Why is this woman moved to sit opposite me on the train

[EvilRingahBitch]

Am on train with DS who is an adult sized long-legged teen.

DS and I got on at station 1. No double seats available so we took the two aisle seats on a table, sitting next to a young couple who were deliberately sitting opposite each other in order to hog the table (slightly bad form).

On the table on the other side were another couple also deploying strategic use of bags and placement to hog the table.

At station 2 the couple got off leaving DS and I in command of the table. However lots of other people were getting on, so I decided to do the right thing and get DS to come and sit next to me, facing forward.

A newcomer joined us, facing backwards.

Couple on other table also made room for a newcomer, facing backwards - a lone middle aged woman.

At station 3 our newcomer left and so did the couple on the other side, leaving us in command of our table and the lone woman in command of the opposite table.

WHEREUPON SHE MOVED OVER TO OUR TABLE! Leaving other table empty, which it has remained ever since. Sitting in the aisle seat opposite DS so they have to battle it out for legroom.

I don't mind, I'm not aggrieved, I don't think she's a CF. But for the love of God why would you do this? Why would you leave an empty table to share one with us?

It's a quiet well-behaved carriage so she's not seeking safety in numbers from Millwall fans.

She's moved from one rear facing seat to another.

She has not shown any desire whatsoever to chat.

I personally think DS is the most beautiful young man in the world but she could equally well have gazed at him from her original seat.

May I throw it open to the MN hive mind? Why would anyone do such a thing?

I don't mind, I'm not aggrieved

Oh, you totally are.

I suspect she moved to sit next to you to leave the other table free, exactly as you've criticised someone else for not doing. I'm guessing she regretted it way more than you did.

Sitting opposite when there are two of you is much better. If another couple join the table, they too can sit opposite each other.

You wouldn’t sit side by side at a table in a restaurant, so why would you do it on a train?

I can get how it could feel a bit disconcerting that she joined your table seeing as she already had a seat of her own.

She will have moved for a reason, but you will never know what it was.

My best guesses would be that she uses the route regularly and groups of people often get on at a certain stop ( people on their way to the next town for a night out or stag/ hen parties ) and she didn’t want to get stuck at a table with them.

Or she had sun in her eyes.
Or she has a stalker that watches her from a certain location when the train passes. So she doesn’t want to be seen from the window.

deliberately sitting opposite each other in order to hog the table (slightly bad form).
It’s definitely better to sit opposite!
You can:
See each other while you chat.
Stretch your legs out.
Share half the table more easily.
Propel your germy air on each other rather than a stranger.

I would say opposite, your more likely to breath on the person opposite then the person at the side of you?

I used to be an aeroplane "empty back few rows" ninja, deserting the rest of my family (pre Covid).

Have you DOUBLE checked that those seats aren't reserved? Otherwise just ask whether there is anything wrong with the seats across the aisle as you would prefer more space.

That should have been in reply to the person saying with covid it’s better to sit opposite strangers.

If you’re on those really big six seater areas then it might be better to sit side by side? But a four seater table I would definitely vote opposite is best.

TL:DR
Have you thought of travelling by private jet next time?
Or getting a hobby?

Maybe she's concerned that at the next stop, three weirdos will get on and trap her by the window. She's checked you out and thinks you're a safer bet. It's a sort of compliment.

Who put you in charge of train seat form OP?

Also on a train, quite often we will watch a tv show together (with headphones obviously) on one device. So then it's best to sit together.

I suppose friends would more sit opposite to chat, partners probably chat less on a train as together more of the time.

Phew! I’m glad that I’m doing the right thing in regards to train table etiquette after all! After reading the OP I started to doubt myself!

She could have left it for a bigger group to sit there, I think it was a good idea

I thought opposite was better than sitting next to each other.

My own reasons to move would be direct sunlight, too hot & glary or near passenger with strong perfume, makes me nauseous.

Could be she moved to be away from the eye-line of someone who was making her feel uncomfortable.

You need to be more vocal, OP. Next time you board a train make sure you take a few minutes to stand in the aisle and shout out your random train rules clearly before sitting. That way nobody will come and sit anywhere near you. Ever.

I think I've now worked out why I'm clearly Wrong about train etiquette - it's because all the many many times I've travelled by train in the last twenty years I've been
A) alone or
B) in a family of four or
C) alone with a child - and I guess most people would agree it's better to be next to them rather than opposite.

I haven't actually travelled in a couple with an adult this century and that's why my shibboleths are up the spout.

Every day's a school day. Thanks all.

@Whenigrowupiwanttobea

Perhaps she just felt safer sitting with someone as opposed to being completely on her own.

This.

Could be someone in her view but out of your view doing something creepy and she felt safer with you.

It's weird that she'd move at the moment though. I'm avoiding being near people on trains while Covid's still around. So even if the sun was in my eyes, I wouldn't move closer to people. And I certainly wouldn't take any extra risk just to free up the table in case a group got on.

I am astonished that you think sitting opposite on the train table is hogging the table or bad form I think quite the opposite. If you sit next to your fellow passenger you are more likely to be hogging the table bracket the long middle is more difficult to define and to stick to than the short divide additionally you are forcing strangers to share like space with you that’s really bad form.
As For why the woman Moved I agree it could’ve been to do with son in her eyes or she thought I know I’ll leave this full table for a group Or there could’ve been some creep staring at her and she wanted to get out of his Iline et cetera et cetera

Haha that is really strange OP. I was once in an almost empty free-sitting cinema with a friend and some women came and sat next to us. Why???

You sat beside your son because he is a long legged person who you had to battle for leg space. Now you are annoyed she is taking up the extra leg space you tried to give him. YABU.

There’s a lot of people here who’ve had a sense of humour by-pass on what is clearly a light-hearted thread.