This manspreading thread will ring true with any woman who’s been on public transport ever

John Plunkett. Updated October 4th, 2019

Spare a thought for Lara Hogan who was so fed up with the guy sitting next to her on the plane that she resorted to telling everyone about it on Twitter. We can only hope it helped.

And it obviously struck a chord with people because it got a whole heap of shares and comments. Here’s what she said, a manspreading nightmare in real time.

I. Am. So. Tired. Of men invading my space. I’ve asked him three times to stay in his lane. We haven’t even departed yet. pic.twitter.com/KEicX0i45Z

— Lara Hogan (@lara_hogan) October 3, 2019

Welcome to the next six and a half hours of my personal hell!! He’s now falling asleep and his leg keeps leaning farther and farther into mine. What a fun ride this is going to be!!

— Lara Hogan (@lara_hogan) October 3, 2019

I kid you not, when I first sat down and he was already in my space, I stared at his leg as I tried to figure out what to say. He turned to me and said with sarcasm dripping, “you alright?”

— Lara Hogan (@lara_hogan) October 3, 2019

I replied, you want to put your bag up? (He was resting it between his legs, pushing them out.) Nope! He relied. (There’s a ton of overhead bin space)

— Lara Hogan (@lara_hogan) October 3, 2019

I appreciate y’all’s encouragement to spill stuff on him, but let’s be real: he’s already made my life hell for 45min, we still haven’t departed, it’s a long flight, and there aren’t seats I can switch to. I don’t see this situation getting better for me, esp. if I escalate it

— Lara Hogan (@lara_hogan) October 3, 2019

This is what we deal with: figuring out how to navigate uncomfortable situations without them getting worse. I’ve had two terrible, creepy Lyft rides in the last week, this is just the icing on the cake. I’m so tired.

— Lara Hogan (@lara_hogan) October 3, 2019

And here’s just a few of the things people said, with the occasional response by Lara.

I would talk to an employee and asked to be moved. That's fucked up.

— Becky @ Wasteland Weekend (@omglazerkittens) October 3, 2019

If only there were seats left!

— Lara Hogan (@lara_hogan) October 3, 2019

Am I understanding correctly that this is happening because he's slouching? And that it would be easier to fit his knees in his own space if he sat upright instead of slouching?

— Annette M Boyer (@annettemboyer) October 3, 2019

Correct!

— Lara Hogan (@lara_hogan) October 3, 2019

One idea: get a pen or marker and hold it on your knee, uncapped, pointing at him, but inside in your space, so you're not attacking him, but each time his leg comes into your space, he gets poked and gets ink on his jeans.

— Renee (@paix120) October 3, 2019

If I might offer… (probably too late) Don’t ‘ask’ him to move — that gives him the power to say ‘no’. Rather, you should *tell* him to move his leg — make it clear it’s an instruction, not a request. And if he doesn’t, then no second chance, just straight to flight attendant.

— Sumarumi (@sumarumi) October 3, 2019

Did that. Was very clear. He moved and then moved right back.

— Lara Hogan (@lara_hogan) October 3, 2019

Honestly I feel physically sick and angry looking at this. I'm so, so sorry.

— adriennefriend (@adriennefriend) October 3, 2019

Because I've been there. And I hate how coerced and disrespected I feel every time. And how there's *never* anything I can do but deal with it.

— adriennefriend (@adriennefriend) October 3, 2019

Only one thing for it.

If the flight attendant will not move him, or you, that thigh needs stabbing…

— Bryan William Jones (@BWJones) October 3, 2019

With a plastic fork, obviously.

Source @lara_hogan