Do people really consider it unreasonable to eat on the train?

[MyNewBearTotoro]

Reading another thread in which a poster mentioned eating on the train and I was really surprised by the responses calling her unreasonable/ antisocial for bringing food onto the train and the vitriol she was facing for this alone.

Do people really consider it unreasonable to eat on the train or is this just one of those 'only on Mumsnet' things?

I know it's not pleasant to be stuck next to someone eating smelly food, but equally lots of things are unpleasant on trains - being crammed in close to a stranger, oversized luggage, crying babies, other people's conversations, air-conditioning to high/low etc - but just because some people may find it unpleasant does that automatically make it unreasonable or anti-social?

In an ideal world people would not bring smelly food onto the train, but in an ideal world neither would people bring on crying babies/ noisy children etc but we are human and we need to eat, especially as many people will be making journeys over several hours long. Choices of food are usually limited by either what is available on board the train or what is available from the shops on/ around the station and sometimes hot or fast food is the only option available.

Obviously hot food is permitted on trains, my local train company has buffet carriages which sell hot food (including bacon rolls) and sandwiches (including tuna fish or egg mayo) for people to buy. So I'm not questioning whether it's allowed but I guess I'm curious as to whether people genuinely think it shouldn't be. And, considering it is allowed, are people who do eat on trains genuinely considered anti-social or unreasonable by some?

Oooh ouch, you got me there.

Tbh I've eaten all kinds of things on trains a million times and its never crossed my mind that anyone might care. Ah well, I'm too old and set in my ways to change now.

Hester, I am definitely bringing my delicious veggie chilli on mine. It's the BBC Good Recipe Meat Free Chilli Con Carne. And hot porridge for breakfast. Big flask of coffee. Snacks, most likely a hard-boiled egg, Belvita biccies and peanut butter with celery sticks for crunch.

No fresh fruit, though. It spikes my blood sugar too much, I find, for some reason.

My mate is traveling with me, she is going to pick up a McDonald's breakfast as she doesn't have to worry about her blood sugar. I offered to bring chilli for us both but she prefers to eat off the cart and can afford it. She will likely drink delicious, but smelly vodka on the train, too, this Polish stuff flavoured with apple.

I will also be wearing perfume! I will probably need to touch up my makeup before arrival, too.

Want to sit next to us? We're fun.

Yummy. I'm THERE!

I obviously lead a very boring life. I travel quite a lot by public transport and never once have I experienced any of the things that cause some MNetters such angst. People just move their bags if requested and let you sit down and they quietly eat whatever they like without as much as a dirty look from anyone.

I'll bring something crunchy for you, some tortilla crisps and my homemade salsa and guacamole, both full of garlic and coriander. Oh, be sure to bring your iPod - I'll bring the speakers so we can listen to tunes on the way down. We'll grab a table and, since there will be 3 of us, 1 can put her feet up on the seat across.

No no I want the fourth seat. I'll bring kippers, don't actually like them so I'll put the on the seat across the aisle.

That's sounds bloody fab expat I would join you.

I love the way tali completely ignores the fact that the buffet car on the bloody train sells food including egg sarnies, bacon sandwiches, often panini type things and yes gallons of coffee which smells! It's all a matter of personal preference, I bloody hate the smell of coffee and currently it makes me nauseous, I deal with it.

The train companies sell this stuff on the trains! So of course it's fine to eat it. They have rules regarding feet on seats etc, quieter carriages for noise. If smells bother you that bloody much campaign for a food free carriage.

I'm a simple maid and don't posses an iPod. Will be giant obnoxious 80s stereo do?

Oranges too. Oranges are always popular.

Im going to go running in the same clothes for a month without washing

I only wash my running gear every few weeks - I must just be an all round minger......

Definitely bring the boom box. Yum, oranges. Is my mate allowed to use her vape stick on there? I'll tell her to pick up with stinky juice for it.

'I only wash my running gear every few weeks - I must just be an all round minger......'

The pavement is probably covered in vomit all around you.

So if you say , fuck it I don't care about offending others re smelly food, then you can't really complain if someone behaves in a rude or inconsiderate way to you

But I really don't care what other people do!! I'll read my book whilst listening to my music & nibbling on some (possibly smelly) food without giving a shit about what other people are doing.

All I ask is for the same consideration.....

The pavement is probably covered in vomit all around you.

That explains why I keep slipping & sliding!!

I use the train regularly and it has never had a buffet cart. I've only ever had one in first class.

Maybe if there was a "No Moaning Twats" carriage, us mingers could be left in peace.

Oh hang on - we are already!!! I must be deaf to the high pitched sizzle of an MN Seether in full froth....

I can't think of a single time I've noticed the smell of food on a train between Newcastle and London and ive taken that train hundreds of times. The only thing I'd draw the line at is durian, having been stuck on a bus from Bangkok to Chang Mai where the bus stopped after half an hour for everyone (except me) to get off and buy some.

It's about being considerate to others, not about you. Thats the thing about being considerate, or humble, or generous. It's not about you.

Oh come on. No one is really suggesting they indulge in a five course smell fest to the accompaniment of 2000 decibel music and expect others nor to mind. But to ban food on trains? Are people not being a teeny bit sensitive and mental unreasonable? People get hungry on a 6 hour journey and all they're allowed is bread and apples?

Actually, it is about me. I need to eat or I will become unwell. I need to eat food that doesn't spike the blood sugar so I don't have a hypo over the course of a 10 hour journey. As I am on a budget, I plan carefully. If it's not a 'polite sandwich', well, tough shit. I'm vegetarian and lactose intolerant, so even a sandwich is going to be egg, hummus, white bean spread or something else that's been pointed out as stinky. It's a pity some might find what I chose to eat as offensive, but yes, I put my health about their offended olfactory bulbs.

Sorry apples are too noisy aren't they? Bread and...well, bread.

And seriously, if you have issues that great that you are continuously vomiting at the slightest thing, you need to see a doctor.

Again, I have issues. Thick crowds in enclosed places. They trigger my PTSD. So I take responsibility for it, see a doctor and ask for some help in dealing with this.

It's ironic to wave the 'considerate and generous isn't about you' when you've made it all about how others should dance around your professionally offended olfactory bulb.