To say something? Small children on quiet coach

[Balacqua]

Family with two toddlers in here.journey just started. I don't want to be an arse, maybe they don't realise- could be tourists, not sure - aibu to say something, nicely?

Personally I don't think it is okay, but equally the family may not know or may not have had any choice about their reserved seat allocation. It is the only place in Standard where it is (or should be) quiet enough to concentrate on work so I do think they should be more robust about not allocating seats to noisy kids.

I complained about this once and was moved to the First Class carriage. (However, they were a particularly obnoxious family, and the train was not full, and the parents swore and drank a lot).

I wouldn't take my toddler into the quiet coach unless there was absolutely nowhere else to sit. If we were in there I'd do what I could to keep him quiet. Talking, reading, games etc and if he were noisy I'd shush him in a way that made it obvious that I realised that we were in the quiet coach.

The quiet coach is for people who want to, and are able to, be quiet.
If passengers wish to make noise, the onus is on them to move out of the quiet coach.

I am sure we have all traveled with toddlers, but it is not appropriate to sit in the quiet coach on these occasions.

Got it now! The other family have the noisy toddlers.

I personally love the sound of children laughing, giggling and being generally excited. It wouldn't bother me. Can you put up with it for a bit and see if they 'burn out their excitement' naturally?

I wouldn't take my toddler into the quiet coach unless she was asleep.

I think it's inconsiderate.

Jeez I don't think you're being unreasonable, if it helps op. Quiet coach should mean just that, unless it's a particularly busy time of day. If you can't use a mobile, are expected the keep all noise down, then toddlers don't tend to conform to these rules. Unfortunately, actually pointing this out in British culture is too awkward to contemplate. Hope your train journey isn't too long....

Gosh, I hate the sound of happy children. They are far too exuberant!

Is the quiet coach effective at weekends?

In my defence elder I was never blessed with my own children so usually love being around other people's. I don't even have to take them home with me

Got to love how arsey people are on here these days! I was sitting in the quiet coach, cause you know I fancied a bit of quiet... Anyway have moved and no didn't say anything

I hate the sound of a children happy or not.

If you can't move (further away or another quiet coach?) I would say something very politely or better yet ask the conductor to do so?

Sorry x posted, didn't see the other replies! Have been moved to first by nice conductor so all good

Oh x post

All children I meant

No need to defend yourself, you're probably just a lot jollier than me!

DDs shrieks of joy even make me wince

Yay! Great result!

First! Excellent outcome OP!

Yay Bala - result!

I didn't see anyone being arsey. We spent page 1 trying to figure out the problem. I certainly didn't know whether you had toddlers who needed a nap and other tourists were being noisy, or you wanted quiet and the toddlers were being noisy.

Anyway, all sorted now I guess.

I wouldn't dream of taking my 3 yo in the quiet coach - because quiet she is not. YWNBU op. The clue is in the name.

I always thought quiet coach meant no music, no phones - not no talking, no children. When traveling for work I always book Coach A on Virgin to avoid the self-important tossers talking work; kids having fun wouldn't bother me.

*Stellaaaaa:

"Plenty of other seats!"

Then go sit in those biscuit*

Not arsey?!

Thanks for all pleasant responses

I am glad the OP got into 1st class - honestly. I think that is a great solution to a problem.

I can't stand the after-meeting business people who get into the quiet coach and think that they'll be quiet AFTER they have phoned all and sundry to say how the meeting went! I have insisted that some of them remove themselves from the carriage intil they can adhere to 'quiet rule'.

See - I am still fairly normal elder