What would you have done? Tube and Phone...

[WTCT]

Jumped onto a tube today... spotted the train doors open as I rounded the corner to the platform, so was moving quite swiftly to get on to a relatively empty train.

Happened to bump into someone who was looking at their phone. It wasn’t a hard knock at all, but I did make contact with them.

Their phone fell to the floor. They, after a few seconds (I was turned the other way) tapped me to get my attention to show me their screen was cracked badly.

They didn’t speak English and I was only going one stop.

What would you have done?

You should have offered to pay.. they wouldn't have dropped their phone had it not been for you, and that isn't fair to them.
I'd make sure you walk next time...

What relevance has the number of stops got to do with anything?

I would have apologised

You were responsible. The tubes are every few minutes but you chose to run and risk a collision. (That’s not meant to be judgey - I do that regularly).

But your choice led to his phone getting broken.

I’m not sure what I’d have done though, whether I’d have offered money or not.

Have suffered the Tube all my life

If they want their phone that secure that they can’t drop it, they need to get a thingybob.

Even the nicest, kindest people will accidentally bump into to you.

I’d have given them my email address so we could communicate to discuss what to do. I’d perhaps offer a reasonable amount equivalent to the average excess on an insurance policy for example.

Also, having suffered the Tube all my life, were they trying it on? Phone might have been cracked initially.

What relevance has the number of stops got to do with anything?

I had limited time to act.

Tbh not to sound cynical but how do you know the screen wasn’t cracked before? Particularly if the person waited to show you?

Not goady- just a thought?

X post Rosa!

It's a risk you take if you look at your phone instead of what us going on around you. I would have said sorry but left it there.

It's unfortunate but to be honest I would have done the same. Tube stations are always busy and if you have your phone out there's a risk you're going to get jostled. Yes trains are every few minutes (on most lines), but similarly most people are only underground for a bit, surely you can put your phone somewhere safe or as Rosa has said, attach it somehow.

I’d have apologised, but wouldn’t have offered to pay. You couldn’t even know whether the screen had broken with the fall, maybe it had been like that for weeks and they were trying it on. If someone knocked into me and I dropped and cracked my phone screen, no way would I expect the person who knocked into me to pay for the repair. A certain amount of jostling is to be expected if you’re standing on the tube!

And I cross-posted with the other cynics

I’d have apologised as it was essentially your fault but I wouldn’t have paid, it’s their responsibility not to be staring down at their phone in such a busy and fast moving environment

I would have apologised but left it at that.

I drop my phone constantly. My DCs knock it off the table etc etc. So it's in a protective case with a screen cover. Basic.

You should offer to pay for it but more importantly you should've stopped to apologise for bumping into them... 🙄

but more importantly you should've stopped to apologise for bumping into them... 🙄

Why do you think I didn’t?

I did think apologies were a given, btw, just think paying for the screen is not right.

OP cross post

Don’t beat yourself up

I'd have apologised and moved on.

If you don't want to damage your phone, don't walk around the tube station with it in your hand

Walk away and forget about it. Tube floors aren't that hard to smash a screen. I've dropped my phone from higher heights on harder floors than tube ones without damage. Unless they can prove it wasn't broken before. Besides, it's a hazard of having it out in busy, public areas.

If you walk around holding your phone then that's what happens. I've done it myself. My own fault.

If you had knocked in to someone so hard that they physically moved/fell & dropped their phone/belongings as a result then I would say it was your fault. However a little bump then no as it's expected on public transport He really should have a screen protector plus be holding on to it tighter. I've seen about a number of people fall victim to a thief jumping on & swiping a phone out of theirs hand then jumping off the tube as the doors close.

How do you know it wasn't already broken and it was a scam?

The person on their phone should also have been taking care and if you are holding an expensive and delicate item in a busy area then you need to take care of it, keep it in a protective case and be aware of your surroundings instead of directing your attention to the phone and probably getting in people's way and expecting everyone to make way for you which is difficult in a busy environment.

I'd have apologised for bumping into someone but just shrugged at the sight of a broken phone and got on with my day, especially if there wasn't a common language we could communicate in.