London Underground Commuters Slam ‘Pole Hoggers’ for Poor Tube Etiquette
A new irritation is brewing on the London Underground—and it’s striking a nerve with regular commuters.
They’re being dubbed “pole hoggers”—those inconsiderate passengers who lean against vertical poles on the Tube, blocking everyone else from grabbing on during the ride. It’s the latest name in a growing list of irritating commuter behaviour. And Londoners are, frankly, fed up.
One frustrated rider recently shared a photo online, venting about a fellow passenger who rested against a pole for an entire journey—right on their hand.
“Busy commute to work, and this woman is leaning against the pole, on her phone, taking up as much room as possible, preventing people from getting on the train while leaning on my hand the entire commute.”
And it didn’t stop there. “The entitlement is simply incredible to witness,” they added, noting the woman even turned around and glared as if they were in the wrong.
Londoners were quick to chime in. Some shared equally exasperating experiences, while others turned to humour as a coping mechanism.
“Plot twist, they think a stranger decided to be kind and give a free massage,” quipped one user.
“And turn your hand, so that your knuckles annoy the person so much that they move….”
But the funniest might be: “Stand directly in front, smile, and reach around or above them for a grip. Smile, and talk about the weather.”
Though let’s be honest, that’s a bold move—not one for the faint of heart. Not all passengers are outraged. Some reckon it’s more about awareness, or lack thereof.
On a separate Reddit thread titled ‘Pole Hogs’, one shorter commuter shared a frustrating Overground tale:
“I’m really short and this woman was leaning against the whole pole, there was really nowhere to hold on to. When the next batch of people got off, I moved to the next pole and she literally looked at me and rolled her eyes. Not sure what her beef was but I’m always baffled by people who seem to be rude just for the sake of it.”
Others suggested some pole hoggers are simply unaware. Tourists, in particular, may not know the unspoken Tube etiquette.
A polite “excuse me” usually works wonders. Ask with a smile. Most people aren’t being rude on purpose. Sometimes they just don’t realise they’re causing an inconvenience.
Of course, if the carriage is half-empty and they’re not bothering anyone, maybe let it slide. Not every battle needs fighting.
Still, for Londoners squashed in a packed train trying not to topple over, it’s easy to see why a blocked handrail can feel like the final straw.
