to think that nobody died from travelling backwards on a train?

[EvelynWardrobe]

Why do people make a fuss about this? The trains I travel on aren’t full, so I get to watch this pantomime of ninnies quite frequently.

Today I’m facing in the direction of travel at a table seat, empty seat beside me and two empty seats on the opposite side of the table. A couple get on, she sits opposite me and he insists I move my bag (the train is less than 50% occupied) so he can sit beside me.

I’m considering doing some man-spreading, even though I’m not one.

[charleyfarleysaunt]

I hate travelling backwards and find it bizarre that so many "airline style" seats on a train face backwards. No-one faces backwards on a plane.

Um... because trains go to and from a terminus and can't turn around? Our trains to London have First Class carriages at the end that arrives first in London

Planes have a jolly big airport space in which to turn around in in and also take off according to the wind direction I have been told (that last bit may be wrong, but they do have the space and capability to turn round where unlike in Thomas the Tank Engine there aren't any turntables)

Oh, and OP - WTF? Your bag really does not need to be on a seat!!

[Trills]

:o at not comprehending that trains don't always run in the same direction but go both ways.

[Increasinglymiddleaged]

It is fascinatingly weird. The direction of travel doesn't make that much difference to me, trains make me feel equally sick regardless of the direction. I felt rank facing forwards the other day.....

[Increasinglymiddleaged]

But I see others have mentioned pendalino. Yes, that is a new modern level of hell.

[LoniceraJaponica]

Wow, that's pretty extreme Darnda. How do you manage to get about? Can you drive?

[Darnda]

@Xeneth88 thank you, it was a few years ago & there were no lasting effects except I now don’t tolerate any nonsense about travelling. It’s made me quite sad that people don’t realise motion sickness is horrible and it can spiral into vomiting, fainting & dehydrating quite quickly. And all of a sudden you’re in some trouble that could have been easily avoided.

[MumsTheWordYouKnow]

You know what’s worse. When some idiot leaves their bag on the seat. Ok probably more thinking of packed trains. Had this when my son was a toddler and people didn’t move their bags so we could sit down CFs imo.

[Catsize]

I only started getting travel sick in my late 30s. Think trains are bad? Try swingboats. Although nobody leaves their bag on a swingboat seat. Thought I’d die after going in one at Carfest with my 3yr old who insisted we stayed on for aaaaaages.

[Xeneth88]

@Darnda im glad you're ok now

[purplebunny2012]

It actually makes me feel very ill to travel backwards! I have been sick on trains in the past, or had to force myself to nap so that I won't feel sick.
Be more considerate of others.

[BlueyDragon]

Don’t get travel sick at all on trains, planes, cars, boats, motorcycles, coaches, buses, except on bloody tilting trains when I feel vile. Unless I’m facing away from the direction of travel. Make of that what you will, OP, but take your bag off the seat while you are thinking about it. If my ticket doesn’t buy a seat yours certainly doesn’t buy one for your bag.

[purplebunny2012]

And I have to take travel sickness pills on a Pendelino, even when facing forward. I now physically try to avoid them, but unfortunately I sometimes need that faster train.

[skodadoda]

Well, foodtime, I'm very glad that you're not my GP. There is a well-recognised science behind motion sickness.

[owlalwaysloveyou]

Next time I go on train I'll be sure to ask "would you rather I sat next to you and was quiet or opposite and was sick on you and for the rest of the day?"

[blackteasplease]

I don't sit at a table seat alone either as it increases the chance of people sitting with me.

maired you would be welcome to come and sit on the inside seat beside me, and if stand up for you to do so, but I wouldn't be moving up. If my bag is on an inside seat while the train is not crowded it will be put on the floor long before the train gets crowded to make it clear that seat is free.

[JanKind]

YABU. The seat is not for your bag. Get over it

[Daddystepdaddy]

Did you pay for a seat for your bag? Handbagging a seat is the female equivalent of manspreading you know...

[StrangeLookingParasite]

Some people just kick everyone else to suit their own needs, when they could in fact book a seat that suits them!

Woops. What have I just said there, is it totally non PC isn't it.

Smug. And arrogant.

Did you read the posts where people said they request forward-facing but are never given them? RTFT.

[LAlady]

When I commuted into London it used to annoy me when people would use a seat for their bag. Just inconsiderate. I would considerately ask them to move it to enable me to sit there.

[JacquesHammer]

Some people just kick everyone else to suit their own needs, when they could in fact book a seat that suits them!

Woops. What have I just said there, is it totally non PC isn't it

Not non PC just a bit stupid.

There are all sorts of reasons why despite booking, someone doesn't get the seat they want. Train company uses a different coach with slightly different configuration, train has to travel with coaches in a different direction. Often when you book far enough in advance the train company themselves will say "it isn't clear which direction the coach will be facing"

Both my sister and DD feel unwell travelling backwards. I don't mind so we usually get around this by booking seats opposite each other at a table, meaning one seat will always be forward facing.

When I travel alone I book a seat but don't specify. I work on the train too but (a) my bag doesn't need a seat and (b) I would happily swap with someone if it made their journey better. Isn't it just the kind thing to do?

[dustyparadeground]

I agree with OP it's a fuss about nothing but OP reveals a pet hate of mine - bags that apparently need seats of their own!

[JacquesHammer]

I agree with OP it's a fuss about nothing

Have you read the thread? There's countless examples of why people need forwards facing seats; I am lucky enough to be able to travel facing any direction. Doesn't mean I don't believe in travel sickness!

[SoupDragon]

I agree with OP it's a fuss about nothing

I assume you mean the OP is making a fuss given the amount of people who have given examples of how they are affected by travelling backwards on a train?

[Increasinglymiddleaged]

The thing I don't get is that when sitting in a table seat it's far more annoying when someone sits opposite you than next to you. They clearly have every right to sit opposite me, before I get flamed but it means that you can't stretch out. So I don't really understand why the OP is put out about this anyway.

[manicmij]

I suffer from travel sickness on most forms of travel. Feel sick even watching child on swing. That is why a lot of folk want to travel forward facing. How much did you pay for your bag's seat?