I've just played Manspread Skittles on the train. Guess how many points I scored

[GunpowderGelatine]

Just got on a train at the opposite end where I needed to be (that's where I was standing on the platform and I panic in case I don't hop on in time so I just got on) and walked through 7 carriages before I got to mine. I carried my little suitcase in front of me, and came across a number of manspreaders who seemed to occupy the half the aisle (no exaggeration) with their knees (only once did I see them sat next to someone). Note - no women were doing this. I decided to have me a game of Manspread Skittles (just carried on walking meaning my suitcase knocked into their knees).

Anyone likes to guess:

1. How many men I knocked in total over 7 carriages and
2. How many said sorry for being in my way?

6 / 0

1. 12
2. None

My guess is 11 and 1

1 - all of them
2 - none of them

18 and no apologies

28 and none. I was pleasantly surprised on the tube the other day that there were only 5 manspreaders and the rest had politely crossed their legs. All the offenders were middle aged white men in suits.

25

No apologies

25 filthy looks

About 30. Maybe one apology

28
2
I hate this. I nearly went flying trying to walk down a carriage while 8 months pregnant as I hadn’t seen a blokes massive feet in the aisle. Couldn’t even see my own feet by this point!

You are an evil woman.

Will you be my new best friend?

12 knocked and 5 apologies

21 and 2

109

A simple "Excuse me" would suffice for people to move out or lean out of the way.

This blatant hatred of men and the use of the word manspreading/ing is pathetic and only serves to make women look bad.

As a previous frequent train traveller whenever I've come across anyone sitting in a relaxed manner I've just politely asked them not to encroach in my seating/walking space and they've obliged, usually with a smile and an exchange if pleasantries.

Man bashing seems to be the in thing these days, sadly.

Of course @BruceAndNosh as long as we can go out and play patriarchy chicken too

The answer is

1. 27
2. None. One guy did call me a "stupid bitch" though. I only wish I'd needed to pump as my bum was at prime position to his revolting face

A simple "Excuse me" would suffice for people to move out or lean out of the way

I'm not bellowing "excuse me" 27 times. If you purposefully put your body in a cramped place designed for people to move along don't be surprised if you get your body knocked now and again.

Or perhaps women are just pissed off with being expected to work around lazy arse men who can't sit up in public or think they own a carriage. Or footpath.

Standing up for ourselves doesn't make us look bad, it makes their behaviour obvious. If men don't want us to point out shitty behaviour then all they have to do is show some respect.

whenever I've come across anyone sitting in a relaxed manner I've just politely asked them not to encroach in my seating/walking space and they've obliged, usually with a smile and an exchange if pleasantries

I hope you also have a pretty bow in your hair and give them a little wink while you're there. It's good to keep up men's spirits after all. Also, you should be smiling anyway at all times, not just on trains.

"This blatant hatred of men and the use of the word manspreading/ing is pathetic and only serves to make women look bad."

Diddums!

Well done OP!

Lately when men walk right at me expecting me to give way, I don't shift. It's very insightful into how much they expect you to naturally give way as the Lesser Being.

I played patriarchy chicken in London this week. My husband was oblivious to this until now as he doesn't do this sort of thing. Bless him. He's had quite the introduction to active feminism, how men insist on controlling women and how women like me fight back in the last few years .

Oh, I'm certain I rather hurt a very tall man in a bright red Canada Goose jacket crossing London Bridge yesterday at 8am. Fucker. Hope his ribs are still sore - he couldn't shoulder barge me as he wanted as he was too tall, and I'm 5'9" and very fat solid ao I think that came as a shock when he bounced off me and not me off him.

OP - nice!

Nope - The walking at you like you don't exist and expecting you to get out of the way!

I've only just realised and it's shocking. Just jaw dropping.

I've spent my life stepping out of the way and only stopped when I had a huge double pushchair that doesn't take kindly to side steps. But having walked essentially like an entitled man for years because of the huge kids-pushchair combo, when I walk without the battering ram - it's unbelievable! Why should I get out of your way? Oh, because you're bigger than me? Fuck that.

I don't hate men, I'm rather partial to some of them. What I hate is the inbuilt mentality that the world belongs to them and that women should get out of their way.

Nice work OP, I may have to try this on my commute in. I've started playing patriarchy chicken in London, at rush hour, and it's illuminating to say the least

And what do you know 😂

Well done OP.

I had a Mexican standoff of sorts with a bloke in Ikea last week. I was already on the stairs holding the handrail going down. He started to walk up on the same side and was utterly confused when I didn't move out of his way. I stopped on the step above him and just looked at him until he moved out of the way.

DH gave me a round of applause.