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?

"personal attentions" = attending to one's person: make-up, hair etc

I don't mind people eating on the train, or bus. The smell isn't any more annoying than a lots of perfumes are, especially that horrible Tudor Rose that everyone wore about 20 years ago. Sometimes that reek was so bad I'd have to change carriage.

Peas I agree with you about lunch... Very very rarely do i eat a sandwich on a bus etc (normally if I have an interview and short on time).

windy yes salted hot nuts... Forgotten the rudeness of that statement! I meant those caramel ones you get on Oxford St - nana said they'd been there for years!

I always move away if anyone is eating anything near me on a train. Can't stand it, especially not hot or strong-smelling food. Ditto, make-up putter-on-ers, unless it's very quick and neat application of lipstick.

krampus no you're fine! totally agree re fish!

Checking up on make up and touch ups fine. Whipping out enough stuff to paint a ship and doing make up from scratch I don't understand, no.
Last time I saw someone doing this the person who left the bus looked totally different to the one who got on, also combed her hair. Yuck, why should others put up with her hairs everywhere?
I have worn make up and worked for 40 years but no would not put make up on in front of strangers.

'I always move away if anyone is eating anything near me on a train. Can't stand it, especially not hot or strong-smelling food. Ditto, make-up putter-on-ers, unless it's very quick and neat application of lipstick.'

I love it when people move away and vacate their seat for FA. Wahey! Seat!

Bimbly I agree with all your statement...

I think it's a big city thing and you'd find the same in Edinburgh etc... Probably not Paris though!

expat . Yes, get IN! Unless it's someone with a bacon sandwich and I am worried that I may be so overcome with jealousy that I just lean over and lick it, as someone upthread unhelpfully put the idea into my head.

When I was at school one of the rules was no eating outside in uniform. I was once chastised for eating a banana at lunchtime on the school drive.

I am an old fart who thinks eating in the street is ghastly.

When DD and I were in that London in April I was overwhelmed by all the street food - and that people bought it, then sat on the kerb at the edge of the gutter to eat it.

Glove punch of solidarity, ExitPursuedByABear.

I had no idea I was so antisocial on trains. I occasionally eat a bacon roll. I've also been known to put makeup on, including nail varnish. For the record this isn't an effective method (hence I do try to avoid it) unless you like the mascara-across-nose-cheeks-and-mouth look or crave having fingernails that look like Stevie Wonder as a small child on LSD has been let loose.

exit your post has reminded me that I used to eat an apple on the school bus in Australia while at primary school.
I'm another one who thinks eating in the street is ghastly unless seating at a cafe table. Sitting on the curb to eat?? Who thinks this is fine?

Probably not Superflyhigh

'Who thinks this is fine?'

Who honestly spends any time caring where other people eat?

I think it is because watching humans groom themselves or masticate is just basically repulsive.

If you are eating with others at home or in a restaurant or caff it's not so bad as you are occupied with stuffing your own gob. But just to sit there and watch them chew....just VILE

I can't stop laughing at 'personal attentions'

She's sticking a bit of make-up on, not changing a tampon.

So I guess as expected opinion is divided. AlthoughI'm still surprised so many have such a strong opinion that eating on trains shouldn't be done or that certain foods are anti-social. Of course people who leave half-eaten food or food wrappers all over the train or those who smear food over the seats etc are being antisocial but amazed how many people think it's not okay to bring on a burger even if you plan to eat it with mouth closed and then dispose of leftovers appropriately.

That said I'm even more amazed at those who think people shouldn't even be putting on make up on trains. Personally I don't wear make-up but fail to see how that can possibly be offensive to others - it creates no noise, no smell, no waste and there's nothing inappropriate to see (surely no-one is offended by the sight of a lipstick tube, eye pencil or make-up brush?). Maybe the problem is with these unmade-up women daring to get on the train with a naked face where some poor man might have to see her before she's made herself beautiful? Or with some women daring to put on more than the permitted amount of make-up - what do they think they look like?

I just find it incredible the things some people manage to get worked up about.

People should just sit still and quietly and not make their presences felt.

Anything else is vulgar.

'I think it is because watching humans groom themselves or masticate is just basically repulsive.

If you are eating with others at home or in a restaurant or caff it's not so bad as you are occupied with stuffing your own gob. But just to sit there and watch them chew....just VILE'

Why watch? Read a book or paper, stare out the window, put on some music, play on your phone or tablet. I'm surprised anyone notices what some random stranger is doing on a train, tbh.

Also, has nobody thought of just turning away? If the problem is simply with the mere sight of somebody chewing or applying make-up surely you can just focus your attention elsewhere?

Surely reading a book on a train is roood too?

All that public fingering of pages

Eating/putting make up on in public - it's not exactly lady like is it - In fact, it's rather slovenly imo.

What happened to thread about the guide dog licking the maccy d on the train?

Two camps here obviously....

I couldn't give a flying fish what anyone else does on a train as long as it's not illegal....

If we really want to take this a step up what about babies and children on the train and feeding/cleaning them?! opens a whole other can of worms

The babies and children I don't care about what they do either....

A train one though.... One evening recently I was coming home later from an evening out. The seats were opposite one of those automatic opening toilets.... We had to direct men to the toilet and then ensure they closed the door.... And then due to the smell we closed the door afterwards for them.... That was quite boaky. Who puts seats outside the toilet area?! We were desperate to sit down though.