Poll: Do You Manspread

[snave]

Furthermore, I have heard that the term is sexist as it excludes female spreaders from the argument but, from my personal observations, the most vocal pro manspreaders base almost all of their arguments upon the male physiology necessitating it.

Depends entirely on the health of your prostate. There's a reason its often older guys.

 

[Stewie Plisken]

Do You Manspread

Only in the days I don't mansplain. The Patriarchy High Command forbids doing both in the same day, lest the conspiracy is exposed, our lords deposed and our exclusive priveleges rescinded. But y'all already knew that.

So, short answer: no. I also don't sit like an asshole in the bus/train/whatever. It's a matter of personal space for me; I don't like others getting into my own and I extend the same courtesy. Everybody has their own spot.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Not if I'm sharing a seat.

 

[Silvanus]

I refuse to believe it is preferrable to anyone to sit with their knees pressed together, if they have testicles or any kind of thighs. There is no way that can be preferrable. No way.

Disbelieve all you want. This is simply generalising your (quite unrepresentative) experience to all mankind. Plenty of men cross their legs, and I see very few leaving more than a minor gap.

I suppose that makes this an issues of both "fat-" and "Fit shaming". Interesting, bud.

"Fit-shaming"? That's a real classic, right there. Real classic.

EDIT: I also think it is pretty hilarious that you talk as if testes are all the same size. You don't have to have testicular cancer to have big balls(within reason), friend.

I'm well aware they're not. I merely said that they're very rarely humongous enough to warrant an obtuse leg angle, which is true. They'd have to be grapefruit.

I would guess that this issue of comfort has less to do with testicle size and more to do with the size and shape of a man's thighs. My thighs are particularly noteworthy in their girth due to sports, which means creating the necessary space to avoid uncomfortable pressure requires a greater angle for my knees to be open. I don't have to lug my testicles around in a wheelbarrow, but I do suspect I do quite a bit more manspreading than might be average, especially if I'm wearing suit trousers or jeans.

Fair enough. I imagine extensive exercise probably does necessitate a wider angle. I wouldn't know from experience, being a lazy fucker myself.

Sure. I didn't say we needed an obtuse angle. I just said a decent angle is more comfortable. I personally wouldn't want an obtuse angle unless I just wanted some stranger to run up and kick me. But I've seen it when a person was trying to fall asleep while sitting. The wide stance helps with balance in that case.

It's particularly wide angles which are the subject of conversation here as far as I know; little gaps are fine, and go uncommented on tubes and trains. Comfort is fine (and must be weighed against the comfort of others), but I'm taking aim at the argument from biological necessity, which is another thing altogether.

If a guy is doing that it will (should) at least eventually lead to the good ol' creeping pain. There's also other factors like zippers that might still find a way to press against the sack despite it being through a pair of underwear.

"Should"? That's not medically sound advice. It's tremendously common to do so, as is sitting cross-legged.

I remember people asking me in the schoolyard how I could sit with my legs crossed, and frankly, it always came across as a subtle method of boasting about the size of their junk. The question always came from those who would be most likely to do exactly that, too. It says a lot that as I've grown older, the questions have disappeared, and I've seen more and more men sitting just as I did then and still do.

 

[TwoSidesOneCoin]

If the subway or train or bus isn't packed and there is room, I'll get comfy. You wanting to stare at my junk doesn't mean shit to me. Oh no, some stranger on the bus is looking at my groin! Give me a break.

 

[Dango]

I mean, yeah if there's enough space on public transport than why not? Otherwise yeah, I have a dick, so it can feel pretty necessary sometimes.

 

[Ambitiousmould]

If I have the pair of seats to myself, then a bit, yes. It is physically impossible as an averagely sized human to not spread out on British trains, there simply isn't enough chuffing legroom. If someone sits next to me though, I sort of put my legs together and twist them to a sort of side-saddle-ish position. It's uncomfortable as buggery but it's the only option.

Now people talking loudly on their mobiles, that's the real issue. I'd say, "Oi, dickhead, some people are trying to do the crossword, and none of us want to hear what your Kelly said to Sue about Dennis", but I'm British so I quietly seethe and try to think of a five letter word for "Stupid, Foolish" (A--sh).

I would also complain about the dire quality of the Metro but it's a free paper, so meh. And train pissheads just make me laugh, so I won't moan there, either.

 

[CyanCat47_v1legacy]

whoever does it is an absolute arse. there is very little space on public transportation to begin with and anybody who actively takes up more space than they need is an inconsiderate arse. besides genitals are soft and can easily endure the pressure of human legs

 

[Wrex Brogan]

...What if you're big, fat, have a generous helping of testicles and can still sit comfortably in a chair without flopping your legs out?

Just sayin', anecdotes are all well and good until we try to make arguments from 'em. Because then some fat, large-balled fuck (i.e. me) will come butting in going 'Your argument doesn't fit my personal experience!' and ruin everything with his ability to not knee other passengers and try to pass it off as 'I need the space for comfort'.

I don't believe you or we have very different standards of what "manspreading" is.

...it's true, I have enormous testicles. Both a curse and a blessing, some would say.

But no, the standard of 'manspreading' I'm working with here is 'stretching your legs out to the point it intrudes on other peoples space, using flimsy justifications like testicles to be a dickhead', which is, as stated, a dickheaded thing to do. It's being a prick in a very specifically gendered way (hence the testicles), why it's called 'manspreading'.

Public transport is uncomfortable for everyone. Don't be an asshole and make it more uncomfortable for other people because you never learned to not sit on your balls.

 

[chadachada123]

As many other posters have mentioned, the question is vague to the point of being nearly useless.

Do I spread my knees to a comfortable angle on the bus? Yeah, when there's room. Do I bring them a couple of inches closer together if the bus becomes packed? Yeah, I do that, too, but my knees will still be spread out several inches, as any closer will become uncomfortable if not painful after a few minutes. It's not enough to actually get in anyone's way, but could be enough for some dickhead to claim that I'm "exerting my dominance" or some such absurdity. While there have been several female (and even male) posters that try to contend that not being able to fully close the knees without discomfort is somehow unusual, it's really not for anyone with decent thigh muscles.

Female posters, perhaps try grabbing a couple of grapes, putting them in a plastic bag 1/3 filled with water, and trying to sit down while holding it in the appropriate location. You should be able to see how having a dangling sack of sensitivity can be precarious.

 

[Something Amyss]

???? None of this is remotely relevant to the question I was asking until the very end.

You directed me to a misleading picture. I addressed that.

 

[Metalix Knightmare]

No. It'd just seem like... what are you going to do? Snap your fingers and point to your groin?

HI DID YOU NOTICE MY GROIN? LOOK! I HAVE OPENED MY LEGS SO YOU MAY ADMIRE MY MAJESTY!

It's not like I nail my knees together, but really, come on. Have some modesty.

Question, what is your gender? Legit question here, because if you're not a dude it's not so much showin off the junk as much as it is just being more comfortable. The berries tend to get cramped when you don't sit spread out.

Doubly so if you're a fat guy like myself.

 

[NiPah]

???? None of this is remotely relevant to the question I was asking until the very end.

You directed me to a misleading picture. I addressed that.

How's the image misleading then? He asked if the image was an example of manspreading and you didn't address the image but simply offered some background information and your own theory on the thought process of the individual in the image.

I'm guessing s0denone was curious if you thought the individual in the first image was manspreading.

 

[WeepingAngels]

We should be protesting the word manspreading. It's a man hating, made up word and if we can all agree that women take up extra space with purses too then we shouldn't be using the word manspreading.

 

[Nemmerle]

No. It'd just seem like... what are you going to do? Snap your fingers and point to your groin?

HI DID YOU NOTICE MY GROIN? LOOK! I HAVE OPENED MY LEGS SO YOU MAY ADMIRE MY MAJESTY!

It's not like I nail my knees together, but really, come on. Have some modesty.

Question, what is your gender? Legit question here, because if you're not a dude it's not so much showin off the junk as much as it is just being more comfortable. The berries tend to get cramped when you don't sit spread out.

Doubly so if you're a fat guy like myself.

I'm male.

I mean... manspreading is to my mind spreading out like you could draw a fairly large angle inbetween. Making a blatant exhibition of the thing. As long as it's not much wider than your shoulders that's just... how your legs naturally hang off your torso.

 

[THM]

Only in the days I don't mansplain. The Patriarchy High Command forbids doing both in the same day, lest the conspiracy is exposed, our lords deposed and our exclusive priveleges rescinded. But y'all already knew that.

All hail the glorious Patriarchy! May it continue to rule the world, even as the Tumblrists gnash their teeth and wail!

OT: Ugh; I originally voted 'only if there aren't many people', but on second thought, no - I don't, because I refuse to acknowledge or respect this moronic idea. Also, I'm a man and I don't hate myself.

We should be protesting the word manspreading. It's a man hating, made up word and if we can all agree that women take up extra space with purses too then we shouldn't be using the word manspreading.

I agree wholeheartedly. This PC bullshit is getting to insane levels. Doesn't matter what sex you are, people can be inconsiderate. Full stop.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I'm late to this topic, but I thought I'd weigh in anyway.

1. The provocatively named "man-spreading" is obviously the complete opposite of a hot button issue. It's an annoying social irritant with a moderate gender bent to it that generally manifests itself as one of the 5,000 ways people are unnecessarily rude on transit. It is not a boiling front on the gender war, despite how some of the gentlemen posting in this thread are treating it.

2. I'm a tall guy with long legs, so I will occasionally spread them farther than shoulder width if it prevents me crushing them into the seat ahead of me. Pressing my knees into a metal seat-back is extremely uncomfortable. That said, if someone is sitting beside me, I will crush those knees in there (usually by using something to cushion them if possible). I'm fantastically anal-retentive about my personal space, so I both understand the complaints about "man-spreading" and rather fussily avoid having my own legs pressing into anyone.

3. As a male with an ordinarily sized set of genitalia, I can confirm that I can press my legs as tightly together as I can without "crushing" anything. It's not the most comfortable position in the world, but then neither is smooshing into some stranger because "mah balls just gots to be free". I will not discount the possibility that there exists a man with such extraordinarily large balls that he cannot comfortably bring his legs to shoulder width, but such a medical enormity is probably indication of a severe health problem that should be dealt with immediately.

4. As someone who rides transit every day, with very few exceptions guys are definitively the worse seat partners, to the extent that I frantically seek out a solo seat and often won't even get on the fucking train if one isn't available, choosing to wait for the next one. "Man-spreading" does occur, but usually it's lack of elbow/arm control that gets me. Yes, bus stranger, I LOVE that you've decided to read the paper and your fucking elbow is jutting into my chest so you can hold it nice and wide. Keep doing that. It's DELIGHTFUL.

5. Lest anyone think I'm just picking on guys, worst female passenger I've ever rode near was a lady who liked to take her shoes off and rub an extremely vile smelling cream on her feet for 30 minutes. I've gone to the far end of the train to avoid her.

 

[ZeD [taken 0]]

Is there some sort of minimum angle your legs must have to be classifies as a manspreader?
I like to have some spread because it's comfortable, and sometimes I lean my elbows on my thighs.

I never encroach on other people's spaces (unless they're really small, and shove their legs together, giving me more room).
But from what I've read, it's not just the knee invasion that's an "issue", but just exposing your covered crotch.

Egh, this just seems like one of the pettiest social "issues" I've seen brought up.

 

[mysecondlife]

Maybe? I get fidgity when I sit for a long time. I'd cross one of my legs over the other, extend to stretch my legs. I might even do manspreading without noticing.

 

[Silvanus]

Another thing I find quite odd about the notion that a wide angle is necessary to prevent balls getting crushed; whenever we walk, our legs are pretty close together. Am I to believe that those using the above argument also walk with the same angle? With the legs far apart?