NYC Officials Decide It’s Finally Time To Shame People For Sitting With Their Legs Spread Apart On The Subway

The last time I checked, the average person is not six feet wide, and thus doesn’t need anywhere near that amount of room to sit on any given surface. And yet, there are those who have been ticking off their fellow riders since the dawn of time by having the audacity to spread their legs as far to the side as possible, thus either preventing others from sitting or making the people on either side uncomfortable at the level of touching. Finally, New York City’s authorities are spreading the message that enough is enough.

There should be room for everyone, says the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, as inconsiderate manspreaders and backpack wearers should be more aware of the people around them while in transit, an MTA spokesperson told BuzzFeed News.

Part of the campaign will target those folks — yes, women do it too, probably — who fling their legs wide on the seat, despite the lack of a need to maintain stability and balance by way of making your body into a triangle shape.

(Idea drummed up by Boss Meg and Me for a potential PSA: [Photo of a bike seat]: “IF YOU CAN SIT ON THIS, YOU CAN SIT NORMALLY ON A BENCH FOR 25 MINUTES.” You’re welcome, MTA.)

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