Page 4 | Eating on Trains

likepebblesonabeach · 2024-06-07T13:42:52+00:00

I travel on the train daily to work, 30 mins each way. I've just came back from a 3 hour train journey and was shocked that a family of 4 got on with fish and chips. The whole carriage was stinking of fish and chips and the majority of passengers were on the train the whole journey so had to put up with this for 3 hours. AIBU that if you travel on public transport you should be aware of those around you?

mitogoshi · 10/06/2024 14:48

Where I was living prior, there was a little restaurant by the station selling tiffin boxes to go, people changing trains could arrange for their order to be handed over the barrier. Can't see the problem myself with smells as the buffet car sold chicken tikka masala! The only food I want banned is eggs, cold that is in any form revolting smell

Blarneytalk · 10/06/2024 14:41

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 10/06/2024 14:33

McDonalds really isn't smelly

Just to people who hate McDonalds on principal

Exactly!

Who then describe people as stuffing themselves and it clinging to hair and clothes, ridiculous!

NigelHarmansNewWife · 10/06/2024 14:36

Changingplace · 07/06/2024 15:20

Why inconsiderate? Because it was probably better quality than the meal you’d get served on a flight? 🤣

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Debatable on Emirates - the food is a cut above the average airline and you get a choice (faints)

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 10/06/2024 14:33

McDonalds really isn't smelly

Just to people who hate McDonalds on principal

yumyumyumy · 10/06/2024 10:51

McDonald's is smelly! It's pungent and intrusive. The smell sticks in your clothes/hair. Not saying it's unpleasant to me but food with strong smells shouldn't be eaten on public transport.

SunriseSunsets · 10/06/2024 10:43

I've seen McDonald's described as smelly on here loads of times!

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 10/06/2024 10:26

Most people would not consider McDonalds smelly....

And plenty of things can "actively upset" other people when other people think they are entitled to eg a completely silent carriage (when not in the quiet carriage) so glare at a group laughing together or entitled to NO FOOD at all.

Also, as pointed out above, several foods that have been called "smelly" are actively SERVED to first class passengers which makes it more a class divide.

SirQuintusAurelius · 10/06/2024 09:39

Such high drama and judgement of people eating on the train 🙄.

I'm not sure it's a definition of character really!

Of course it is if you are talking about intrusive smelly smells like fish & chips or McDonalds. Or as I mentiond above painting nails with a strong chemical smell.

A chocolate bar or a cheese sandwich is no big deal but selfishly doing anything that is for your own pleasure that actively upsets or interferes with other peoples space and the normal neutrality - especially in a confined and closed environment like a train -absolutely is about character - selfishness, decency and manners.

Blarneytalk · 10/06/2024 07:18

likepebblesonabeach · 09/06/2024 10:39

This post seems to have a clear divide, those who would eat on trains but be mindful of those around them when choosing what to eat and those that would eat whatever they want, not considering those around them as long as they themselves were happy.
This insignificant little question that I asked seems to show the differences in society in general too.

Such high drama and judgement of people eating on the train 🙄.

I'm not sure it's a definition of character really!

NeverEnoughPants · 09/06/2024 20:52

SocksAndTheCity · 09/06/2024 20:11

No, and no. I'm also not familiar with the act of reading a sandwich, hence my interest.

Maybe reread the post I quoted.

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Or maybe you could read the thread to see that someone else pointed out my error, and that I have already acknowledged it...

SocksAndTheCity · 09/06/2024 20:11

NeverEnoughPants · 09/06/2024 02:02

Are you discobeat? Or do you also feel awkward eating a sandwich next to a stranger?

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No, and no. I'm also not familiar with the act of reading a sandwich, hence my interest.

Maybe reread the post I quoted.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 09/06/2024 13:49

muddyford · 09/06/2024 10:39

Cold curry for breakfast is also awesome!

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Completely agree

NeverEnoughPants · 09/06/2024 10:52

ItsNotAShopItsAStore · 09/06/2024 10:45

I once sat on a tiny train opposite someone who had bought a warm fish pie 🤮 cold food is fine to eat. Hot food is a no no.

Funnily enough, the last time I travelled by train, fish pie was one of the menu options. I had the vegetable curry.

I'm not sure that it's ok to offer hot food to first class passengers but ban standard class passengers from having any.

Seedsnnut · 09/06/2024 10:46

PuttingDownRoots · 09/06/2024 10:31

Even if you were on the train for 8hrs, covering two meal times?

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I don’t think I’ve been on an 8 hour train journey! My longer train journeys are typically 2-5 hours and I’m fine just to grab something from Pret or M&S at Euston or wherever, then just have a snack immediately before or during my journey. If it was longer yeah I may well want something like a sandwich.

ItsNotAShopItsAStore · 09/06/2024 10:45

I once sat on a tiny train opposite someone who had bought a warm fish pie 🤮 cold food is fine to eat. Hot food is a no no.

NeverEnoughPants · 09/06/2024 10:43

MarthaDunstable · 09/06/2024 10:35

I think you need to reread your post to get the joke.

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Oops!!! Yeah, hadn't spotted that. 😆

Thanks!

muddyford · 09/06/2024 10:39

cardibach · 08/06/2024 09:11

Curry for breakfast is awesome. I wouldn’t take it on a train because I couldn’t keep it warm enough and I’m too uncoordinated to eat runny food on the move, but as a concept? Love it.

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Cold curry for breakfast is also awesome!

Original poster

likepebblesonabeach · 09/06/2024 10:39

This post seems to have a clear divide, those who would eat on trains but be mindful of those around them when choosing what to eat and those that would eat whatever they want, not considering those around them as long as they themselves were happy.
This insignificant little question that I asked seems to show the differences in society in general too.

OP posts:

MarthaDunstable · 09/06/2024 10:35

NeverEnoughPants · 09/06/2024 02:02

Are you discobeat? Or do you also feel awkward eating a sandwich next to a stranger?

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I think you need to reread your post to get the joke.

PuttingDownRoots · 09/06/2024 10:31

Seedsnnut · 09/06/2024 01:21

I don’t mind it but I can understand why some do. I personally don’t eat any more than a chocolate bar and a coffee on trains. Public transport is just generally a bit grimy in this country. Dogs on seats, feet on seats, food rubbish left everywhere.

Even if you were on the train for 8hrs, covering two meal times?

cardibach · 09/06/2024 10:27

DiscoBeat · 08/06/2024 23:04

Well if I were sitting immediately next to a complete stranger and pulling out a sandwich and munching on it, I would feel very awkward. I guess this is why some people eat on trains and others don't. And others go the whole way and bring a full on hot meal. We're all different!

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I get that we are different. I just don’t see why that would feel awkward to anyone. Eating is perfectly normal. How do you manage on planes?

NeverEnoughPants · 09/06/2024 02:02

SocksAndTheCity · 09/06/2024 01:01

That would depend on who the sandwich is by.

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Are you discobeat? Or do you also feel awkward eating a sandwich next to a stranger?

Seedsnnut · 09/06/2024 01:25

DiscoBeat · 08/06/2024 23:06

I completely agree about the seats. I've always wondered why they're made of fabric that just absorbs sweat and dirt. Surely you'd choose a more cleanable material on public transport.

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Good point. I used to live in Seoul and I’m fairly sure the seats were either something like plastic or leather but not fabric. Even on the new Elizabeth line in London I think they’ve used fabric seats.

Seedsnnut · 09/06/2024 01:21

I don’t mind it but I can understand why some do. I personally don’t eat any more than a chocolate bar and a coffee on trains. Public transport is just generally a bit grimy in this country. Dogs on seats, feet on seats, food rubbish left everywhere.

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 09/06/2024 01:11

CheeseyOnionPie · 08/06/2024 23:10

Wholly unacceptable. Nothing that wouldn’t be part of a meal deal should be the rule.

The train SELLS hot food
And some places have hot food in a meal deal
And meal deals definitely include tuna or egg sandwiches....