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Added some examples and an alternative solution after some feedback from the comments and chat
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user6817
user6817

Have you tried politely asking them to move their legs?

In myFrom personal experience, most people who do this are either completely unawarethey might not know that they're doing it. I have unintentionally sat in seats with my legs spread rather wide. I have always moved my legs when asked. Sometimes this simply wasn't possible because the leg room was physically too small for my long legs.

As Imus said in their answer, or they are unawaresome might know that it's an issuethey're doing it but they don't feel like they're taking up too much room. Asking them "Couldwill usually make them accommodate you move.

If you want to sit down in an unoccupied seat that is being blocked by the person next to it, try something like:

Excuse me, can I sit here?

If you are already sitting down and the person next to you is taking up too much of your legsspace, please?" will often be met with a responseyou could instead try saying something like "Oh:

Excuse me, could you move over a bit? I don't have enough room.

An alternative solution

Move to another unoccupied seat if one is available, sorry"or stand somewhere. This might not be an ideal solution for you, and the situationbut it is resolvedthe best way to avoid conflict altogether.

Have you tried politely asking them to move their legs?

In my experience, most people who do this are either completely unaware that they're doing it, or they are unaware that it's an issue. Asking them "Could you move your legs, please?" will often be met with a response like "Oh, sorry", and the situation is resolved.

Have you tried politely asking them to move their legs?

From personal experience, they might not know that they're doing it. I have unintentionally sat in seats with my legs spread rather wide. I have always moved my legs when asked. Sometimes this simply wasn't possible because the leg room was physically too small for my long legs.

As Imus said in their answer, some might know that they're doing it but they don't feel like they're taking up too much room. Asking them will usually make them accommodate you.

If you want to sit down in an unoccupied seat that is being blocked by the person next to it, try something like:

Excuse me, can I sit here?

If you are already sitting down and the person next to you is taking up too much of your space, you could instead try saying something like:

Excuse me, could you move over a bit? I don't have enough room.

An alternative solution

Move to another unoccupied seat if one is available, or stand somewhere. This might not be an ideal solution for you, but it is the best way to avoid conflict altogether.

After seeing sooo many comments about the term 'manspreading', we came to a conclusion in chat https://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/61165 that it was better to get rid of the term, and just focus on the behaviour it describes instead. I've also edited it out of your answer because of that.
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Tinkeringbell ♦
Tinkeringbell ♦
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Have you tried politely asking them to move their legs?

In my experience, most people who do this are either completely unaware that they're doing it, or they are unaware that it's an issue. Asking them "Could you move your legs, please?" will often be met with a response like "Oh, sorry", and the situation is resolved.

More importantly, try to avoid usage of the term "manspreading" when you do ask, as this will be seen as a loaded (and possibly sexist) term that is bound to cause conflict.

Have you tried politely asking them to move their legs?

In my experience, most people who do this are either completely unaware that they're doing it, or they are unaware that it's an issue. Asking them "Could you move your legs, please?" will often be met with a response like "Oh, sorry", and the situation is resolved.

More importantly, try to avoid usage of the term "manspreading" when you do ask, as this will be seen as a loaded (and possibly sexist) term that is bound to cause conflict.

Have you tried politely asking them to move their legs?

In my experience, most people who do this are either completely unaware that they're doing it, or they are unaware that it's an issue. Asking them "Could you move your legs, please?" will often be met with a response like "Oh, sorry", and the situation is resolved.

Added a more specific example on what to say.
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user6817
user6817

Have you tried politely asking them to move their legs?

In my experience, most people who do this are either completely unaware that they're doing it, or they are unaware that it's an issue. Asking them "Could you move your legs, please?" will often be met with a response like "Oh, sorry", and the situation is resolved.

More importantly, try to avoid usage of the term "manspreading" when you do ask, as this will be seen as a loaded (and possibly sexist) term that is bound to cause conflict.

Have you tried politely asking them to move their legs?

In my experience, most people who do this are either completely unaware that they're doing it, or they are unaware that it's an issue.

More importantly, try to avoid usage of the term "manspreading" when you do ask, as this will be seen as a loaded (and possibly sexist) term that is bound to cause conflict.

Have you tried politely asking them to move their legs?

In my experience, most people who do this are either completely unaware that they're doing it, or they are unaware that it's an issue. Asking them "Could you move your legs, please?" will often be met with a response like "Oh, sorry", and the situation is resolved.

More importantly, try to avoid usage of the term "manspreading" when you do ask, as this will be seen as a loaded (and possibly sexist) term that is bound to cause conflict.

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user6817
user6817