Ignorant train passengers

malkyh

So as usual I get on the packed train looking for a seat. See one ahead, but the woman has taken it upon herself to give her bag the seat beside her. I walk up and stop at the seat. She looks at me, I smile as I expect her to move her bag. She actually shakes her head, tuts, and chucks her bag on her knee.

I couldn't help myself but say. 'hopefully your bag won't be too uncomfortable there'

Stupid cow.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Yeah its becoming more and more of a problem the old bags on seats, I dont know why they do it then get mardy when you ask them to remove it.

Read this story where a passenger got smacked http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2114536/Why-drunken-company-director-Kevin-Fowler-belted-man-laptop-bag-seat.html#ixzz1p63UuzR9

Pollycat

I think it's really rude.

It's the same on buses. I put my handbag (usually a big one) on the seat next to me but always move it in advance of someone needing the seat.

It's the same with those spaces for wheelchairs/pushchairs.
If I'm sat there, I'll move if I see someone getting on who needs the space but a lot of people don't.

Ich_2

I've been on services where the train manager has made it clear that if bags are on seats the owner will be expected to pay an additional full fair for the bag (don't know it that is enforcable but it got a lot of bags shifted and passengers sat down)

flossyblog

You have to take the dutch approach, don't bother giving eye contact and proceed to sit down.

malkyh

Ich wrote: »

I've been on services where the train manager has made it clear that if bags are on seats the owner will be expected to pay an additional full fair for the bag (don't know it that is enforcable but it got a lot of bags shifted and passengers sat down)

You occasionally get an announcement over the PA system on the service I use telling people to take their feet and their bags off the seats.

I don't mind bags on seats if the train is quiet. I just don't understand people who would even put their bag on a seat on a rush hour train. Surely they would know the train is going to be busy.

Azari

I usually put my bag on the seat next to me as the carriage is usually nearly empty when I get on. But on occasions where it fills up I always remove it and stow it overhead well before people have to start hunting for seats.

Alias_Omega

Should of asked her "Can i sit on your knee...", of which she will reply "No". Then you can ask her to move her bag.

I am a person who likes talking to other people on the train as it makes them feel uncomfortable. They try to revert into iPod/iPhone/Texting mode.

System

malkyh wrote: »

She looks at me, I smile as I expect her to move her bag. .

I'm not sure who is the more ignorant here. The other passenger for not reacting to somebody standing next to her with a stupid smile on her face and no indication of what she wants or the OP for just standing there with a stupid smile on her face and not giving a clue about what she wants. For all the other passenger knew the OP may just have wanted to stand there and grin at people.

OP, maybe opening your mouth and asking is the way forward regardless of the 'unwritten' rule of tube, train and bus that you should never speak to another passenger.

50/50 I reckon

trukdiver

I was travelling from London to Warrington and had to change at Crewe. I had a reserved seat on both legs. When I got on at Crewe, there was a woman sitting in my seat, with her bag on the seat next to her. When I asked her to move, she grumbled and said why couldn't I stand - it was only one stop!

Absinthe_2

Its best to ask someone, politely, but directly, "can I sit down", rather than stand there hovering, or being aggressive as in that news article.

There are some trains where there is little room to store your baggage so often leave on the seat next to me, as I usually get on an empty train. I'll always move it as soon as someone needs a seat, so never been a problem, even when crammed in like sardines. One of those things at popular times.