People who sit on the aisle side on the bus / train

[CruCru]

There seems to be an epidemic of people choosing to sit on the aisle side of the bus or train, leaving the window seat free. Is it just me or is this quite a weird thing to do?

They probably think that people are less likely to sit next to them but once the bus / train fills up (the ones I get always have people standing), all the seats fill up so people have to squeeze past them to get on and off.

Hundreds of people get on at the stop before the one I get off at. So I sit in the aisle seat in a block of four and let people past me to fill up the other seats so I can sit down right until my stop. Also stops me having to squeeze my ample bottom past all those people three minutes after they got on!

I actually prefer a window seat for a long quiet journey though.

For me it’s not wanting to sit next to the heater!!!! Argh

Everyone knows that the window seat is the fly space

1. I am less likely to get company until it gets busy. (I always hop up and let people in though and if someone really wanted or needed the aisle seat I'd shove over). It works most times!

2. Stops someone penning me in and expecting me to climb over them and stops someone taking all the space because I'm little and get squashed.

3. I catch a commuter service and get off before a lot of people. It's one less numpty to get past to get off and means they don't have to let me out.

4. I'm hypermobile in my leg joints and have damage to my legs. I really struggle if I'm squashed with no space to wriggle them.

5. People who want to sit right next to me when there are other empty window seats or even whole rows empty should be shot.

If I sit in the front priority seat on my local bus (I AM disabled btw,I always use one,occasionally 2,walking sticks) I have to sit in the seat nearest the aisle,because of problems with bending my left knee. The base of the luggage rack is in front of these seats and there is very little leg room available. It means that you have to sit with your legs pulled back practically as far as they will go (and I'm not THAT tall,only 5 ft 5). I cannot bend my left knee back far enough to sit in this space so it is extremely uncomfortable for me. If I'm sitting in the aisle seat,it's not a problem. It's only in this front seat that this is an issue,and if anyone asks me to move over so they can sit down,I simply say that I can't because of my disability and stand up to let them past to sit on the inside.
On the other hand,if I've ever needed to sit down and someone is sitting in the aisle seat next to an empty seat,I merely ask if I can sit down. The choice is theirs whether they move up or stand to let me past to sit down. I've occasionally had a glare when I've asked, but I don't give a shit but never actually had anyone refuse (yet!).

I don't like being hemmed in so sit in an aisle seat if available. Don't put my bag on the other seat and will always get up to let someone sit in the free seat if they ask. Do people have a problem with asking someone to let them sit down - that's a bit pathetic frankly.

I don’t have a problem with people sitting in the aisle seat if they want. I do find it very frustrating when they won’t move to let me off at my stop though. So annoying to have to clamber over people who can’t be arsed to stand up for 5 seconds to let me off. 😡

I had someone assume I was just being selfish doing this and they properly squeezed past me, like full on butt in the face without giving me time to move. Very passive aggressive.
I think they felt really bad when they saw my walking stick when I went to get off! Haven’t taken the bus since, always unpleasant with an invisible disability when you’re quite young.
Ask nicely and I would’ve happily got up whilst the bus is stationary to let you in!

I'm very claustrophobic. Can't bear the idea of being penned in by the window. Especially if the other person is bigger than I am.

I have severe aniexty made worse if I feel boxed in and I do this. Maybe don't judge because people can sit where they want.

I prefer the window seat on the bus as I'm almost always the last person to get off on the route but on the train I always take an aisle seat if possible as I hate having to climb/trip over people to get off when it's my stop.

I always sit in an aisle seat. More than happy to move for someone to go and sit by the window but I won't move to the window seat. I'm OK in lifts and stood up on the tube but I'm quite tall and find people's thighs end up wedged up against me usually whereas I can half hang off the seat into the aisle if I'm sat there. And, I was horrifically travel sick on a train about three years ago. Ever since then I've been extra afraid of suddenly needing to hurl and not being able to get out quick enough.

I see a lot of people have anxiety issues that prevents them from sitting in the window seat, but I feel for people who have anxiety issues that prevent them from asking complete strangers to move so they can sit down.

I am an aisle sitter. I make eye contact with people nearby so they know there's a space and always stand up people to sit down. I am overweight and hate people who just swing their legs out to let me out. Its so awkward.

Live and let live. As long as they don't try to occupy the window seat with their belongings

I take delight in saying 'excuse me' and sitting by the window seat, if no others are available. My feeling is that there are some with claustrophobia or anxiety, some with conditions or minor mobility issues as others have described, but most are just trying to hog a double seat.

This chap today couldn't decide which seat he wanted so he took both - perhaps he's on this thread

"most are just trying to hog a double seat"

On my packed commuter train you'd have to have a death wish to attempt to occupy two seats during rush hour

I always take the window seat. It's annoying that people don't, except of course if they have a disability.

but most are just trying to hog a double seat

Nah, to do this people sit by the window and put their bag on the aisle seat so no one can sit next to them.

Or on long journeys they make a 'pretend' person next to them to make it look like he seat is occupied. i.e. coat, paper and sandwich wrapper on the table etc.

@monkeynuts18 yes and I always get up and allow them to sit down if they want to. I offer them a seat.

Just people judge others when they don't know the points. No wonder some people are anxious to do or say things, when peoole like to judge and moan.

If the train’s filling up and I have a choice between the empty aisle seat next to someone in window seat and the empty window seat with bag/coat on it next to someone in aisle seat, I’ll choose the bag one.

Me too. Us going for the 'tricky' seats leaves the easily accessible ones for people who are less confident or have anxiety.

I do this as am claustrophobic. Hate being wedged in if a larger person sits next to me. Plus they pump hot air out by the window, which I find unbearable

I do it as I feel trapped at the window. I hate aeroplane seating for the same reason especially if there are 3 seats and I was given the window. (When flying alone)