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AIBU?

To wonder why some people can be so unsympathetic to others - train rant

17 replies

witchofzog · 20/10/2016 14:40

Travelling on a train today and just as we left the station a panic stricken young student type guy runs down the carriage and asks the conductor what train he is on. It transpires that he has got on the late running train I was on as opposed to the next long distance train due to leave next from the same platform to a far away big city.

Most of the people in the carriage hear and start laughing amongst themselves, talking in loud voices about how he has no chance of catching the train now and how funny it was he is going to miss it. It was only myself and another guy who didn't seem to find it quite so amusing.

I was getting off at the next station so I showed him which platform to get the quickest train back and we checked national rail enquiries but it was clear he had missed his train so not sure what he will do next. Hopefully he will be allowed on a later train. But I was really shocked at how awful people can be and hope if it happens to their son / daughter in the future, people show a bit more compassion or at least indifference to them rather than laughing at them. Bunch of arseholes

OP posts:

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someonestolemynick · 20/10/2016 14:52

I would have laughed first and then helped.
He got on the wrong train not lost in the jungle. He'll be fine, if he speaks to staff at that station.

FoxesOnSocks · 20/10/2016 15:07

I don't see what's actually funny about it. It's not like I'm Ms Empathy 2016 or anythingI just can't see the pinch line. He's got on wrong train, he'll be later getting where he wanted after a big detour so no tragedy, but also nothing amusing enough to make me laugh.

HumphreyCobblers · 20/10/2016 15:10

I don't think it is funny either. I would not laugh at someone in this situation.

QueenLizIII · 20/10/2016 15:12

Sounds like most of the people on this site and in RL tbh.

Won't put themselves out for anyone or do anything to help anyone even their own family and laugh at others misfortune.

Kokosjumping · 20/10/2016 15:14

I've not found most of MN like that at all liz

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 20/10/2016 15:15

Crikey where was this? I do Birmingham to London often and people realise that they are on the wrong train frequently - to be honest nobody else tends to react at all. If someone looked like they needed help, I think people would probably help, but talking about it and laughing feels alien!

We must be doing a really good "professional train" thing round here.

AllTheBabies · 20/10/2016 15:15

I don't think that's funny at all. Even if you are an unsympathetic and mean person o don't see the humour in it

BewtySkoolDropowt · 20/10/2016 15:16

It's really not funny, can't see why people think it is.

QueenLizIII · 20/10/2016 15:17

Most of MN comes across like this....

MIL wants to stay for one night....why fucking should I etc etc cue lots of people saying you go girl you are SO important dont put yourself out ever at all for anyone.

witchofzog · 20/10/2016 15:18

He had a ticket for that particular train so it could cost him a pretty penny. And he was travelling about 300 miles so not close. But he was obviously upset and worried so to laugh openly at him seemed totally unnecessary and just not particularly kind

OP posts:

witchofzog · 20/10/2016 15:19

It was Yorkshire Anchor

OP posts:

BowieFan · 20/10/2016 16:07

Not funny to me either. I'm in the North and the time to laugh would have been once he'd got off and he was going the right way. I pretty regularly do Manchester to London on the train and there's always someone who cocks up their journey, nobody ever laughs.

I don't see what's even funny about it - it's bloody terrifying when you have no idea where you are or if they'll even let you on a later train.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/10/2016 16:14

Oh, poor boy - at this time of year quite likely to be a new student who isn't too used to the trains, and has limited funds. I do hope that since his mistake was due to him being in the right place at the right time but the train being wrong, that he's sorted out without extra cost.

On behalf of mothers of slightly clueless teens, for trying to help him - just having someone sympathetic to talk to was good.

CremeEggThief · 20/10/2016 16:20

No, it's not funny at all. What if he was on his way to an exam or an interview? I still remember the sheer panic I felt when I once got on the wrong train 20 years ago. Luckily, I was able to get off at the next stop about 20 minutes away, but the feeling as the train went the other way was just awful.

HotNatured · 20/10/2016 16:20

Not remotely funny.

But then I'm not the sort of cunt who laughs at other's misfortune

Unless it involves my dick of an ex

Dozer · 20/10/2016 16:24

I wouldn't laugh, but wouldn't get involved or seek to help another adult like you did OP, unless they asked or were really distressed or ill.

JellyBelli · 20/10/2016 16:27

Good for you witchofzog .
Getting on the wrong train would be a nightmare for me, and its a very easy thing to do.
People can be malicious and spiteful without realising, or wanting their behaviour to be labelled as that.

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