: kerry | September 11, 2006 at 09:50 AM
When I see something like that, I just say "excuse me" in a semi-stern way and look at them or at the seat while I say it and stand there. They get the point, and move. Thats all you have to do. If people continue to allow others to get away with behaviors like this by just walking past shaking their heads, this will continue. Just this morning, on the red line, a business woman with a suit did exactly that next to a filty guy sleeping yet not quite hogging both seats.
She said "excuse me" and immediately sat right down next to him, forcing him to still up straight to fit her. Bravo, brave commer lady. Bravo.
Posted by: Emily | September 11, 2006 at 01:53 PM
I know (not like, just know) someone who carries a small pillow around with her so she can sit in the middle of a seat and not feel the divider. I would call her on that crap when I see her on the train, only I don't want to sit next to her. She would assume we're on speaking terms.
Posted by: Cheryl | September 11, 2006 at 03:21 PM
The usual version I see is the one where there's a small bag between the hog and the wall. I just sit down on the half-a-seat that's near the aisle, touching the seat hog with my back. Invariably, room appears.
Posted by: Thomas Westgard | September 11, 2006 at 05:48 PM
I would never sit where I'm not wanted.
Posted by: bill | September 11, 2006 at 07:20 PM
bill -- on the 'el', I do not care one iota of the person I'm sitting next to wants me to sit there or not. I've been the person saying 'excuse me' to those people who put packages or half their butt on the seat next to them. If they don't like it, they shouldn't be riding a form of transportation that includes other people.
Now, I did once ride the bus once (the #56) with a complete raving lunatic who refused to move over to the inside seat or allow anyone to step around her to do so (and threatened physical violence against anyone who acted as if they were going to try), and no, I did not try to sit next to her, I have my limits.
Posted by: vit | September 16, 2006 at 02:56 PM
i am 6'4" and most of that is legs - when i have to sit up against the window in the seats that are not the front ones, of course it is very uncomfortable for me, and i can barely fit my knees. i usually sit at an angle. but if anyone wants to sit down next to me, i of course just grin and bear it, and make rooom. anyone who does not do this, barring a very very overweight gentleman i've seen a few times on the Red Line (poor guy, has to be a thyroid problem) - is just plain rude.
Posted by: leaves | September 22, 2006 at 01:02 PM