Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2009

How can you tell when a train rider is about to leave his or her seat? To help snag yourself a spot, learn to recognize these common actions of seat-holders who are about to detrain

2 Body position: Look for people who are uncrossing their arms, placing their feet flat on the floor, or resting their bag on their knees. This kind of posture indicates the person is getting ready to stand

Personal appearance: Businesspeople heading to the office or young people on their way to a date will want to look their best. Watch for telltale signs like fixing their hair or straightening their shirt and tie

2, 3 Baggage: Find people who are holding firmly onto their bags, or who are in the process of putting away cellphones and other items. Placing a bookmark in the book and closing it is also a clear signal they’re about to get off

1 Waking up: Yawning, neck stretching, eye rubbing and cheek slapping are all signs of someone trying to jerk himself awake before the next stop

Source: Tsukin Densha de Suwaru Gijutsu (Techniques for Getting a Seat on a Commuter Train) by Hajime Yorozu (Kanki Shuppan, 2005)