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AIBU?

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Original poster

Children and Dogs in first class on trains

858 replies

CQaire · 31/12/2023 02:28

Today I was travelling from Carlisle to London on the train to spend New Year with my sister, just me and my 20 year old daughter. We decided to go first class thinking it would be more relaxing and we'd enjoy a little tipple etc.
At the next stop on from us a family with 4 children and a dog got on and were in first class too. Mum, a baby (maybe 1 or so) and twin toddlers at a table for 4, dad and maybe a 5 year old or so at the table for 2 across from them and a spaniel dog.
They were all very chatty to the point earphones didn't help, the dog was barking, dad seemed useless mum seemed to be juggling all the kids + dog herself. Baby was crying etc. This was a 3 hour journey. The kids barely touched any food or had anything to drink so I'm not sure if you pay for under 5s in first class but if you do it can't have been worth it.
DD agreed that it was odd to travel with a dog and kids in first class, especially when there is a standard premium option on these trains which is the same carriage type as first class without the food.
AIBU to think dogs and small children don't belong in first class on a train? (Or plane or anywhere else for that matter).

OP posts:
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BethDuttonsTwin · 31/12/2023 02:30

YABU. Kids can be anywhere their parents want to pay for them to be. There’s no other social group it would be acceptable to exclude as you’re suggesting.

Sugarfree23 · 31/12/2023 02:31

Why on earth not?

Achillo · 31/12/2023 02:34

YABU.
Finding families being chatty as undesirable seems rather excessive. It's just a train carriage, not a library. First class doesn't mean you take a vow of silence.
Some may sit there in silent/ whispered judgement of others, but for plenty of folk 3 hours on a train with family is a time for relaxing and chatting.

neilyoungismyhero · 31/12/2023 02:35

Super snobbery going on here

TyneTeas · 31/12/2023 02:38

YABU

I think a few train companies even do a discount first class upgrade at weekends for a nominal amount that is especially attractive with the Family Railcard discount on the eligible standard ticket

ReindeerShelter · 31/12/2023 02:41

YABU. Why on Earth wouldn’t they be allowed in first class?

Although I do agree animals shouldn’t be on public transport at all.

Klcak · 31/12/2023 02:43

This is the nature of public transport. Shit basically.

R4D4 · 31/12/2023 02:46

Children are people. Of course they can travel first class.

Animals should not be on public transport at all.

user1492757084 · 31/12/2023 02:46

First class is the best place for all those small children.
The toilets are nicer, the parents can eat and the kids, should they wish to.
The company in first class is usually more tolerant for children (fewer drunks). And I would love to travel for three hours with a dog.

mondaytosunday · 31/12/2023 02:49

But your 20 month old was in first class too - so by your reasoning you shouldn't have been there either. If your child had a crying fit would you have moved?

JustanotherMNSlapperTwat · 31/12/2023 02:49

YABU

I would take a family and a dog over drunken men any day and no one ever seems to want to ban them

Original poster
CQaire · 31/12/2023 02:50

mondaytosunday · 31/12/2023 02:49

But your 20 month old was in first class too - so by your reasoning you shouldn't have been there either. If your child had a crying fit would you have moved?

20 YEAR old

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 31/12/2023 02:53

YABU, being in First Class is based on you paying the extra for the privilege. If someone has paid, then they are entitled to be there, regardless of accompanying children and dogs.

ItAintGonnaGoDownEasyIfItAintCheezy · 31/12/2023 02:59

Yanbu, and I'd expect better behaviour if I paid for 1st, but maybe book the quiet carriage instead.

jillgreen · 31/12/2023 03:01

I'm going to be the minority opinion and say YANBU. Some people book first class as a special treat like you did and it's not cheap to do so. Others do it so they can get work done in peace. If you know you're going to be disruptive (small kids, dogs, big groups of chatty mates) then I think it's a bit crap to book into first class when there are normal carriages nextdoor.

GreenWheat · 31/12/2023 03:06

So your question is "Can I buy segregation from people I don't like on public transport?". No, you can't. Personally I don't like people whose headphones leak awful music, or businessman who talk with loud pomposity about their boring jobs the whole journey. Can I get them banned d'ya reckon?

Nofilteritwonthelp · 31/12/2023 03:08

Agree with you OP, wish they'd do this on planes too. First class should mean 'class', unfortunately many people don't have it and don't care about anyone besides themselves

Nofilteritwonthelp · 31/12/2023 03:10

jillgreen · 31/12/2023 03:01

I'm going to be the minority opinion and say YANBU. Some people book first class as a special treat like you did and it's not cheap to do so. Others do it so they can get work done in peace. If you know you're going to be disruptive (small kids, dogs, big groups of chatty mates) then I think it's a bit crap to book into first class when there are normal carriages nextdoor.

Exactly, you're doing it because you want a relaxing and enjoyable experience! I have a 2yo and wouldn't inflict that on others if it could be helped, even though my DC is very well behaved, no one chooses to trial with a toddler, and a dog is just ridiculous

Badgerandfox227 · 31/12/2023 03:13

I think you have to consider that you travelled on a Saturday during the holidays, so the usual type of passengers in first class would be different to say a mid week none holiday journey. I’ve always found trains full of kids in holidays. The family would also be thinking they’re unlikely to be disturbing people working on a Saturday.
I feel for the mom that must have been super stressful, but also sympathise with you if you were expecting some luxury. Sadly that’s the price of public transport, you have no idea who’s going to be travelling with you.

Sugarfree23 · 31/12/2023 03:22

Some first class have a food service. Definitely worth paying the upgrade if your travelling with small kids, saves trying to take them with you to the buffet car/shop. They bring food to you.

R4D4 · 31/12/2023 03:23

ItAintGonnaGoDownEasyIfItAintCheezy · 31/12/2023 02:59

Yanbu, and I'd expect better behaviour if I paid for 1st, but maybe book the quiet carriage instead.

What was wrong with their behaviour? A family sat at a table. A baby cried a bit (shock). The family spoke to each other and "chatted" (surely better than all on screens which is always criticised?). Children are part of society and shouldn't be frowned upon for merely existing in public spaces. Nothing to OP mentioned suggested they were badly behaved.

The only antisocial thing they did that the OP mentioned was to bring a dog onto public transport.

R4D4 · 31/12/2023 03:25

Although I do agree that trains were far more pleasant when they had separate compartments for 6-8 people. Perhaps we should be demanding train companies provide better trains again rather than packing people in like rats in a sack with first class barely distinguisable from the basic carriages.

GeorgeA12 · 31/12/2023 03:26

yanbu unreasonable in my opinion and i would not have enjoyed it. Given you are spending extra i would expect that you can enjoy your journey in first class. I would be much happier if they had separate compulsory carriages for drinkers, families, loud mobile phone users, smelly sandwich eaters, animal people, cheap headphone users and stag doers. Leave me to enjoy first class in peace.

Dont get me started on cinemas....which is also of annoyance. How anyone can enjoy a film whilst consuming and making great noise with food, sweets, popcorn, stinky nachos is anyones guess!

falalalalalalalallama · 31/12/2023 03:26

Fuck me, talk about entitled. You OP, not the family, for clarity.

YABU. Hopefully this is a reverse.

Smugandproud · 31/12/2023 03:27

I used to love taking dd first class. And seeing the look on faces like yours op just added to the pleasure. Dd was always well behaved but quite chatty.

If someone wants to pay for first class their money is as good as yours.