AIBU to think this was cheeky? (Train and makeup related)

[hellinabreadbasket]

Dh and I were on a packed commuter train this morning - standing room only. DH opened his newspaper to read- a girl sitting on a seat to the left asked him "would you mind closing your paper as I'm doing my make up and your blocking my light". DH just did it as he didn't really know what to say, and I was out of earshot so sort of missed it. AIBU to be astounded at the cheek??

[emsyj]

I used to live in London and suffer the packed commuter trains. There was always one selfish twat who would insist on reading a paper regardless of the fact that doing so involved encroaching on someone else's (or usually several other people's) limited personal space. I have had people rest their papers on my head/back etc. Yes, it is knobbish to read a paper on a (as you describe it) packed commuter train. It takes up a fair amount of space to open a paper to read it - as demonstrated by the complaint that your DH was blocking the light. Perhaps it was more a pointed complaint about him spreading around this girl's personal space rather than a genuine issue with her makeup? Who knows. He did the right thing just dealing with it and moving on anyway.

[Kerberos]

I don't think it was unreasonable and she sounded quite polite.

[Queenbean]

People reading newspapers on packed tube trains are bloody annoying. However well they think they've folded the paper up they always have a sort of backwards lean which inevitably leans in to the person behind them.

I also don't see the problem with people doing their make up on the train - unless it's dusting very dusty powder / spraying hairspray then the flicks of mascara or a stray line of eyebrow pencil aren't exactly going to land on anyone else.

If his paper was high enough to be blocking her light then it was high enough to be in her face, so although I think her reason for asking was weird, he was wrong and shouldn't be spreading newspapers out on packed tube carriages

[hellinabreadbasket]

Blimey I had no idea that reading a paper on a train was considered such a faux pas! queenbean though I didn't see it myself, I imagine if light blocking was an issue some type of powder would be involved as you don't need particularly good light to be putting on lippy and mascara.

[Queenbean]

Can't you see that irrespective of her applying make-up, it would be very uncomfortable to have your light blocked at all on a train journey by some inconsiderate man reading his paper? Why was his need for space to read a paper more important than her need for light?

He sounds like an arse if he can't see that.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Gawd whenever I'm lucky enough to get a seat, I end up eye level with random arses and crotches. A newspaper would be a blessing.

He should've lurched uncomtrollably and nudged her elbow, she'd end up with lipstick like The Joker

[ExitPursuedByABear]

I learnt how to fold the Telegrapgh for efficient and easy reading on the Tube.

She was a cheeky caaaah but I admire her brass neck.

And your obviously lovely DH for meekly complying with her request.

[SoupDragon]

Why is her makeup appliance more important than his paper reading?

Equally, why is his paper reading more important than her makeup? [shrug] she asked nicely, he wasn't fussed, I can't see the problem. Surely it's all about give and take?

[OutsiderInTheGarden]

I never thought that reading a paper on a train would be quite so controversial. Why on earth do they give out free papers? I'm so grateful that I don't commute or live somewhere with many people, the etiquette is obviously a minefield! I think it's more unreasonable to do your makeup on a train (or pluck your eyebrows! Ew!) than to read a paper. By 'having her light blocked' she didn't mean he'd wrapped the paper around her head. He sounds lovely, she sounds like she needs an earlier alarm.

[Ineedmorelemonpledge]

I'd have have made a sympathetic face and said "I don't think the light is your problem". Preferably while patting her kindly on the hand.

[hellinabreadbasket]

outsider who knew??? Maybe they should give out free samples of benefit on the platforms instead??

[AnchorDownDeepBreath]

Meh. Make up on a train is gross, but if you don't ask, you don't get. Presumably your husband was happy to comply so all is well that ends well.

[ExtraHotLatteToGo]

I quite like watching someone do their make up on the train. I love the transformation, something I never quite achieve. It feels a bit personal to watch, but hey, if they choose to do it on the train...

People that read newspapers on packed commuter trains are generally full of their own self importance with no care for others comfort. Just saying.
The wives of those men are usually even worse. Weird world isn't it.

But to answer you OP no, I don't think she was cheeky to politely request something, no matter what it was.

[Marilynsbigsister]

All very unpleasant, make-up on train is very common behaviour according to my 85 yr old mother who lists it as only one offence down from applying lipstick at a restaurant table. Her favourite line is to ask if anyone would find a man taking out an electric shaver and giving himself the once over...(after all it saves time on getting ready for the commute) . No. Personal grooming should be done in private ,
...but just thank the Lord everyday you are on a English train and not a Bangkok bus (my regular commute for 7 yrs) where cutting your toenails was pretty much mandatory activity amongst the travelling public ..

[Queenbean]

How is applying make-up (no mess) comparable at all with using an electric razor (lots of mess) in any way?

[Sugarlightly]

All he had to say was "Oh, sorry!" and either move his paper or at least pretend to try to move his paper. Maybe it's cheeky for her to ask but it's not something worth worrying about

[SabineUndine]

I think putting make-up on, while on the train is the antithesis of classy. I'd be as likely to shave my legs in public, to be honest (just waiting for someone to pipe up and say they've see that on the 4.50 from Paddington or similar!). Personal grooming should be done in private! I don't even like combing my hair in public.

[TriJo]

Doing your makeup on the tube is just obnoxious in general.

Had some oul bint try and rest her book on my bump while I was standing on a rush hour Northern line train at 7 months pregnant - then give me a death stare when the baby kicked and it moved her book!

[trafalgargal]

So long as it isn't a broadsheet most commuters are pretty adept at reading a paper without getting in anyone's face (the broadsheet readers tend to be PITAs however). Putting make up on on a crowded train however is just plain skanky. There's always eye rolling at it or people laughing at the vanity of it...plus it tends to be fairly badly applied due to the train movement so it is pretty pointless.

I'm afraid I'd have just laughed at her had she asked me and then gone back to my paper.It's public transport not a make up studio

[trafalgargal]

Public transport.

[Andylion]

How is applying make-up (no mess) comparable at all with using an electric razor (lots of mess) in any way?
They are both personal grooming. These people lack boundaries. The world is not their boudoir.

[Andrewofgg]

If you give me your seat you'll have the light!