Work calls on trains

"wash up" is just...the name for a particular kind of meeting, why does it bug people?

Yes they always talk in management speak bollox speak. Someone was on a Teams call on a recent train journey and instead of saying I agree with that she was saying "I am aligned with that".

Question (perhaps a more general one, not just for this thread but is there a reason people can't use normal words in a workplace? I know there is necessarily some industry-related jargon but it's entirely possible to say "yes I agree with that".

I know - there was even someone on a thread like this, not sure if it’s this thread, arguing that she should be allowed to sit in the quiet carriage if she wanted to make a phone call without being disturbed by other people playing music etc.

I think it’s one thing for local trains but when a train takes over 3 hours to get from the first to last stop, these rules ought to be enforced. Book a seat, decide on booking. If you’re going to be quiet - Coach 1-4. If you’re going to make any form of noise involving electronic devices or you have children under 10 - Coach 5-8.

I couldn't work on a train, my work is confidential and we're not allowed to use public WIFI. It's an excellent opportunity for me to snooze with a meditation. I don't care what anyone else does, I can't hear them.

On a train, woman in front of me, with laptop open, phone in hand, was instructing someone to fire an employee and she even mentioned their name. She seemed not to care where she was or what she was doing and I could identify who she worked for, the office and even her role, from the conversation. As I left the train, I casually said to her ' I know the person you just fired!' and her face hit the deck. I didn't know the individual, but hope my comment changed her behaviour in the future. Beware if you use your laptop, as the amount of information I have seen on trains is verging on insider trading at times. As for the calls, I do not care what you are cooking for tea, what you did or do during the day, use a messaging app!

In reverse this is what quiet carriages are - one place where theoretically you can doze, read etc without disturbance. Unfortunately the sort of people who like to make loud phone calls seem to be drawn to them because they don't like their vital and urgent conversations to be disturbed by toddlers, Lola telling Mariam why Hattie's a bitch and tick tock videos about football.

🙄

Not really bothered. I know DB does quite a bit of work while he's on the train but don't think it's usually work calls, more responding to emails, setting up meetings by email and writing up reports.

😅🤣

I took a photo of an email on the screen of a guys computer once when I was on the train as it had a big red CONFIDENTIAL watermark across it. I could read everything. It was about a court case. How stupid can some people be. I googled him and the people involved. I obviously didn't do anything with the information but I was tempted to email him and let him know that if I was one of his clients I'd be extremely pissed off. Changes are his charge out rate would be over £500 an hour

Slightly amusing story I've just remembered....
When my daughter was about 4 we were on a packed train. I was reading her a book (Horrid Henry I think) out loud.
We hadn't got to the end when we got to the stop. As we got up to leave there were a few folks disappointed - they'd all been listening and wanted to know how the story finished 😂😂

I think people forget how loud they speak on phone calls when they are on the train. I think it's obnoxious and rude to have more than a quick quiet call on the phone. It's also obnoxious to watch media or listen to music without headphones.

I've travelled in countries like Japan and S Korea where no one makes noise on the train and it's amazing. It's so pleasant.

People also speak like knobs on the phone when they are on the train sometimes. It's like they know they have an audience.

Agree. The entitlement of these people who think they’re SO important that everyone needs to hear their private business.

The concept of privacy and respect for anyone else really has been lost.

I don’t know. If I’m on a train and having to listen to someone boring me with a noisy load of potentially sensitive information, I could easily get irritated enough to do a bit of revenge googling & then drop them in it.

I think the idea of special carriages on the train for people who are going to make phone calls, along with people who want to play music, is making more and more sense. Families with toddlers could be in there too, & then everyone can make whatever noise they need to without worrying about disturbing each other.

And the rest of the train would be the quiet peaceful part for people who just want to read, doze, chat quietly to the person next to them or use their headphones.

I know it would never be enforceable but it’s a great idea IMO.

COVID neighbours (knowing nod). 🕵

I've worked in a regional role that meant lots of train travel. No choice but to work and take calls on the train. Just wasn't an option. And given the choice of taking calls on the three hour journey home or when I got home and needed some rest I'd deffo use the train time.

there

I think that’s more understandable than what my experience is, of people using their morning commute to go on work calls.

But it’s still an intrusion on people and I wonder if you have really been honest with yourself about how much of that could be done by email or after you get to your destination.

Once I'm on a site, I'm talking to the people that work their/doing an inspection, so no time for calls. I much prefer email so if I can do that I will, but sometimes a phone conversation is needed as an email back and forth would take too long.
If I waited til I got home, I'd be working very late and then the people I need may be gone home for the day. There's really no way around it.

When did this become a thing? People holding a phone like a sodding kazoo! Why???