While there is no real life answer to the real life question of why men spread their legs out so goddamn far while sitting on cramped subways, there is an LOL Tumblr answer: and of course it's cats. Stare at these examples below until you can instantly recall them in your mind on demand, and the next time some dude pulls a Full Spread next to you, just see this:

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(Photos via Saving Room For Cats)

You know what, get creative... feel free to make your mind's image a GIF, maybe something with a claw in it. Or maybe there are no cats! Maybe these men are saving room for... corn?

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(Original photo via Men Taking Up Too Much Space On The Train)

or Korn?

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(Original photo via Men Taking Up Too Much Space On The Train)

or Quorn?

savingroomforquorn.jpg
(Original photo via Men Taking Up Too Much Space On The Train)