Bus Seat Etiquette

[PennyGold]

Hi,
Nothing major! I know. However, I was on the bus today and there were many empty seats (both seats) and I was seated near-ish the back, and someone got on and sat next to me?!
They didn't speak, or initiate any conversation (so it wasn't as if they wanted a chat) why would they do this?!
The journey is 45m so I seriously debated asking them to let me past so I could select another seat but I felt mega awkward?! Is that rude??
I don't usually get this bus, but will be getting it from next week at around the same time so may see them again?!

that's unusual
perhaps they weren't british

That is just weird. I'd be really uncomfortable too but like yourself be reluctant to get up for fear of creating a scene. Was it a man or woman?

Maybe they wanted an isle seat and decided they didn't want the disapproving looks you get from people when you take the isle seat and leave the window seat free (I used to do this on the train so I could jump off quickly and the looks I'd get from people who obviously wanted to sit there but didn't have the nerve to ask if they could get in!).

I had this happen on an empty tube train. It was early hours and I was falling asleep, but still thought it very odd to sit right next to me. I didn't realise till I'd got off that they'd stolen my purse!!! Even if that wasnt the motive in your case, its a very odd thing to do with other spares seats around

It's the weirdo that should feel awkward, not you. No way would I sit uncomfortably for 45mins in that situation. Next time woman-up and just move. Always trust and act on your instincts.

@FannyAnne64
It was a man.. and I instantly got worried but he barely batted an eyelid at me?! So I don't think it was some intimidation thing?

@Pilot12
Maybe, but it's apparently a quiet 'route' so it wasn't as if it got busy (otherwise I'd get it).

@Elouera
Oh gosh, how awful?! No, definitely wasn't robbed but it could have been his aim? Who knows.

@KenzoBaby
I know! In hindsight I should have, and would tell friends your advice, but I didn't want to have to walk past him (incase he just swivelled his legs of you get me).

If it happens in the future I'll say something just before he sits down, and move.. i was just caught in surprise. I'm always worried about being rude! ahahah sounds insane, I know.

Yes, keep a bag on the seat next to you and perfect a Death Stare for any future weirdos who ask you to move it to sit down when there are other seats available.

They're the same people who park next to your car in an otherwise empty car park or sit near you in an empty cinema.

I have a theory that they're also the type who doesn't like their own company so haven't ever been alone meaning they subconsciously would rather be next to a stranger than be on their own.

That said if it was a man who sat next to me and I was alone, I'd feel very uncomfortable and nervous enough to move to the front if the bus. (Or move the car, change cinema seats etc.) Might be perfectly innocent but men should know not to do that to a woman her own.

And never worry about offending someone or being 'rude' if you feel nervous or uncomfortable.

Some of the young people I know with Autistic Spectrum Condition would do this in a heartbeat as it is their usual seat, or they are just attracted to sitting next to someone who is already there, or for comfort or for many other reasons. Some would also prefer to join a stranger at a table rather than sit on their own in an empty cafe. If you think about it, preferring to sit on your own is actually the stranger choice.

Get up and move! Don’t worry about seeming rude to someone who’s giving no thought to your comfort. They started it!

Maybe they wanted an isle seat

In which case they'd be better off on a boat than a bus.

Very weird behavior. I would feel uncomfortable/ suspicious about it as well.

I would move to another seat at the nearest opportunity and check carefully that they didn’t take any of my belongings.

I’m thinking now it could be some kind of creep who gets a little kick out of making women feel uncomfortable trough this behavior but perhaps I’m thinking too much 🤔

Is the bus usually crowded? Maybe they did it because they like an aisle and didn’t want to get up to let someone on. I have had people do this to me on a commuter train before when that particular train was always very quiet compared to the trains before and afterwards- if you normally took the others they were standing room only but this one always had loads of spare seats. Also, did you have a bag on the seat? Some people have a passive aggressive thing about that. But personally I’d just get up and move, I like my space on a long journey.

I get up and move if they're smelly/fat/chewing gum/ listening to loud music - or anything else I object to, including sitting next to me when there's other available seats.

Forgot to say in my post that I would get up and move if I were you.