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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think there’s no legitimate reason why men need their hoods up on a train.

60 replies

outofofficeon · 11/11/2025 17:41

Disclaimer- I’m old and from the country and yes, this is a very silly question, I mean it light heartedly.

But honestly, why WOULD you keep a hood up during daylight and when it’s warm (todays example being on a train) if you had nothing to hide.

I don’t mean a normal tracksuit hood if they’d just been working out, I mean where it’s so pulled forward that the face is obscured. AIBU to think there’s absolutely no legitimate reason why this is necessary. As a woman travelling alone I find it very intimidating.

OP posts:
Original poster
outofofficeon · 11/11/2025 19:13

WhatFlavourIsIt · 11/11/2025 19:05

What about Women?. When I'm not going out for work I use public transport. I generally like to put in my earbuds and put my hood up. It keeps me warm and helps avoid eye contact with the bus crazies.

Not women, I said I find it intimidating when men hide their faces and was wondering why they need to if they have nothing to hide.

I appreciate (thanks to this post!) that there are plenty of reasons.

OP posts:
WhatFlavourIsIt · 11/11/2025 19:05

What about Women?. When I'm not going out for work I use public transport. I generally like to put in my earbuds and put my hood up. It keeps me warm and helps avoid eye contact with the bus crazies.

WonderlandWasAllAHoax · 11/11/2025 19:03

RaininSummer · 11/11/2025 18:53

I do find it pretty antisocial but that seems to the purpose. So many people seem to be anxious all the time and wanting to block out life and other humans but this has the effect of making some other people a bit anxious and worried as it is also the uniform of little thugs.

Why should anyone be obliged to appear social on public transport, though?

UserM6 · 11/11/2025 18:56

Basically it’s the social construct of manners - which sounds painful but actually is positive as in “ think of others”.

My very successful, professional 65 year old DH ( arts/media) has taken to doing this. He thinks it’s just part of the look when he actually looks like a crack addict. He also used to wear stupidly large headphones on a trains. Before he nearly got decapitated leaning over the platform to look, when a fast train came the other way.
I’m in education. I know how not to wear a hoodie.

OmNomShiva · 11/11/2025 18:55

It’s cosy and helps you block out people - hood, headphones and even sunglasses.

This is me on a plane !

RaininSummer · 11/11/2025 18:53

I do find it pretty antisocial but that seems to the purpose. So many people seem to be anxious all the time and wanting to block out life and other humans but this has the effect of making some other people a bit anxious and worried as it is also the uniform of little thugs.

ApathyCentral · 11/11/2025 18:45

I keep mine up on trains. Less of me touches surfaces that others touch that way, and I can block out the world better.

I do t see a problem with them doing it.

JudgeBread · 11/11/2025 18:44

I'm a woman and I do this all the time, is it only men who shouldn't?

I do it because I hate other humans and want to give off the biggest "fuck off" vibes I possibly can, I find pulling my hood down quite effective in minimising people trying to talk to me on public transport.

The caveat being I'll pull it back and talk properly to the ticket inspector.

MorningBliss · 11/11/2025 18:41

I have my hood up on buses and trains as I hate sitting in front of people makes me feel self conscious don’t know why

Bambamhoohoo · 11/11/2025 18:35

I’m 😳😱 that you think someone with their hood up must have “something to hide”??! Like what?

TiggersTheOnlyOne · 11/11/2025 18:34

It bothers me (I’m a train guard) because they mumble and trains are noisy ans I can’t hear them, when their faves aren’t covered I can read lips to know what they need. If not I get grief for targeting them because I ask the same questions over and over but it’s only because I can’t hear and I can’t exactly stick my ear in their face to help me

WonderlandWasAllAHoax · 11/11/2025 18:29

I often sit with my hood up on public transport.

For me, it's sensory - I hate trains and buses (too noisy, they vibrate, they smell) and a hood just provides that little bit of protection and comfort.

pointythings · 11/11/2025 18:28

outofofficeon · 11/11/2025 18:21

God yes, that was weird wasn’t it. Tony Blair trying to get down with the kids.

Show quote history

Was David Cameron, not Tony Blair...

CoolFineDoneWicked · 11/11/2025 18:27

outofofficeon · 11/11/2025 18:21

God yes, that was weird wasn’t it. Tony Blair trying to get down with the kids.

Show quote history

Hug a Hoodie was David Cameron.

Zempy · 11/11/2025 18:26

I’m in my sixties and often leave my hood up. I feel the cold badly!

Greggsit · 11/11/2025 18:24

Remember Queen Elizabeth II? Never seen anywhere without a hat, including indoors. She had no legitimate reason to wear a hat inside. What was she hiding under there?

CrossChecking · 11/11/2025 18:24

I'm a hood up person sometimes. Sometimes I have days where I just don't want to face the world and having my hood up provides a nice little shield between me and it.

Original poster
outofofficeon · 11/11/2025 18:22

I can’t believe I’m in the minority here, I’m so out of touch!!

OP posts:
Original poster
outofofficeon · 11/11/2025 18:21

Sofaflop · 11/11/2025 18:19

Anyone remember "Hug and Hoodie", a thing about youth crime in the early 2000s? Not that long ago, but only thise seen as "thugs" wore them then. Now I wear one most days, as a middleaged mum.

God yes, that was weird wasn’t it. Tony Blair trying to get down with the kids.

OP posts:
Sofaflop · 11/11/2025 18:19

Anyone remember "Hug and Hoodie", a thing about youth crime in the early 2000s? Not that long ago, but only thise seen as "thugs" wore them then. Now I wear one most days, as a middleaged mum.

Umy15r03lcha1 · 11/11/2025 18:16

Same as the men who still wear bum buster trews. Edgy innit. But a bit yesteryear. Sad fucks really.

JohnTheRevelator · 11/11/2025 18:13

I see this all the time on public transport. Not just men though, women as well. I always think why do you need your hood up inside? If it is partly obscuring their face,it makes me think they're up to no good!

SpottyAardvark · 11/11/2025 18:13

I don't think anyone requires a "legitimate" reason or needs to justify wearing their hood up in the slightest, though.

I agree, so I mind my own business.

greencrab · 11/11/2025 18:11

This doesn't concern or worry me at all a lone traveler so perhaps my viewpoint is a bit biased but I don't see why it matters what the reason is. They are more comfortable/think it's more stylish/just habit or whatever they don't owe anyone the right to see their ears and aren't doing anything wrong or anti social

Snorlaxo · 11/11/2025 18:06

My son does it so you don’t hear his music and so he can keep warm and dry.