My feelings are more important than yours.
Getting to work via the subway is never fun. On good days it is tolerable and you are thankful for that. I have begun a new subway commute and after just one week I have had it with the pole leaners. Chris Rock once elegantly stated, If you have a daughter it is your “only job in life is to keep her off the pole.” I believe this goes for subway poles as well. Nice job, Dad.
I'm leaning here! I'm leaning here!
Both photos on this post are form the SAME COMMUTE. Rush hour. What is with god’s special snowflakes that they believe the pole was put there just for them? Rub your butt against it and block and entire section of seats because you are that special. Come on, those nasty, pink-eye ridden poles are there so those of us unlucky enough to not get a seat don’t have to go flying across the car every time the train makes a turn or a lurching stop. They are not there for you to claim as your own little subway kingdom. Stay off the dang pole.
Town Grump 
I’m a jerk and I grab the pole anyway. Oh I’m sorry did I poke you in the back that you were so rudely taking up the whole pole with?
If the train is crowded enough, and the person isn’t too much bigger than me I will just grab the pole without even acknowledging it, leaving the leaner to stew in their own sense of entitlement and self importance.