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Original poster

Why do solo train users take a table for 4?

279 replies

Badbadbunny · 07/05/2026 10:04

Why do solo train users take a table for 4 and then huff and puff when a couple or family join them? Just on a train with lots of empty twosome seats but only one table for 4 free and a single woman takes it, and made a big fuss about moving her bags off the seat and clearing the rest of the table after she put loads of stuff on it when a family of 4 came on with one of them having to sit elsewhere.

OP posts:
liveforsummer · 07/05/2026 16:01

I once had a lady come sit at our table (me and 2 dc around 3 and 6. They are well travelled and well behaved but chatty. She had plonked herself at the window seat so had to negotiate. She sighed every time they spoke and complained dd 6 sitting opposite her was moving her legs every now and then and touching her . Insisted I moved her, so swapped her with dd3 then she complained dd6 touched her occasionally when she moved and that dd3 was looking at her . There were multiple empty double seats. I’d booked the table with the 2 window seats but annoyingly the bookings were faulty so it was a free for all as it wasn’t even her booked seat!

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 16:00

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 07/05/2026 15:22

They certainly are not

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They certainly are for me and my lap top!

MyMilchick · 07/05/2026 15:50

Badbadbunny · 07/05/2026 15:03

Nail on the head. Exactly what my post is all about.

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Your title says different, also you point out that there are loads of two seaters free which would imply you think that's where she should be sitting, in fact you specifically point out one of the foursome had to sit elsewhere, again implying you think the woman shouldn't be sitting there (even just taking up the one seat)

ParmaVioletTea · 07/05/2026 15:49

“That met your requirements “ - not just anywhere and your requirements are as legitimate as a family’s although @Badbadbunny doesn’t seem to think so.

allthingsinmoderation · 07/05/2026 15:42

Ive jsut booked a solo train journey and on booking it asked questions like do you want to be near luggage rack,toilets .plus,table,direction facing. I answered as i preferred and it allocated me a specific seat number,its a table for 4.
I wouldnt dream of putting my bags on seats or if i did not moving them for other travellers.
I need to work so would prefer at table and prefer forward facing travel due to feelings of nausea when travelling backwards.
I would move for a family of 4 to sit together if i could sit somewhere that met my requirements though.

ParmaVioletTea · 07/05/2026 15:38

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 07/05/2026 15:22

They certainly are not

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Agreed. Even the ones that extend are not easy to use.

if I know I have laptop work to do I try to book a table seat, but the risk always is that a careless child (or adult, but IME it’s always been a child) will spill juice on or near my laptop. It’s happened several times, but luckily I’ve been able to whisk my computer out of the way.

Parents seem particularly casual about the behaviour of their DC on trains generally though. Hence probably the “huffing”. Family groups have a way of unpleasantly dominating the limited space - I can see why if they share the attitude of the OP. Apparently lone travellers should not be there or have any rights.

ParmaVioletTea · 07/05/2026 15:32

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 07/05/2026 15:23

Never seen an extender ever

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Some long distance GWR trains have them.

Hecatee · 07/05/2026 15:27

Please define "made a big fuss".

Callmeback · 07/05/2026 15:23

Hesma · 07/05/2026 15:18

Because they have as much right to a table as you and your entitled crotch goblins

I agree about the equal rights but that term and tone is really unpleasant.

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 07/05/2026 15:23

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 15:13

You can pull out the extender

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Never seen an extender ever

ScotiaLass · 07/05/2026 15:22

I sit at a table as a single traveller because I commute regularly for work and I use the time to catch up on emails. I don't put my bag on the seats or take up more than quarter of the table though. I have no objections to other people sitting at the table, and if there is another suitable seat elsewhere I might move to let a family sit together but not if they're acting like they're entitled to a table!

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 07/05/2026 15:22

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 15:07

The flip down tables are perfectly adequate for lap top use

They certainly are not

Hesma · 07/05/2026 15:18

Because they have as much right to a table as you and your entitled crotch goblins

Callmeback · 07/05/2026 15:15

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 15:13

You can pull out the extender

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I've never been on a train with an tray extender so must only be in some regions.

Hellometime · 07/05/2026 15:14

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 15:13

You can pull out the extender

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There’s no extender on trains I use they are just a flip down. Work laptop is clunky and big.

outdooryone · 07/05/2026 15:14

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 15:13

You can pull out the extender

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Depends on which train you are on - some do not have extenders, some seats are very close together and upright.

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 15:13

Callmeback · 07/05/2026 15:12

They're not. They trays are too close to your body to type easily. My laptop is larger than the tray.

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You can pull out the extender

Callmeback · 07/05/2026 15:12

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 15:07

The flip down tables are perfectly adequate for lap top use

They're not. They trays are too close to your body to type easily. My laptop is larger than the tray.

Flamingojune · 07/05/2026 15:07

The flip down tables are perfectly adequate for lap top use

GimmieABreakOr3 · 07/05/2026 15:03

It’s a free country.

Original poster
Badbadbunny · 07/05/2026 15:03

Emmz1510 · 07/05/2026 14:59

The issue here isn’t a single person taking a seat with a table- I do it myself, especially if I’m working. The issue is the rudeness and entitlement when other people sat down.

Nail on the head. Exactly what my post is all about.

OP posts:
Emmz1510 · 07/05/2026 14:59

The issue here isn’t a single person taking a seat with a table- I do it myself, especially if I’m working. The issue is the rudeness and entitlement when other people sat down.

outdooryone · 07/05/2026 14:57

Where I can I book a table seat. Most of my work travel is a train and I have more room for laptop. They have a window guaranteed. Feels less enclosed.
I never huff and puff or spread to the seat next to me.

For me the issue is with the spreading and huffiness, not a solo traveller having any seat.

chickenandapples · 07/05/2026 14:54

I kinda feel like you should have learned to drive before having kids. I like to have the space to work and use my laptop.

Dontcallmescarface · 07/05/2026 14:54

Melonjuice · 07/05/2026 14:48

You don't book seats on normal trains , You were going on for a few stops . How ridiculous, here in London trains are like buses. You just hop on and hop off

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We always reserve seats when booking our train journey.