Mobile phones used on buses

[mustgetoffmn]

I’ve just lost it. I boarded a bus which was empty upstairs I had a lot of shopping and took the front seat it was a 50 minute journey. A woman got on and took the other free front seat took her phone out lodged it in between her ear and shoulder and settled into a chat. She was speaking continuously. I thought annoying but hopefully she would get off soon or end the call. She didn’t. After half an hour I decided to play some music without phones to drown her out . Passive aggressive but I was pretty wound up by then. She paused and asked me to turn the music off. I replied that her call was antisocial in a public place. It turned into a big row with a man behind calling me a Karen (of course) and telling me she had the right and I should have just moved. In the end I just moved downstairs. He was pretty nasty possibly drunk. Am I being unreasonable and should have just moved? I’m on public transport a lot and the antisocial behaviour is getting to me.

Ironically enough, I think it's you who should have read my post before commenting. Go on, and perhaps read it properly this time.....

Yes I do know this I live in a fairly troubled area . I don’t have rose tinted glasses I actually work in a public advice position dealing with a lot of diverse people. That doesn’t mean I should put up with antisocial behaviour. Anywhere.

Indeed.

Its laughable the OP thinks she didn’t play music when literally that’s the whole point of her post

But people had to put up with you playing music?

Honestly whatever happened to two wrongs don’t make a right?

Not that having a chat on a bus is wrong

And don’t use patronising language!!!

You’re literally talking to yourself there OP

READ THE POST !!!!!!!!I turned music on to alert the phone user. It was for about 3 minutes if that. To get a response. It worked and was as expected not nice. Or polite. Or apologetic.

YANBU. I don’t mind if the call is not on speakerphone and not stupidly loud but music or calls on speaker are bloody selfish. That’s what headphones/airpods etc are for. I’ve noticed when I visit family in Germany ive not heard this. DB thought he had his earbuds in properly but they obviously weren’t plugged all the way in to the phone. A much younger guy told him very politely and my DB sorted it out. It just feels so entitled to subject the whole bus to your call/music .

Rigjt so you were playing music. I thought it was for 5 minutes?

Sounds like you were trying to give her a taste of her own medicine

I think you were quite brave OP

"Yeah, I'd find it annoying but I'd just put my headphones in or move away if it was really bothering me."

"Why assume everyone has headphones? Why should people be forced to use them due to the increasing antisocial behaviour?"

I am not assuming you have headphones, or saying that you personally should have moved away. I was expressing my opinion that I'd also find it annoying and then what I'd do in response to the situation.

The funny thing is the OP actually does have headphones 😂

What's the difference between chatting on a phone and talking to another person on the bus? It's a public space. If you want peace and quiet then don't take it. Sure it's annoying to be privy to another conversation but then, as suggested, put your headphones on and ignore it.

On a bus the level of volume someone talks at on a phone is generally much much LOUDER than two people sat together chatting.
It really is.

What does living in a “fairly troubled area” have to do with it? Why do you think that means people on the whole aren’t reasonable?

And the thing is, you did “put up” with what you perceive to be antisocial behaviour, because you were incapable of using your words.

@MinnieBalloon I thought you might say that.

Sometimes people like the attention I think… I used AirPods, full blast as I’m a bit deaf, guarantee there’s always someone who gets on who talks so loud I can hear the whole convo over my music. Or those who put the call on loudspeaker..
it’s just pure selfishness.

Some very patronising and hostile responses on here.

What does living in a “fairly troubled area” have to do with it? Why do you think that means people on the whole aren’t reasonable?

Does my way. Lots of are inconsiderate, entitled , sweary twats. The bus journey from mine into the city centre can be like the 10th circle of hell. Multiple people annoying games, music, videos full blast; loud calls on speakerphone, people getting pissed off because window has been opened or closed. Twats pressing the bell 20 times, smoking weed upstairs. I get a bus to a town in another, more upmarket area and these behaviours are minimal.

I think you were both unreasonable. Not really worth starting an argument with a stranger.

I was in the quiet carriage of a train twice yesterday. The first time someone was watching video clips with the sound on. If I could have got to them, I would have said something as it was so annoying. The second time there was still some of this plus someone talking very loudly and crossly into a phone for ages. Given that it was the quiet coach it was really annoying.

I can't remember the last time there wasn't someone watching clips on their mobile without headphones on the bus. I use the bus 5 days a week to get to and from work. I don't usually mind people speaking into a phone, but volume makes a big difference there.