On board and sitting in MY seat

I’ve noticed recently that people feel a sense of ownership of the seats they choose on the train. Often, these people will sit down and spread themselves out – either by literally sprawling out over the entire seat or by putting their stuff in the seat next to them – in an effort to claim their seat. In essence, they are a dog marking their territory, with their bag, thankfully, taking the place of urine. It’s a noble effort because really: Who wants to sit with a stranger on a train?

The trouble, of course, is that during rush hour, odds are you are going to get a seat partner. Or two. And it’s better to realize this going in, I think, than coming to that realization after you’ve sat down and sprawled out. Because you’re only going to get disappointed. Or, as I’ve noticed, irritated.

Increasingly, I’ve noticed that people who have laid claim to a seat are visibly annoyed when someone asks to sit down with them. “Do you not smell my urine?” they seem to ask. “Do you not see my flag sticking out of this seat, claiming this territory for me?” The train can be standing room only, and these people will feel as if you’ve greatly put them out by asking to sit with them. As if they paid more for the seat than you. Or have a special relationship with the leather of the seat that you wouldn’t – that you couldn’t – understand.

So please, save your exasperated sighs for someone else. If you’re going to Wall Street, don’t you have more pressing concerns?