1 day ago
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Name: Seat edgers.
Age: All ages.
Appearance: Studiedly oblivious.
How would you define edging? Well, it’s a bit rude, to say the least.
Yes, I think I’ve read about it. And where are these edgers doing their edging? On public transport.
Really? That is bold. It certainly is. Imagine sitting in the aisle seat on the bus, leaving the window seat empty, and staring straight ahead as if nothing were amiss.
Then what? That’s it. That’s being an edger.
I have a feeling you and I visit very different websites. What’s wrong with that? It means anyone without a seat has to ask you to move to let them in.
I see. And what’s wrong with that? It’s thoughtless and boorish, like playing loud music without headphones, or eating smelly food, or putting your bag on the only available seat, or manspreading.
Manspreading? The disreputable male practice of sitting with your knees as far apart as possible, to assert your masculinity and take up too much room.
I suppose people might have their reasons for not wanting the window seat. Oh they do. In response to complaints about the practice, TikTok users have been offering up their excuses for commandeering the aisle seat on trains and buses.
What are they? Many passengers say they have mobility problems that make the window seat a difficult proposition.
That sounds legit. And some women refuse the window seat to avoid harassment from men (but will happily move for another woman).
Understandable. But a lot of other people insist they just don’t like being hemmed in.
I understand – I don’t like being hemmed in either! I’ve got news for you: nobody likes being hemmed in. But some days it’s just your turn. It’s called commuting.
But are seat edgers really the problem? Maybe the commuters of today are less assertive when it comes to asking fellow passengers to budge up. People don’t know how to behave on public transport at all.
I understand the frustration with tourists blocking the doors, but seat edgers aren’t acting out of ignorance. They seem to know what they’re doing. They know exactly what they’re doing.
I guess that’s why everyone is so keen to work from home these days. Yeah, where they can read all about the other kind of edging.
Do say: “Excuse me, is that window seat next to you free?”
Don’t say: “Of course! Just let me know when you’re about to get off …”
