A viral video has sparked debate after a woman shared her awkward public transport moment.
In the video, which has gained 1.9 million views, a woman shared how the man sitting next to her was spreading his legs wide, leaving her squished into her seat.
The TikTok user, @loumayyy, expressed her frustration in the caption, saying: “I swear he watched me film this too. Should’ve asked for his @.”
In the text overlay, she added: “I’m so done with everything.”
The post quickly gained traction, sparking a heated discussion in the comments section.
Often called manspreading, the practice of men sitting with legs wide apart and encroaching on the space of others is often a cause of frustration among travelers.
While some attribute manspreading to physiological differences between men and women, others view it as a matter of basic etiquette. The term “manspreading” was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in August 2015.
A 2016 study by Hunter College observed people on the New York City subway line they typically rode to school and work. Students observed the behavior and demographic characteristics of 40 different passengers, using a smartphone app to enter the data based on their observations.
The results found that more than 26 percent of men comfortably separated their legs, or “manspread,” in their seats, compared to less than 5 percent of women.
Age of men also had an impact on the likelihood of manspreading. It was greatest among males aged 30-39—with 30 percent engaging in the behavior, while among those aged 40-49, only 29 percent were seen manspreading.
In thousands of comments, people shared sympathy with @loumayyy.
Charlie Love wrote: “He’s not even manspreading; he’s just putting his leg up against yours, which is arguably worse.”
Jam, on the other hand, took a proactive stance and said: “I have no sense of anxiety when it comes to personal space. I would instantly tell him to keep to his own space, and if he can’t handle it, I’ll tell.”
Other viewers suggested taking a direct approach with passengers in situations like this. Vicki suggested: “Just push him out of the way, make him get the hint! Take up your own space! You deserve your own space.”
While for those seeking a more diplomatic approach, one commenter advised: “Ask them to move their leg. If you need a confidence boost, do it when a flight attendant is standing nearby, like when they’re handing out snacks.”
Newsweek reached out to @loumayyy via TikTok for comment.
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This story was originally published December 8, 2023, 9:29 AM.
source: star-telegram
