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?

I've always eaten on trains. Not because I'm hungry, but because it is very boring on a train and eating something makes it a bit more bearable.

I don't think it is unreasonable at all. Eating smelly food is not acceptable but eating a sandwich etc is fine. I've had to eat on trains when I am on a long journey etc.

April2013 - are you some type of grazing animal? Humans are supposed to be civilised and no one is going to keel over and die because they can't eat a burger on the Circle Line.

Burger on the Circle Line, perhaps not. But a meal on a long distance train journey, or indeed a cereal bar on the Circle Line (bearing in mind that commuting may be a person's first chance to take a break to eat) - what's the problem?

People talking about it not being ok on shorter commuter trains (I'm not thinking of tubes here) - isn't the problem that they can often be part of much longer journeys? I frequently take 7+ hour train journeys. One of the connections (which is between 1-2 hours long) often uses a 'commuter' train, which doesn't have a buffet car. If the journey falls out that I'm on that train at lunchtime or dinnertime, I don't see why there's a difference between eating my packup on that train vs any other.

SaucyJack next time you are hungry and there's some inconsiderate soul eating, go up and lick their food, with any luck they will throw it at you.

I have to say there are certain foods I find pong but I'll open the window (if possibly) if it's too pongy.

Some pe

the only food that should be eaten outside (not in a cafe/restaurant) is ice cream cones, picnics, fish and chips at the seaside.

Inside a train is not outside. Discuss.

And what about aeroplanes? People eat on planes, positively encouraged to, I can't see how it is different really.

there are signs up about eating smelly food on commuter trains asking everyone to think of other passengers fair enough easy to consider others and you can eat something that does not smell but many ignore this

Long distance I get but if you only going a few stops I think polite to wait to eat your McDonald it stinks

Late trains from London bridge/Waterloo on a Friday night are disgusting chicken bones on the floor, empty bottles and fast food litter everywhere

Oh god yes Red Bull. Utterly nauseating. I would move seats/carriages, though, because that is my problem not theirs..

I took my kids 18 stops (each way) on the tube in the summer. We definitely ate!

I've read threads where people work in close proximity to people who have 'active' digestive systems that are constantly growling, which is also deemed by many to be offensive. Eat, you offend someone with the smell. Don't eat, you offend someone with the noise your stomach makes. I shall continue to enjoy my bacon butty on the train first thing in the morning. Nobody objects to the smell of bacon, surely? (Excepting vegetarians of course). A woman sat down next to me the other morning and had some foul smelling oats and yoghurt concoction. It looked foul, it smelled foul. I'd rather have smelled cooked food, even McDonald's, than that shite.

Merry

Yes, this! I always have to battle with myself not to eat my lunch early just for something to pass the time.

Some people have to eat on the hoof.

Reasons vary from no time to sit and relax over their meal to they simple greedy piggy wiggys.

Hellonheels - I would be very envious and want to know where they got that waffle creation (but yes, I agree, not a sane practical choice to eat it on a crowded train).

Provisional, I know. It's almost an instinctive reaction to getting on a train. Bored, bored, bored. What can I eat?

the only food that should be eaten outside (not in a cafe/restaurant) is ice cream cones, picnics, fish and chips...

I wouldn't really be keen on people eating fish and chips on the train.

I think it is grim.

The smell is bad enough, but also some leave their wrappers and crumbs on the seats.
A few times recently I have had to move the previous passengers packets and wrappers on to the floor (no bins that I could see). I did ask the trolley guy whenhecame round if he could take the rubbish but he just joked about it and said no.
On a long journey I think it would be okay to have non smelly sandwiches etc.

"Nobody objects to the smell of bacon, surely?"

Is this a joke? I should imagine bacon would be the number one choice if you wanted to offend/annoy as many different demographics as possible in one go. Half the world doesn't eat pork.

I'll try that Moln

I wouldn't bat an eyelid. On long journeys I often get a couple of those little 'Le Frog' wines to drink. I've had a few funny looks but couldn't give a toss. I'm not drunk.

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread.

I catch the train to and from work everyday as does my DH. People eating on the train is something we completely agree is antisocial and annoying. Colleagues I work with who also catch the train tend to agree also.

People sitting near you eating food which doesn't smell is bad enough because of munching noises. When this happens, I shove my earphones in and listen to some music.

But people who eat smelly food on the train are some next manner of twat. Of course they are perfectly within their rights to and I understand why people do if they have a long journey which cuts across a meal time.
However, similarly, I think I have a right to a train journey to and from work where my senses aren't assaulted by piping hot tuna curry and boiled eggs. When some is near me on the train eating smelly food I whip my perfume out and very liberally spray it all around me to drown out the smell of their tea. I'm fully aware that two wrongs don't make a right and I'm being mean and childish but I don't really give a shit.

I object to the smell of bacon. It makes me irrationally jealous!

It's always been a thing though - in one of the Family from One End Street books I remember the working class family breaking out the biscuits and oranges to eat on a train journey and being bemused by the snobby lady sharing the carriage with them, who didn't like it.

Actually my biggest problem is that the smell of other people's food tends to make me feel hungry... unless it's a vile yoghurt and oats concoction.

If I'm running from dropping off kids to catching train, from train to client meeting, from meeting back to train and from train to pick up kids, then the chances are that no, I don't have time to buy food and sit at a table to eat it, and if I don't eat on either one or () both trains, I won't eat all day.

And when you've not eaten all day, a sausage roll grabbed from the Cornish Pasty Company at Kings X when running for one's train is one of life's joys.

I miss the days when you could get the train up to Edinburgh with a restaurant car. If you booked a meal, you got to sit in big squashy seats with a table and posh china and have a meal and a glass of wine - all for less than the price of a first class ticket! It was so civilised!

I think they stopped it recently, though.

I can't understand people eating on public transport unless long haul.
Obviously children eating fine
Also opening packets and eating around supermarkets. Again, hungry child fine. Also some people may need to eat for health reasons.
I don't mind children eating in public transport or supermarkets but have never encouraged mine to do so.

I suppose it's a cultural thing. I live in Spain and don't see anyone eating in public transport (except long haul) or supermarkets. Have seen in southern Spain British eating breakfast in the bus to work (20 minute ride if travelling full route) and eating snacks on the way back. Also applying make up.
I've only seen a Spanish person eating in the bus. She ate a can of olives and dropped the pits on the floor. Rude by anyone's standard.
I used to see her daily and she only did it afaik the once.

Also the fact you have just handled money, touched dirty surfaces and then eat without washing hands.
Each to their own but I really dislike to see grown ups eating in public transport, some people go about it in a neat way but many don't.