Hogging seats on trains

[woollyheart]

Because of a family emergency, I've been on the train a lot this past week.

A lot of people hog extra seats by putting their bags on them, or by sitting on the aisle seat so people can't get to the window seat. I think this is fair enough if there are plenty of other seats available.

But when they try to continue hogging extra seats when there are loads of people standing, I think they are extremely rude.

Surely, if there are people standing, you move your bags so they can sit. If you are in an aisle seat, you either stand up and let them through to the window seat, or slide across and let them have the aisle seat.

If they have to ASK you to move, you should apologise and make space for them.

I've seen people having to be asked to move, and not even acknowledging the person asking, never mind apologising. Or making a huge huff and puff about the whole thing. As if the rest of us are unreasonable to want a seat for a 2 hour journey.

Am I missing something?

Get on train or bus. Put bag next to you because it's not hurting anyone. If train or bus fills up so there are no more seats, move bag to let a person sit down. If you don't notice that they need a seat and they have to ask you, move it onto your lap or floor saying 'Yes. Of course'
This comment seems to me so sensible, that the rest of this thread is practically irrelevant.
In the (hopefully rare) occasions when a polite request is refused, then sit on the bag. It may never happen-but I am sure it will work.

Hi all

Can we have a bit of peace and love, please?

We've had. For 18 hours. Late night? Hangover?

It does seem like a bit of a late intervention from LilyMumsnet, doesn't it Lweji? Obviously working through her to-do list.

When people ignore or look away I just move their stuff onto the rack. I haven't got time to argue or mess with them. If they don't notice you they won't notice you moving their stuff.
If they say anything then you just say I'm moving this bag off the seat. You can add as I need to sit down as I can't stand any longer if you're soft, or it's on my seat.
I now look for seats with bags on and take those rather than empty ones, it's funny.

now look for seats with bags on and take those rather than empty ones, it's funny

More prattish than funny

If you haven't seen this, it may please some of you. It did me.

metro.co.uk/video/woman-kicked-train-refusing-bag-seat-1864080/

(also a nice shot of the police officer's back at the end)

Get on train or bus. Put bag next to you because it's not hurting anyone. If train or bus fills up so there are no more seats, move bag to let a person sit down. If you don't notice that they need a seat and they have to ask you, move it onto your lap or floor saying 'Yes. Of course'

Yup. Nailed it.

Get on train or bus. Put bag next to you because it's not hurting anyone. If train or bus fills up so there are no more seats, move bag to let a person sit down. If you don't notice that they need a seat and they have to ask you, move it onto your lap or floor saying 'Yes. Of course'

^^This.

My train is near empty when I get on it. I'm one of those people who becomes so engrossed in what I'm doing (I work on my commute) that I very occasionally don't realise how the train has filled up. When I do realise, I move my bag. If I don't, someone will ask, politely, to which I reply, politely: "Oh I'm sorry, yes of course you can sit here" and remove my belongings. It's not hard.

Get on train or bus. Put bag next to you because it's not hurting anyone. If train or bus fills up so there are no more seats, move bag to let a person sit down. If you don't notice that they need a seat and they have to ask you, move it onto your lap or floor saying 'Yes. Of course'

As long as the bag on the seat hasn't previously been on a dirty floor, pavement, whatever - I've seen people lift backpacks from grubby station platforms and put them on a seat, transferring the dirt on to the seat. Nice to sit on, don't you think?

As long as the bag on the seat hasn't previously been on a dirty floor, pavement, whatever - I've seen people lift backpacks from grubby station platforms and put them on a seat, transferring the dirt on to the seat. Nice to sit on, don't you think?

Yes, because sitting on something that other people's arses have previously been sat on (and in some cases pissed on by kids/ vomited on by drunks) is infinitely preferable.

I often sit on the aisle seat, reduces my motion sickness. If someone asks to have the window seat I let them past. If people are standing and saying nothing, I tell them the seat is free.

Bags on seats I ask them to move them. I have in the past then gone to sit on bags, and surprisingly they are quickly moved.

I use public transport a lot. I notice people sitting oblivious to what is going on around them. Or they don't give a shit. And people standing, looking at bags on seats and instead of saying a thing just stand and look annoyed.

As long as the bag on the seat hasn't previously been on a dirty floor, pavement, whatever - I've seen people lift backpacks from grubby station platforms and put them on a seat, transferring the dirt on to the seat. Nice to sit on, don't you think?

Yes, because sitting on something that other people's arses have previously been sat on (and in some cases pissed on by kids/ vomited on by drunks) is infinitely preferable.

I wonder why we even sit down on these seats, with all these nasty germs on them....

That's great.. I know where you're coming from. I'm on a mission to only sit on the seats with bags on so I can watch them move them etc. Also when I get slotted on the window seat I'm going to the toilet during that journey too.

I'm torn on this because it's so difficult when you need space due to mental or physical health problems.

100% of the time i put my bag or suitcase on the seat next to me until the train is busy enough that there are no other seats available. Unless i am in a priority seat, which i am eligible for but tend to stay away from because i look able-bodied and get a lot of funny looks/insults.

I keep my bags next to me because for some reason i will never understand, people ask me to move them so they can sit down when there's empty rows of seats. It feels completely predatory and gives me the opportunity to say "no there's a seat available over there".

I have no idea what goes through someones brain to sit next to someone on a half-empty train (or bus for that matter)!

I am unfortunately a seat hogger with my bag but ONLY when it's not busy and there are plenty of seats. As soon as it gets busier I always move my bag and happily let someone in to sit.

Yes it is, but I'm still laughing.

Gingerswan you must have picked the best seats if people want them.
Personally I book my train just before lunch so I can eat on the train and I like to have a table and face the traveling direction and be on the side with the sea view.
So if your bag is on my seat then thanks for keeping it safe for me.

*What I mean is if you make no effort to notify me that you would like to sit down then want to complain about it later then I have no sympathy.

I’m not putting myself at risk again for your convenience or some unwritten rule of the railway.*

So, if you deem someone who asks to sit in your row not to be a sexual assault risk say like a little old lady or Mum with an infant do you slide into the window seat to let them comfortably sit down ?

I doubt it somehow... you seem very unconcerned with others needs, just your own.