Eating on Trains

Don't want to revive an old thread but I just wanted to say I am currently eating fish and chips on a train and I looked up this thread in order to prove to my husband that I was not being weird for feeling awkward about it!

We are coming home from the beach, very hungry, bought fish and chips for dinner but then realised we'd got confused about train times and there was no time to eat it before the train came. The train looked like it would be packed and I kept saying I would feel too awkward eating it if the carriage was full. He said it would be fine and didn't believe me that anyone would mind! I don't mind it myself but I'm aware some people do and that would make me avoid it.

Luckily we found a carriage that was almost empty in the end so I felt less weird about it 😅 Anyway, although I don't think there's anything wrong (to me) in having food smells on the train, I am happy this thread let me win an argument with DH 😂

I can't see why people would eat anything more than a chocolate bar on the tube.

On mainline trains though I don't see why you can't eat a full meal.

@CasperGutman it makes me feel sick and is massively antisocial. Why eat eggs on the tube? I know plenty of people do. If you're one of them then stop doing it! Lol

If you said you found the smell of fried eggs unpleasant and would prefer people didn't eat them on a train, I'd have sympathy (although, you mentioned "egg and bacon breakfast sandwiches" without singling out the eggs, and I note that the smell of bacon is regularly used as an example of one many people find particularly appetising).

But "utterly repulsive" and "vile" are very extreme terms to use in relation to foods that millions of people choose to eat every day. You've clearly crossed over into being unreasonable here, by any objective standard.

@CasperGutman in an airless cramped enclosed space, at 7am, the smell of greasy fried egg is utterly repulsive. I'm not the only one who feels that way either. It's vile.

Eh? You had to "leave the train to be sick" because someone was eating a commonplace breakfast sandwich? I think it's clear that the issue is yours here.

I wouldn't eat fish and chips onboard because it is a bit antisocial and impractical in a small space (the paper wrapping takes up lots of room). But eating hot food generally is clearly acceptable behaviour. Train operating companies sell hot food, including breakfast sandwiches, on board for people to eat at their seats.* Eating a bacon butty bought at the station is no different from eating one bought on the train.

*e.g., Food bar all day bites menu | Transport for Wales (tfw.wales)

I’d rather a family eating fish and chips than people getting absolutely wankered on alcohol . I see that way more than the food thing. It’s especially bad when they’re talking really loudly about their sexual exploits or swearing when I’m on my way back from a day out with my 5 year old…

At work some people complain about the smell of curry in the canteen at 10 in the morning but having worked with someone who had extreme bo - actually made me feel sick - I know what I'd prefer.

Generally I would take sandwiches on a long train journey but I must admit I have taken the odd McDs and I've bought a hot pasty from a railway kiosk before to take on the train. I've never really thought about it.

I think my answer depends on whether it’s me (and I’m starving and won’t have time to eat when I get there due to the pressures of modern living) or it’s someone else (and I’m feeling irritable and sick of the smells and sounds) 🤣

The only objection that I would have to someone tucking into some chips would be that it would make me feel hungry. Obviously in a restaurant I would have food of my own.

All objections are null and void if they offer me a chip though.

there are lots all around the world especially in Asia / Americas

Antibacterial wipes?

I hate to tell you this, but there are also toilets on trains... and while I always wash my hands after going, I can't guarantee that everyone does.

It's disgusting to eat on the train
You touch the train pole that someone else touched and used your hand to eat. Just gross

It's very obvious, in a restaurant everyone is eating, on a train most people are not.

Having caught the bus back sitting next to BO that may actually have been the person had shat themselves...
I longed for the smell of fish and chips 🤣

Change carriage

You have less personal space on a train

I boarded a train at 3.07pm and I'm not getting off until almost midnight. I'm not waiting for home until "pigging out". As it happens, I had peanut chicken satay and baked fries that I bought in the station and I'm in first class so I'll have whatever hot option they have later.. or a grazing plate with various meats.

Why is eating fish and chips ‘pigging out’?

It’s just eating food, isn’t it?

I was going to mention all the rank chicken in cardboard boxes consumed on buses by the teenagers. F'ing revolting. Rubbing their stinky chicken fingers all over the bus seats.

I've only seen this "eating in public is disgusting" thing on mumsnet. Literally never heard of it in real life. I don't know if it's a window into an older generation who had this rule, or just a small but very vocal minority in some places.

I'd rather smell fish and chips than perfume or BO, personally. But accept I have to put up with all of them.

I eat on trains all the time. Many times it is served by the train company itself in 1st class - scrambled eggs on toast is a frequent go to in the morning, others have smoked salmon, bacon rolls etc. they all have an aroma. I've seen multiple people with McDonalds, pizza, KFC etc. personally I can't abide the stench of fried chicken, it is repulsive. McDonald's also has a strong distinctive smell. Pizza it depends on the toppings, pepperoni is nasty! Sushi is also gross. But none of it is as bad as BO, unwashed clothes, farty people, people who bathed in old lady musky perfume / cheap body spray etc. Unfortunately they are all a part of public transport. I could drive (would take double the time and triple the stress) but the train is more convenient, even if it is stinkier than my car.

You and me both!

But a PP started spouting on about tube trains for some irrelevant reason!