The Matter of Bench Bag Seat
A bag is occupying a public seat. The seat is needed. The bag has been there since before the person who needs the seat arrived. The negotiation is silent.
The bench had three seats.
Two were occupied by people who arrived first. One was occupied by a bag, whose owner was one of the two people, and who had placed the bag there during a moment when the bench was empty.
The bench is no longer empty.
The Status of the Bag
The bag is not a person. It does not have a seat entitlement. It was placed on a seat because placing it on the floor would mean leaning down to retrieve it, and placing it on the seat cost nothing when the bench was empty.
The bench being no longer empty has changed the cost. The cost is now: acknowledging that the bag should be moved.
The Owner's Position
The owner is aware of the approaching person. The owner is aware that the bag is on a seat. The owner is performing engagement with a point in the middle distance because initiating the move before being asked requires acknowledging that the bag was in the way, which is slightly more uncomfortable than being asked.
Being asked gives both parties a transaction: request, acknowledgment, resolution. This transaction is familiar and comfortable. Proactive removal requires the owner to act unilaterally on behalf of a stranger's need, which is also fine but requires a different social initiation.
The Resolution
"Sorry, is anyone sitting here?"
The bag was moved. The seat was available. The person sat down. The owner returned to looking at their phone. The transaction was completed.
Both parties knew it was going to end this way from the moment the person appeared. The thirty seconds between appearance and request were the negotiation. The negotiation concluded correctly.
The bag is now on the floor.