to offer a tissue to the person opposite me

[ocelot41]

Am on a train - have been for the last 50 mins. The person opposite me is doing great big snorty sniffs the whole way every 30 seconds or so. Would it be rude to offer a tissue in order to prevent stabbing him/her in just a few stops' time? WWYD?

[kelda]

I would - I have - offered a tissue!

[QOD]

I do the glare and tut with a mutter

[DragonMamma]

I have done plenty of times

[ocelot41]

What was the response Kelda? It is a tad passive aggressive. But really the whole coach tenses up every time....

[kelda]

They accepted gratefully.

[ThisFenceIsComfy]

I hate the sound of people blowing their nose as much as the snot snorting

[ocelot41]

She is on her phone! Secret MNetter?

[ocelot41]

And the sniffing has....stopped!

[UnalignedAnt]

Wad tissues and throw at snotty's head. Keep doing so until she blows nose. Alternatively do a tactical protest vom, mop up with said tissues while glaring at her.

[ocelot41]

No she has totally stopped. Either all snot has now been sucked up so far it will need a few hours to redescend or she's a MNetter. If the latter, hi! (waves timidly)

[Staywithme]

If the latter, hi! (waves timidly)

Waves back.


Only joking. Sorry couldn't resist that.

[ocelot41]

I had a quick heart sink moment there...

[Staywithme]

Lol. ocelot

Has she looked over at you yet. If she is a secret mumsnetter she'll be itching to look over.
Hello Ms Snotty woman. Sorry if you've a runny nose. The nice lady across from you has as pair hankie.
I've visions of you two being best friends Ocelot or you being followed of the train by a snotty stalker

[hestialou]

Defo offer may have run out of own, I be grateful xx

[ocelot41]

Nope, no eye contact at all. Still on phone. I have to get off in two stops. Lady with snotty nose and pink headphones my hankies are at your disposal until then!

[gamerwidow]

Give her a tissue. I was the sniffer on the train the other day when I got caught out with no tissues. I would have loved someone to help me out.

[theblankslate]

Most definitely a MNer, far too coincidental not to be at least I really hope she is. Definitely the beginning of your BFF story, heart warming.

[ocelot41]

An but did you snort so hard it sounded as if you were trying to get it back up to the vicinity of your eyeballs? Or discreet sniffle ? ( We have all done it). My guess is the headphones may be blocking out the snortier aspects...

[ocelot41]

Oh no! She's getting off! Pls post Snotty Lady if you are indeed a MNetter and I will bring you Lemsip and everything!

[EveBoswell]

People in some cultures think it's rude to blow your nose. Sniffing is the norm where they live.

Different from that though, I had a job once where we dealt with sponsorship to allow immigrants into the UK. I'll never forget the disgust I felt when we had a man in (won't say where from) and he blew his nose on the bottom of his jumper.

[BoredFatCat]

lol thats gross

[Lottapianos]

I know a woman who wears a light cotton hijab at home - I have seen her wipe her nose on it

Constant sniffing makes me murderous too OP. FGS, blow your nose and get it out and then you can stop bloody sniffing! I have seen other people offer tissues to sniffy fellow passengers and it has always been accepted gratefully. I had a sniffer next to me once - I offered her a tissue, she looked shocked, said thank you, then put it in her bag and carried on sniffing!

[PintofCiderPlease]

Oh, this brings back memories of sniffers in lecture theatres, sitting right behind me.

With good friends I've been known to offer a tissue, and if they turn it down add 'PLEASE use it!!! The sniffs are like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.'