because pg 2 10-10-24

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Category: Current Issue

Because I Had To   …   Seat Clog!
Whenever we hear the word clog, most of us think of a drain. More specifically, we think of either a kitchen or bathroom sink or, worse yet, a toilet! This is only natural because the definition of the word clog is to impede movement through a vessel or pipe. Nobody likes it when movement through a pipe is clogged in a bathroom!
Lately, however, I have started to notice that there is a new definition of clog that is becoming more and more prolific. I am referring to a Seat Clog.
In my humble opinion, a Seat Clog is an action wherein one tries to impede movement through, around, near or on a seat. Typically, the seats I refer to are those that are in conjunction with other seats. Think of a theater, concert venue or airplane. For that matter, I consider this any seat that comes with a ticketed price. Financially, it is the goal of the event or venue management to get as much money as is possible for the event. This means, unfortunately, for those of us who do not necessarily enjoy being packed together like a can of sardines, to fill as many seats as possible. And the seats at these events are starting to feel, at least to me, smaller and smaller… or at least the space I can claim as my own. Theater venues typically charge way more for a seat that offers a better view of the show. I offer that I may be willing to pay even more for my ticket if it also came with more space. This way, I could comfortably clap my hands without my elbows bumping into my seatmate.
When personal space feels scarce, it is only natural for us to want to protect it. This is when we start to Seat Clog. For example, in the theater, we may be inclined to place our belongings on the (currently) empty adjacent seat. As soon as someone sits down in this seat, we offer an empty apology and casually move our item/(s) to a spot that marks our perceived perimeter of our space. I may hang my jacket or sweater on the back of my seat or place my purse, like on an airplane, just under the seat in front of me.  It’s not considerate because now, if anyone tries to move either through my row or the row behind me, I have given them obstacles. In other words, Seat Clogging.
I do not believe that we intentionally Seat Clog so that others have a more challenging time moving through. I believe we simply Seat Clog so that others will NOT try to move through.
And as much as I may Seat Clog by using my personal belongings, I do not Seat Clog by using my personal being. It may be still considered decent etiquette to place a purse or a sweater around my seat, but it is not okay to Seat Clog by placing your feet, or for that matter, any part of your body, onto another’s seat. Especially on an airplane. So please, keep your smelly, barefoot feet to yourself.
Block! Block!
Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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