Bag-Hogging on the Subway? One Rider’s Petty Revenge Delivers Sweet, Seatless Justice
If you ride public transit, you know the struggle is real: seats are precious, patience is thin, and etiquette often goes out the window faster than last week’s MetroCard. We've all encountered the infamous seat-hog—the person who spreads their bags across every available seat, glaring at the world as if they personally paid for the whole bench. But what happens when a bag-hoarder tests the patience of the wrong commuter? Enter u/agizzy23, the hero of today’s petty revenge tale.
This is the story of one subway rider’s creative comeuppance—a story that proves sometimes, karma rides the rails right on time.
The Crime: Bag Domination at the Subway Station
Our story begins in the familiar chaos of a subway platform. Seats are scarce, and every commuter eyeing the benches knows it. But on this fateful day, one particularly bold individual has decided to annex not one, not two, but every available seat, deploying a small army of bags as territorial markers. Despite the growing crowd of weary travelers, he remains unbothered, unmoved, and unimpressed by polite requests for shared space.
u/agizzy23, standing and watching, tries to play it nice. “Excuse me,” they ask—only to be met with the classic commuter defense: the strategically timed language barrier, or perhaps just a stubborn commitment to ignoring everyone. For 12 long minutes, this seat-hogger luxuriates in his self-made comfort zone, while others shift from foot to foot, waiting for their train to arrive.
The Setup: A Battle of Wills
Now, anyone who’s spent time on a crowded platform knows the silent camaraderie of the seatless. There’s a collective hope: that the universe (or at least the universe’s sense of justice) will balance the scales. And sometimes, it does—if you’re willing to give it a little nudge.
As the train arrives, chaos erupts. Seats are up for grabs, and our bag-hoarder finally moves—grabbing his five bags and making a beeline for one of the few open seats. But just as victory is within his grasp, our narrator springs into action. With Olympic-level reflexes and a dash of righteous pettiness, u/agizzy23 slides right in front of him, snagging the last available seat as the rest of the crowd fills in the others.
The Payoff: Seatless, Speechless, and Served
There’s a special kind of satisfaction in poetic justice, especially when it’s delivered with eye contact and a smug smile. The bag-hoarder, who couldn’t be bothered to shift his stuff for 12 minutes, is now sentenced to stand for the entire 45-minute ride. As our narrator sits comfortably, the former king of the seats is left to sway and struggle, clutching his five bags, learning a lesson in subway karma.
The best part? The entire scenario played out in front of the same group of commuters he’d just inconvenienced. The collective sense of “Finally!” must have been palpable—a rare moment of unspoken solidarity among strangers.
Why This Story Feels So Good
Let’s be honest: petty revenge stories are the comfort food of the internet. They’re not malicious, but they right small wrongs, restoring faith in the idea that sometimes, the little guy (or gal) wins. This particular tale resonates because it taps into a universal experience—public transit frustration—and delivers a perfectly proportioned dose of justice.
It’s also a reminder of why basic courtesy matters. Public spaces are shared spaces, and a little consideration goes a long way. While most of us wouldn’t dare to take up every seat on a busy platform, it’s nice to know that if someone does, the universe might just have a clever commuter waiting in the wings.
Final Thoughts: Take a Seat and Join the Conversation!
Next time you’re on the subway, remember: your bags don’t need their own seat, and a little kindness makes the ride smoother for everyone. But if you do encounter a seat-hog, take heart—sometimes, a small act of petty revenge is just what the commute ordered.
Have you ever witnessed or pulled off a bit of transit justice? Share your stories in the comments below! Let’s keep the spirit of subway solidarity alive, one seat at a time.
Happy commuting—and may your rides be comfortable, your seats unclaimed, and your petty revenges perfectly timed.
Original Reddit Post: Take up every seat while waiting 12 minutes for a train? Now you’re standing for 45 minutes instead.