Ignorant train passengers

Absinthe_2

!!!!!! wrote: »

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

I agree entirely with that. It really annoys me when someone takes the grinning idiot approach. I move my bag automatically, but a stubborn streak in me always waits for them to open their mouth when they do that. Just to see if they do actually speak.

malkyh

!!!!!! wrote: »

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

Are you for real? No indication of what I want? Isn't is obvious when you board a train and walk down the isle that you are looking for a seat?

So I'm ignorant for smiling, but not asking her to move her bag? I shouldn't have to ask someone to take their bag off the seat on a packed rush hour train.

PS. I'm a he, not a she.

malkyh

Absinthe wrote: »

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.

Why the hell should I have to ask someone's permission to sit down on a public train?

VfM4meplse

malkyh wrote: »

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

You did the right thing.

Now don't let this incident spoil your day.

malkyh

VfM4meplse wrote: »

You did the right thing.

Now don't let this incident spoil your day.

My day is ruined. RUINED I TELL YOU.

I'm going to resort to kicking pensioners in the street now.

pendragon_arther

I usually ask if they've bought two tickets and go to sit on their bags which they move very quickly.

Absinthe_2

malkyh wrote: »

Why the hell should I have to ask someone's permission to sit down on a public train?

Try using the aggressive approach like idiot in that article, and see where it gets you.

System

malkyh wrote: »

Are you for real? No indication of what I want? Isn't is obvious when you board a train and walk down the isle that you are looking for a seat?

So I'm ignorant for smiling, but not asking her to move her bag? I shouldn't have to ask someone to take their bag off the seat on a packed rush hour train.

PS. I'm a he, not a she.

Anger management problem as well? Not your day really?

Mado

Absinthe wrote: »

I agree entirely with that. It really annoys me when someone takes the grinning idiot approach. I move my bag automatically, but a stubborn streak in me always waits for them to open their mouth when they do that. Just to see if they do actually speak.

Be careful with that attitude. At least the Op was smiling. I'm always polite by default by I'm finding that when people are deliberatly trying, my patience can ran thin. Catch me on a day with PMT playing at the complete idiot and you'll probably get an earful.

We had a similar issue on the other day; 3 of us climb into a train that was reasonably full. 2 girls sitting across a 2 x 3 seats, one barefoot sitting cross legged with her bags next to her. 2 of us started sitting on the clear side while the girl on the other side gave us the look "what do you mean, it isn't my god given right to use 3 seats for myself". I was tempted to ask her to put her shoes on as well.

munchpot

Hmm71 - That winds me up too. Although had the best moment on the bus a while ago. The bus was quite crowded and a young lad (late teens / early twenties) was sitting in the disabled / accesible seats. An elderly - but by no means OLD woman got on the bus - made a beeline for him pushing past other passengers and loudly asked 'And what gives you the right to sit there?' The young lad simply smiled - lifted his trouser leg, knocked on his artifical leg and said 'That does'

Her face was a picture and all around you could see other passengers shoulders rising and dropping as we all tried to stiffle our laughter