Is it standers / standees?
NOT A TEACHER
Excellent question, Vpkannan.
I have done some googling and would like to share some ideas (
not "answers") with you.
1. The word "stander" was used to refer to those two men because they were standing, not sitting. They were "stand
ers," not "sitt
ers."
2. The word "standee"
usually applies to people who pay for the privilege of standing.
a. If there are no more seats available at a concert, some places will allow "standees," i.e., people who are allowed to pay for the right to stand somewhere in the hall and watch the concert.
3. Yes, I do believe that sometimes native speakers disagree on which word to use.
a. On a crowded subway car, should we refer to people who are standing as "standers" or "standees"? (I will keep my opinion to myself.)
4. I do believe, however, that referring to those two standing men in my post (#14) as "standees" might be a bit humorous.
a. An interesting fact: If you happen to witness an accident, you will be called a "bystander." (Not a "bystandee.")