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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Woman on train

261 replies

holidaysareoverated · 12/08/2015 20:57

DH and I took our toddler on the train today. The train wasn't super busy but there were no free seats so we walked to the next carriage. A woman and her teenage daughter were sitting at a table for four. So we approached and asked them to move over so that we could sit in the two free seats.
The woman started sighing and eye rolling at her daughter as though we were being complete pains in the arse. I told her that she was rude and entitled and asked if she expected the train to herself. Her daughter then started saying " she only sighed, she is allowed to sigh". The woman herself remained silent and then said exasperatedly "there's so much space!", which there was in the aisles. There were no other free seats at all.
AIBU to have fantasised about spilling my coffee all over them? I can't believe she thought a pregnant woman with a toddler should stand up so that she and her daughter could have a table for four to themselves!

OP posts:

ToadsJustFellFromTheSky · 12/08/2015 22:02

If I'm not allowed to sit next to you, can I at least sit on your lap? .

KinkyAfro · 12/08/2015 22:02

Oooo she's well 'ard that Emma

ilovesooty · 12/08/2015 22:03

Emma never explained how she'd actually prevent someone from sitting on a vacant seat. She's just full of hot air.

balletgirlmum · 12/08/2015 22:03

And what if the disability was you know "invisible". Would Emma demand a medical history.

Beholdtheflorist · 12/08/2015 22:03

Nobody wants to sit next to a complete stranger on a packed train but it's absolutely unreasonable to expect anything else.

In fact, even if I'm happy standing I make a point to sit next to someone who is bag stealing a second seat. Unless their bag has a ticket then it's a passive agressive way of getting personal space which they're not entitled to.

It particularly boils my piss when people won't give up their seats for pregnant, older or disabled people.

Although I once really insult a skinny woman in a big coat...

Pseudonym99 · 12/08/2015 22:04

People hogging seats are the ones that are rude. Especially if they put luggage on them. If the carriage is filling up, you leave seats that are free luggage free and available.

MissEeerie · 12/08/2015 22:05

I have a long train journey tomorrow and I'm really hoping Emma is on it. If there is a spare seat next to her, I WILL be taking it.

TheFatHobbit · 12/08/2015 22:06

I would pay good money to see Emma cope with NY rush hour.

I have many a time squeezed past people in the aisle seat, nobody has time for that shit.

MiscellaneousAssortment · 12/08/2015 22:07

Emma must have been at the tourist attraction I went to yesterday, lots of people who made it clear people 'like me' shouldn't be allowed in as I take up too much room, needing wheels not legs.

It's people like you who make it impossible to travel on my own, as people get really angry at being moved out of the wheelchair spot or from the priority seating. Quite often I've had people get angry with me when they kick my stick out from under me too.

Honestly you'd feel at home with yesterday's people, if you weren't actually one of them.

fairnotfit · 12/08/2015 22:08

Don't worry, MissEeerie - Emma has holiday club tomorrow so she won't be travelling. She does, however, have a potentially contentious bout of Musical Chairs with her pre-teen pals. Could get ugly.

RonaldosAbs · 12/08/2015 22:08

Emma

So how exactly would you stop them sitting next to you? Physically threaten them? You sound ridiculous.

Precious cunts like you just absolutely make me seethe, take taxis or drive, don't inconvenience other people with your shit.

I'm really genuinely curious as to how you would stop someone?

MissEeerie · 12/08/2015 22:10

fairnotfit

Original poster

holidaysareoverated · 12/08/2015 22:10

Wow my thread has really taken off!
I'm wondering where all these train conductors are though. They don't have them on my rail line. It's not long distance though so maybe that's why.

OP posts:

EddieStobbart · 12/08/2015 22:10

Not big on the word "entitled" being bandied about in a verbal exchange but based on the situation you describe YANBU.

Bemused by Emma's expectation that that a random stranger on a busy train would give a toss about what she wanted and put that above their own comfort. If someone wants to sit in the seat beside me, unless I have bought and reserved a extra seat or all the other passengers have fallen at my feet and declared me Queen of the Train, then it wouldn't occur to me to think anyone gave a flying fuck as to whether I actually want them there (smelly or not).

spiderlight · 12/08/2015 22:14

My guess is that she cultivates a really good dose of eye-watering BO.

Icimoi · 12/08/2015 22:16

Anyway, I've told you all what I think, you can all believe what you like of course but, if you got on the same train as me and i didn't want you to sit next to me then believe me, you damn well wouldn't.

No, I probably wouldn't. Due to the fact that, when you refused to allow me to sit, I would have ensured you were removed from the train. That way whilst I sat down and continued my journey, Emma would have a nice comfy seat all to herself whilst explaining her actions to the railway police.

AlbrechtDurer · 12/08/2015 22:18

Well, there you go, OP. There are some even ruder fuckers around than your table lady. Some of them are even on Mumsnet.

drudgetrudy · 12/08/2015 22:22

Would hate to sit next to Emma but as I'm getting (OMG!) "old" I would be forced to do so as standing for a long journey would be v uncomfortable-and Emma -unless you had paid for a second seat you fucking well would move. I'm afraid on public transport personal space is the space you have paid for.

Peacheykeen · 12/08/2015 22:22

I think Emma has a very dangerous attitude and thinks she's a bit of a gangster.

Mehitabel6 · 12/08/2015 22:24

People do get silly. I can assure you, Emma, that I would be taking an empty seat next to you.
OP was quite right except that she should have totally ignored any rudeness- there was no need to say anything to a bit of eye rolling.

ilovesooty · 12/08/2015 22:26

I'd like Emma to meet that strange poster who argued for days on here about her perceived right to commandeer a whole table in a cafe and expected other people to eat and drink standing up. It could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

drudgetrudy · 12/08/2015 22:26

I think if we read a newspaper article "Woman assaulted on train" there's a chance it will be Emma. OP -you were not at all unreasonable to ask her to move but once seated I would have totally ignored her-calling her entitled was a bit OTT.

Mehitabel6 · 12/08/2015 22:26

I am slightly disappointed that I only meet reasonable people on trains- I am ready to do battles with the 'Emmas of this world'! (And I would win).

maggieryan · 12/08/2015 22:27

I'd probably tut as well (but in my head)

Mehitabel6 · 12/08/2015 22:28

I remember the person who wasn't going to move their bag on a train- or thought they weren't. ( maybe the same person)

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