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AIBU?

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Original poster

Eating on Trains

293 replies

likepebblesonabeach · 07/06/2024 14:42

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?

OP posts:
SocksAndTheCity · 09/06/2024 01:01

NeverEnoughPants · 09/06/2024 00:58

How would you feel about a stranger next to you on a train reading a sandwich?

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That would depend on who the sandwich is by.

NeverEnoughPants · 09/06/2024 00:58

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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How would you feel about a stranger next to you on a train reading a sandwich?

Thepossibility · 09/06/2024 00:41

I relish the smell of food on public transport as it covers the smell of people.

CheeseyOnionPie · 08/06/2024 23:10

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

HcbSS · 08/06/2024 23:08

If it’s noisy, smelly or makes a mess you shouldn’t be eating it out of courtesy to others.
What’s wrong with a sandwich if you can’t wait until your destination to eat?

DiscoBeat · 08/06/2024 23:06

YellowSunblueclouds · 08/06/2024 08:40

Public transport is unfortunately one of those things where it’s going to be dirty and smelly whether that’s dogs or stinky food. I just wish they’d make seats plastic and not that material that probably contains every type of bacteria and bodily fluid known to man 🤢

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.

DiscoBeat · 08/06/2024 23:04

cardibach · 07/06/2024 20:38

Why though? I really don’t understand the issue. And ‘almost touching’? Eh?

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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!

SirQuintusAurelius · 08/06/2024 19:31

People are selfish. I was sitting near a world revolves round me so I don't consider others woman on the train who was PAINTING HER NAILS. Who the hell does that in public? The stench of the chemically solvent in a closed train carriage was horrendous. A little boy behind was complaining to his mum he had a headache.

Plus if the train gives an almight jerk or stops suddenly which sometimes happens it almost certainly would have gone everywhere as the bottle slid and tipped on the table.

ButWhatAboutTheBees · 08/06/2024 17:34

yumyumyumy · 08/06/2024 08:17

I can't imagine any of that was particularly smelly food though.

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Pate absolutely stinks in my opinion

MyQuaintDog · 08/06/2024 15:12

First class trains I have been on they provide free snacks. So someone is always eating.

MissingMoominMamma · 08/06/2024 14:46

lovelysunshine22 · 08/06/2024 08:38

How do people who can't cope with others eating on a train manage to cope when flying? The meals on a plane often smell and people often bring macdonalds or kfc type foods on board a plane!

There was nobody eating near to me in first class, and there was aircon. The train was really crowded and hot, and everyone was eating… lots of crisps near me. It just became too much.

I’m not great with eating noises, but I’m not usually cheek by jowl with someone munching crisps or apples either.

Sorry- I’ve replied to the wrong post 🤦‍♀️.

EverythingYouDoIsaBalloon · 08/06/2024 10:14

No let's board the public transport and make everyone else my follow my rules - makes sense eh

Or alternatively, 'Let's board the public transport and exercise some give and take with my fellow passengers.'

It's not an either/or situation.

Blarneytalk · 08/06/2024 09:41

@Mnetcurious lots of people have strong savoury foods for breakfast.

You don't travel much I assume?

SpongeBob2022 · 08/06/2024 09:34

Unless it was extreme such as garlicky curry or really strong smelling fish or eggs it really wouldn't bother me. I wouldn't care about fish and chips or Macdonalds or 'hot food' as a general category. They have McDs in stations so I assume this is fairly common...especially after a night out.

Whatafustercluck · 08/06/2024 09:20

My biggest issue with people eating on trains is that the smell makes me feel hungry! Other than that, I have no issues with it. People, including families, travelling long distances over meal times need to eat. I don't see the problem.

cardibach · 08/06/2024 09:11

Mnetcurious · 08/06/2024 08:39

Unpleasant at any time of day but yes first thing in the morning is worse!

I think in any context (not just on public transport) most people’s stomach would turn at the smell of something strongly savoury, for example curry, at breakfast time but they’d be ok with it later in the day.

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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.

YellowSunblueclouds · 08/06/2024 08:42

SunriseSunsets · 07/06/2024 23:07

Can't believe people think eggs have no smell they are literally one of the smelliest food especially hard boiled, as someone said they can have quite a farty smell hence "eggy farts" 😂 or saying something smells of rotten eggs. Horrible things. My son likes hard boiled eggs but I'd never allow him to take them to school for lunch because they stink and he would be made fun of, same for eggs sandwiches they are very antisocial!

Edited

I follow someone on IG who travels a lot and proudly posts pictures of their traditional stinky egg sandwiches on train journies it’s obviously a thing

YellowSunblueclouds · 08/06/2024 08:40

Public transport is unfortunately one of those things where it’s going to be dirty and smelly whether that’s dogs or stinky food. I just wish they’d make seats plastic and not that material that probably contains every type of bacteria and bodily fluid known to man 🤢

Mnetcurious · 08/06/2024 08:39

Blarneytalk · 08/06/2024 08:30

Do they smell different at 8am to 8pm?

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Unpleasant at any time of day but yes first thing in the morning is worse!

I think in any context (not just on public transport) most people’s stomach would turn at the smell of something strongly savoury, for example curry, at breakfast time but they’d be ok with it later in the day.

lovelysunshine22 · 08/06/2024 08:38

How do people who can't cope with others eating on a train manage to cope when flying? The meals on a plane often smell and people often bring macdonalds or kfc type foods on board a plane!

Babysharkdodododododoo · 08/06/2024 08:31

MissingMoominMamma · 08/06/2024 08:17

I love your username @likepebblesonabeach .

I became so overwhelmed on a long train journey recently, that I upgraded to get away from the smells and eating noises. I couldn’t really afford it, but it was that or get off the train.

Just out of interest how do you cope in restaurants, cafes, eating with family and friends? Or in normal everyday situations?

Do people not eat in first class then?

Blarneytalk · 08/06/2024 08:30

Mnetcurious · 07/06/2024 15:15

I regularly commute by train, yanbu. Hot food should not be allowed, it’s inconsiderate. Mind you I have come across people eating cheese and onion crisps on the train at 8am and the smell from that was pretty grim too 🤢

Do they smell different at 8am to 8pm?

mondaytosunday · 08/06/2024 08:21

It would only bother me as it would make me hungry.
I've been on a few long train journeys recently (five hours or so) and we've had sandwiches and crisps to eat. Actually not many people ate much, we did have a table which helped! I don't recall anyone having hot food.

MissingMoominMamma · 08/06/2024 08:17

I love your username @likepebblesonabeach .

I became so overwhelmed on a long train journey recently, that I upgraded to get away from the smells and eating noises. I couldn’t really afford it, but it was that or get off the train.

yumyumyumy · 08/06/2024 08:17

TheBloatedMiddle · 08/06/2024 07:58

Oh this thread was not what I expected. Hot food - hmm not good. But years ago i commuted to London from Portsmouth harbour daily. Once i saw a couple who did the same commute unpack an entire picnic of baguette, pate, fruit and red wine and followed their lead from that day on.

I can't imagine any of that was particularly smelly food though.