Standing on the subway can be such a drag.

Chances are you're super busy and active, so you've been on your feet all day long. You really just want a moment of rest, to let your feet have a moment of relaxation before you jump back into life again.

Well, the subways are crowded, so many times, getting that seat that you want so desperately is wishful thinking.

But you're not going to give up on getting that opportunity to sit down. So here are 7 nerve-racking stages of finding a seat on the New York City subway.

1. Getting on the subway and spotting an empty seat

You're getting on the subway during rush hour to go home after your daily grind, and the train is packed... but this is a big station for people to get off at.

Low and behold, a glimmer of hope: an empty seat appears! You lock eyes on the seat you want, and you make it very clear that it is yours. But it's never that easy, is it?

[anad]

2. Losing that free subway seat to a more aggressive passenger

As you're making that mad dash to your destined seat, a person who is more bitter and much more aggressive about subway seats beats you to the punch and snags your seat.

WTF?! This is totally not fair. You deserved that seat just as much as anyone else on this train.

3. Creating a makeshift seat by leaning against the doors

You have horrible balance and coordination, so you're not reaching for the bar above the seats.

Forget it, that's just absurd. If everyone is going to take all the seats without any regard for you, then you're going to barricade the doors with your back.

Plus, it takes the edge off of falling on top of other subway riders, so how can you go wrong?

4. Seeing that an end seat is free, but then losing out on that one as well 

End seats are prime real estate. Everyone wants one, and nobody wants to be that person who sits in the middle.

When an end seat frees up, you've obviously set your sights on it, but of course, that person sitting in the middle is going to scoot their ass one seat over, leaving you only with that middle seat.

Seriously?! I mean, a middle seat is still a seat, but you're holding out for something better and you've already been standing this long anyway.

5. Wedging yourself into a seat that you obviously don't fit in

When you sit next to a person on the subway, you're also sitting next to whatever they brought along for the ride-- be it a jacket, backpack, or purse.

You're also subject to their subway etiquette, so if he or she is a notorious manspreader, that treachery will also be forced into your space. Hope that end seat frees up soon!

6. Doing something morally-depriving to get a seat

Sometimes, you've got to do something really terrible to get what you want. Make like Francis Underwood and be ruthless; that's the only way to win at these things.

If you're a chick, you'll stick out your belly and rub it continuously until someone sitting down notices, and offers you his or her seat out of pure guilt for your situation.

Except you're not actually pregnant, and shame on these kind souls for thinking so!

[anad2]

7. Finally getting your seat fair and square

Once people start leaving the train in flocks, then you're good to finally get that seat that you've been vying for this entire trip.

You may only have one more stop left before you exit the train, but you're going to sit down anyway because sitting down means victory. And you're a winner, obviously.

That's right, you've done it again.

If you enjoyed this article, check out the 25 Types of People You’ll Encounter While Riding the NYC Subway!