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’m with you OP, that would have annoyed me but I’d never have let on.

Who knows why she did it, she must have had her reasons. I think maybe she was hoping someone would strike up a chat with her. Some people are very lonely sadly.

Just take heart from the fact that you and DS are the kind of people want to be near.

I'm really baffled as to why you think sitting opposite the person you are travelling with is wrong,I'd much rather be looking at my DH or whoever I'm with than a complete stranger. Also it's much easier to mentally divide a table if you are opposite your companion, and no awkward leg touching with a stranger if you are both shifting your legs at the same time.

[quote TractorAndHeadphones]@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.[/quote]
Yeah, sitting near each other is what I meant, not right beside each other.

@EvilRingahBitch

I'm obviously working on different assumptions to everyone else on seat/table etiquette! How odd. I hate sitting next to strangers on the train because there's so little shoulder room and you need to reach over them (or VV) to get to the charger.

Am I alone in this then?

I think so! I would rather inadvertently rub fully clothed shoulders with a stranger than do the footsie dance under the table. Still, each to their own

I'd be a bit annoyed, too. It seems an odd thing to do, under the circumstances. If a group of four had come along, she could have volunteered to move, at that point, but there's no need to invade someone else's space unnecessarily.

People are strange.

Well yes obviously I was bored and had nothing better to do than start random MN threads. That's kind of inherent in the situation. I genuinely wasn't annoyed - just slightly baffled and the book I had with me was a bit dull.

And I can't believe that I even have to say that eliminating the possibility that she was mesmerised by my son's good looks was a joke. Seriously, people?

And quite a good little aside I thought too !

Perhaps she could listen in to your conversation more easily if she was on the same table?

Sounds like you were in such a strong opinion about table space being used to full capacity that The Universe was just responding to your wishes.

It does seem unusual behaviour. But then look at all those making digs at you on here-plenty of odd people around!

I always sit opposite my husband so we can talk easily. I dunno why she switched that's weird. I would have just moved to the other table tho

She lives on your side of the train and wants to see her house out the window.