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?

@EvilRingahBitch

I think I think that sitting opposite each other is poor form on a half full train because it gives off clear "fuck off and don't sit at our table" vibes. Especially when combined with deployment of rucksacks of course.

But I will defer to the majority opinion.

It doesn’t give that message any more than sitting beside each other and putting bags in table. I think you are unusual in thinking git is normal to sit beside rather than opposite the person you are with.

Ha, was time, I did this today on a train because the sun was blinding me

She wants to give you Covid.

My mum when she was about 18 got on a bus with one other person on it who she thought she knew so she sat next to her. Then she realised it wasn’t the person she thought it was, but was too embarrassed to move. The two of them sat in silence with no-one else on the bus for the entire half hour journey 😂

She moved because she had enough time to observe you both and you don’t seem crazy. She took control of who she would have for seat mates. No telling who will get on next.

Strategic placement of bags is only rude if you refuse to move when people ask, or if you feign ignorance and don’t move them when the train starts to fill up.

I would have moved to the other table. If she followed me there I’d move back. We could keep the musical tables going and see who gave up first.

@WaddesdonWanderer

My mum when she was about 18 got on a bus with one other person on it who she thought she knew so she sat next to her. Then she realised it wasn’t the person she thought it was, but was too embarrassed to move. The two of them sat in silence with no-one else on the bus for the entire half hour journey 😂

😂

I was once on a near empty bus, with a lovely big yucca I’d just bought on the seat next to me. Old woman gets on, asks me to move the plant, and plonks her fat arse down next to me, squishing me and the large spiky yucca against the window.

I was a timid student then, and said nothing. I can’t guarantee that my chewing gum didn’t end up similarly squished on her handbag though.

I have no idea!

However, I don't think sitting opposite the person you are with is bad form- it's perfectly norma and leaves two seats opposite each other for another couple.

Never tolerate those with bags taking up space, tell your bag paid for a seat?
Of course it didn’t

Was the sun on her side? I often move on buses and trains because I get too hot in the sun.

you need to reach over them (or VV) to get to the charger.

Surely no-one actually does that?

You either ask them to plug/unplug your thing for you or you accept that the socket is for the seat next to it unless it's in the middle of the seats?

How empty was the train?
If it was crowded and she moved presumably to make space for a group - fair enough.
If not it was very rude - I’d have asked her directly why she moved 😂 makes no sense

@SickAndTiredAgain

I don’t think it’s bad form to sit opposite to the person you’re travelling with at a table, it’s fine. I’d rather sit next to a stranger than opposite them.

Exactly and I'd rather have eye contact with the person I was talking to, instead of talking to them and facing someone else.

The whole original message is weird with the talk of "commanding tables"

I'd actually love this to be the most important issue in my life right now, so much so I felt the need to post on mn!

I would feel safer sitting in front of a mother and son/daughter combo at a table seat than by myself at a table where three men could get on and block me in. Even if they didn't do or say anything I would still feel uncomfortable.

I used to commute on a quiet line. People come and sit next to you on half empty carriages all the time and get you to move your bloody bag and get all squished up with your stuff in the window seat. Which is fine. But then seem pissed off when you get up to sit alone elsewhere.
People are just weird.

Is the same psychology as being the only person in a shop and then someone else coming in and wanting to browse exactly where you are?

And also parking right up next to your door so you have to contort to get back in the car in an otherwise empty car park.

And on the beach! It always happens there.

This would annoy me too op. I'd likely not move but silently be irritated.

@Larryyourwaiter

I used to commute on a quiet line. People come and sit next to you on half empty carriages all the time and get you to move your bloody bag and get all squished up with your stuff in the window seat. Which is fine. But then seem pissed off when you get up to sit alone elsewhere. People are just weird.

I’m pretty sure this is some sort of phenomenon and has been studied. It was found that people tend to cluster together on empty carriages and buses.

I agree, people are weird!

Christ. You might think your ds is the most beautiful boy in the world but you’ve clearly not got a lot to say to each other if all you can do is keep tabs on other fare paying passengers’ movements on - gasp - public transport. Think about driving next time.

I definitely would guess it's for safety reasons (she could end up with a creep coming and sitting at the table with her) or to leave the table free for a whole group to sit together.

Either way, the seat was free. People can sit where they like.

I've been on trains where a lone woman or once an elderly Muslim man was sat alone at a table and ended up having a bunch of yobs already drunk with more alcohol in hand deliberately went and sat next to these lone people to harrass and target them. It was horrible. You have no idea what this woman could have previously experienced or witnessed.

@DragonDoor really?
I’ve been on on plenty of public transport and people have always moved away from each other.
‘Clustering’ yes as In taking seats behind/across the aisle but I’ve never seen anyone deliberately sit next to someone else if plenty of empty seats were available.

You and your leggy son could’ve moved to the empty table that she left. Then you wouldn’t have had to start this thread.

@OuiOuiBonjour exactly

It’s not healthy to record the comings and goings of train passengers like this. Like it really sounds like you have no life.

Maybe she moved because there was rubbish near her, someone smelly behind her, lack of functional plug sockets etc. who cares