How to Deal With Propagandists
Mechanical problems , lack of funding, and inconsistent schedules make the MTA a nightmare. To make matters worse, if you are lucky with the location, you are likely to run into a lot of distributors, people (guess which) who decide that their self-confidence needs more space than they paid for. If you’re tired of this, there are several ways to deal with the problem on a grand scale:
Ask politely
A simple request to move, often overlooked in favor of tacit reflection and introspection, is likely to produce the desired result. A polite “sorry” and “thank you” is enough for me to notice that I am taking up too much space, apologize, and adjust my posture accordingly. (And in the anecdotal experience of other Lifehacker editors, it is often enough for someone to slip away and make room.) From a philanthropic standpoint, the average leader suffers from a lack of self-awareness in the first place.
Ask less than politely
If the carrots didn’t work, it might be time to use the whip. Struggling to sit on a seat adjacent to the men’s blanket? Decisively indicate your intention to sit down, take a close look at them, have your voice heard with a strong “forgive me,” and fill the space allotted to you. It’s definitely awkward, but less awkward than dodging. If their bag is on your chair and they don’t respond to your requests, feel free to move it yourself. This is your place too.
Make a scene
Do you have a bag? Do a squat, open it and dig in. Lot. “Where is that comically large feather rag I have?” You have to mumble to yourself as your arms and legs move, allowing you to expand your personal space in the guise of looking for props.
Don’t forget to use your hands to your advantage! You may need to throw up a couple of elbows to get the abuser to correct his posture. If they move, you win. Otherwise, you easily got a few “accidental” hits trying to free up your space. Consider it a taste of justice.
First man
Sometimes the best defense is a good attack. When the opportunity arises to live like a king and flex your hips, hip abductors, why not allow yourself to do it? If you’re the first to transform into a human, you won’t get friends, but it often takes a preemptive strike to secure the resources bestowed on your $ 2.75 ticket. The burly guy looking at the seat next to you probably won’t cross his legs, that’s for sure. That being said, when the train starts to fill up, you may want to drive it.
Some distributors are just assholes, so your experience may be different. If you do not like confrontation or feel that your ride may be deteriorating, release immediately. No place is worth fighting, and no distributor of people is worth the threat of violence. Besides, there is probably no place to wave your hands here.
If none of these tactics work, you can always just sit on them .