connatic | Subway crowding

As I was trying to enter a crowded subway car this morning, two women close to the entrance tried to push me out of the car using their shopping bags. I pushed my way in anyway, and they acted most insulted. The car was crowded, but not as badly as on many other days; in fact, our section could probably hold 3 or 4 more people and still not be as busy as the next section one set of doors down. One of women made a point of slamming me with her bag as she left the train at the next station.

I am sure my behavior was quite impolite; but I am also wondering what led them to expect they had the right to an uncrowded subway car during rush hour.