Was I being unreasonable to have asked her to be quiet?

[Loudgirlonatrain]

Namechanged as I told my dh about this and I don't want him finding my other posts!

I was on a train journey yesterday and it's a rare opportunity without kids so it sounds a bit stupid but I was SO looking forward to reading my book!

When I got on the carriage the first thing I heard was a woman talking to someone across the aisle. In fairness to her she wasn't shouting as such but she had an incredibly loud voice. One of those really ringing, carrying ones. I sat right in the middle of the carriage and she was at the end near the doors. Even so, it was as as if she was right next to me. I heard every detail about how rude people in London were, her degree and the stress of applying for jobs, how nice it was to chat on these long journeys. Several people were rolling their eyes a bit.

In the end I went to her and asked really quietly "look, d'you mind keeping it down a bit ?" She looked really shocked and she did speak quieter for the rest of the journey. I could still hear her in fact but it wasn't quite as 'commanding.'

Having written it like that I don't think I was unreasonable but I felt rotten at the time as I went from wanting to kill her to wanting to apologise to her !

[Didyoumeantobesorude1]

YADNBU. I wish more of us could do what you did. Maybe then people would stop being so rude, self-absorbed and selfishly loud.

[DailyMailReadersAreThick]

Didyoumeantobesorude1 Apparently it's a "public space" so they can do whatever they like, no matter how it impacts on other people.

[BlondeB83]

YANBU but it's why I always travel first class.

[Justaboy]

Went to London on the train to a concert last month there was a group of women thereon had no idea at all just how LOUD they were.

On the way back there were a load of drunken yobbish men who had no idea just how LOUD they were too, and the language, every other word was fuck and then who they were going give one too and or fuck.

Next time the car will be taken, sod public transport:-(.

[CorbynsBumFlannel]

Talking a bit louder than the op would like isn't 'doing whatever you like'. You can't expect to treat a train carriage like your own front room and expect it to be an ideal environment for you. There may be people with louder than average voices, there may be mobile phones ringing, babies crying etc.
Having no thought for people who are hard of hearing is what I call not being considerate of others!

[Ippydippyskyblue]

You did have the option to change carriages, especially as she got there first and you become quickly aware of her, when you subsequently got onto the train.

Personally, I'd have tried to find the quiet carriage. That's my idea of bliss! Chances are it wasn't just her chatting loudly, but the odd ringtone, kids talking/wailing, etc.

[AnnaFiveTowns]

YABU.