1. Manspreading isn't "socially awkward" except in the very best case; more frequently, it makes seats that should be available unusable. 2. a. It is an issue

1. Manspreading isn't "socially awkward" except in the very best case; more frequently, it makes seats that should be available unusable. 2. a. It is an issue. I live in Boston, which has a pretty good public transit system, and I'll usually see one or two manspreaders per train car I ride. b. You're conflating "taking up more space as a result of body size" with "maximizing the amount of space consumed". No one is complaining about the Andre the Giant-sized guy for whom it's impossible to keep it to one seat. I'm a relatively broadly-built/tall man, and I don't have any trouble keeping myself in one seat while riding the train, which makes me very skeptical of anyone else who claims that stretching out is necessary. 3. Well, if that's the case, then at least we'll know who the assholes are.