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:

menopausalmare · 11/11/2025 18:05

Sometimes you just want to be left alone.

Sofaflop · 11/11/2025 18:05

They're all wearing expensive headphones, and this gives them some protection against being mugged for them.

MargaretThursday · 11/11/2025 17:59

MaudlinGazebo · 11/11/2025 17:46

DS14 does this. It’s just sensory for him, he likes being snuggled in and hiding at bit. He’s perfectly NT, he just likes it.

Ds is similar.

He uses his hoodie pulled down over his eyes and zipped up to his nose as a protective barrier when he is anxious with lots of people around him.
I have pointed out to him that he does look like a little thug when he does it, so if he is challenged, to pull the hood down and explain.

gannett · 11/11/2025 17:56

Today was not especially warm. It was very windy in London and I put my hood up when I went to the shops.

On a train it's more comfortable if you want to lean your head against the window and snooze.

Sometimes you're just hungover or tired.

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

scalt · 11/11/2025 17:52

Remember when Bluewater shopping centre famously banned hoodies? And they do it so they’ll be talked about on mumsnet. As Oscar Wilde said, there’s only one thing worse than being talked about, and that’s not being talked about.

Newrumpus · 11/11/2025 17:48

Fabric hoods provide comforting sensory feedback which can reduce anxiety. Hoods and balaclavas are quite different.

gingercat02 · 11/11/2025 17:48

Fashion innit!

MaudlinGazebo · 11/11/2025 17:46

DS14 does this. It’s just sensory for him, he likes being snuggled in and hiding at bit. He’s perfectly NT, he just likes it.

DwarfBeans · 11/11/2025 17:45

Young men in our city centre often walk around with full face balaclavas and hoods up. I think they’re trying to avoid facial recognition cameras. But as a woman walking alone I find it unnerving.

Sillysoggyspaniel · 11/11/2025 17:43

I do this. I get cold easily, my hair frizzes in the rain and sometimes I'm hungover.

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