Seriously -- if you are taking up 1/2 of a seat on either side of you, you are a jackhole. I am not even exaggerating. I do not believe that many men have balls that are that enormous.

No, Jesse - I have this group picture of me on a dig, and I've got my legs wide open and my elbows on my knees and generally look like a (really skinny) trucker. I crack myself up sometimes, the mix of Frosty Proper Yankee and Raised In a Barn I project.

For what it's worth, I take up space when I want to, and walk really tall (and fast, and confident) and I'm pretty much over even noticing I do so, anymore. I was a little angsty about it at 20, when I couldn't seem to get boys to like me because I was too smart and too tall, but hey, I'm 34 now this is how I am and if you can't take it, fuck you.

I do not believe that many men have balls that are that enormous.

Don't make me google up elephantitis pictures.

It is true though that men not only take up space, but there is probably cultural encouragement to take up more than their allotted space. It's a space dominating thing, I suppose. Which helps us oppress women by disallowing them space (both physically and psychologically). Except for Vortex who will spork you if you try to take her armrest.

Do the men say, "smile!"?

I'd like to note that this isn't exclusively something that women are hit with. Many's the time I've gotten a "cheer up!" from some chirpy stranger because I don't walk through life with an idiot grin plastered to my face for no good reason.

Look around on the subway, and see who's taking up more than their share of space.

I was JUST on about my rant to get deputized for subway behavior ticketing.

I SWEAR, all I need is a stun gun and the authority to write out fines and NYC will be making CASH money and the subways will be a hell of a lot more pleasant.

flea (and Nutty) -- I happen to be working on a book chapter right now that cites your granddad. Weird, no? Well, not *weird,* given the subject, but weird given that you happen to be posting right now.

It is true though that men not only take up space, but there is probably cultural encouragement to take up more than their allotted space. It's a space dominating thing, I suppose.

Yeah, on public transportation I see a lot of men take up space from the seat next to theirs in addition to their own. (CTA and MUNI especially, as their seats are on the small side.) In the vast majority of the cases I see, the man could easily move to stay within his seat. And I've noticed a lot of times I'll sit next to a man who's taking up part of the seat next to him - a majority of the time he won't move back into his seat area so I can have all of my seat.

I SWEAR, all I need is a stun gun and the authority to write out fines and NYC will be making CASH money and the subways will be a hell of a lot more pleasant.

They should film this and show it every Christmas!

And I've noticed a lot of times I'll sit next to a man who's taking up part of the seat next to him - a majority of the time he won't move back into his seat area so I can have all of my seat.

Get on your cell phone and pretend to be calling the doctor, and ask, "I just need to know if I'm still contagious, please have him call me ASAP."

Oh, my god, the legs. CLOSE YOUR DAMN LEGS.

Oh lord yes. I'm sure your junk is lovely, really... and simply ENORMOUS. We all appreciate that fact. Now could you let two other people sit? The train is crowded and you are pissing us off.

Somehow, when the old Italian men in my neighborhood flirt with me and beg for a smile, I don't mind. I find it charming, in fact. Which is odd, because I will cheerfully murderize anyone else who tells me to smile.

The elderly hispanic men in my old neighborhood, sitting in a pack and trying to out-do each other in complimenting women as we walked by... it even verged on the lewd occasionally (I knew more Spanish than they thought) and I adored it.