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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Masks on public transport

55 replies

likeacrow · 01/07/2020 16:31

Aibu or is there no point in wearing a face mask on public transport if you then pull it down every few seconds to eat crisps or swig pop?

OP posts:
Ilovegreentomatoes · 01/07/2020 19:47

But the truth is you cannot be fined for not wearing one it was just said to scare people.But I agree it should be mandatory but I fear many would just lie that they are in the exempt category.

cardibach · 01/07/2020 19:54

@likeacrow

There were 2 separate passengers who sat on the bus with their masks on then pulled them down every few seconds to cram a crisp in /have a drink of pop. Would other people have said anything to them I wonder? I wanted to but didn't.
I really dislike the words used about eating in here ‘Cram a crisp in’ - really? Not just ‘eat a crisp’? And @annabel85 and her description of people ‘stuffing their face’ - not just ‘eating’ either? It’s ridiculous. Whether or not you have a point about masks, this language is vile and ridiculous.
annabel85 · 01/07/2020 20:10

@cardibach I didn't mean any offence by it but people should not be eating on public transport at the moment.

Original poster
likeacrow · 01/07/2020 20:13

@cardibach Don't you think "vile and ridiculous" might be a tad OTT? Crisps are for cramming and stuffing your face with, surely. Personally, I've never nibbled delicately on a packet of crisps. Nothing wrong with that, but ideally not on a bus in a pandemic. People often use a variety of verbs to liven up sentences. Not sure what the big deal is.

OP posts:
Tattoocrazymum · 01/07/2020 20:26

Slightly off topic, but its nice to see some posters understand sometimes its out of the drivers control.
My dad is a bus driver and im so sad for him the abuse he has to deal with, the same lecture with dozens of passengers about needing to wear a mask... The names and foul language he has to deal with daily is awful, then theres posts on facebook from people who think because he has a bit of plastic protecting him, that he should be fine about enforcing rules himself and dealing with the abuse he gets.
Hes in his 60s and so unfair how people treat him, and other drivers trying to do their job.

cardibach · 01/07/2020 20:33

[quote likeacrow]@cardibach Don't you think "vile and ridiculous" might be a tad OTT? Crisps are for cramming and stuffing your face with, surely. Personally, I've never nibbled delicately on a packet of crisps. Nothing wrong with that, but ideally not on a bus in a pandemic. People often use a variety of verbs to liven up sentences. Not sure what the big deal is.[/quote]
No. I don't cram or stuff crisps anything else. The language is part of an attitude on Mumsnet that nobody should actually enjoy food, that it's a failing. The words are horrible. They don't 'liven up' sentences but rather display a critical attitude to people enjoying eating. I get the point that moving masks is not ideal, but the extreme judgement of any public eating at all at any time (displayed by some posters on this thread) is very 19th century.

annabel85 · 01/07/2020 21:00

but the extreme judgement of any public eating at all at any time (displayed by some posters on this thread) is very 19th century

It should be banned on public transport at the minute (compulsory masks is a clue). It's unacceptable to be sitting there eating crisps on your morning commute in the current climate. I think it's bad manners at the best of times on a busy train or bus.

If you're in the open air (still in public) or obviously an eating establishment then eat what you want.

Original poster
likeacrow · 01/07/2020 21:17

@cardibach
Jesus. I LOVE food. I like cramming crisps in! I have zero shame about eating in public or any problem with others doing it! I just think wearing a mask then moving it to snack is utterly ridiculous. You are reading way too much into me saying "cram", which was supposed to illustrate the furtive nature of eating whilst 'wearing' a mask.

OP posts:
GreyGardens88 · 01/07/2020 21:23

@NewModelArmyMayhem18

DC and I went on a bus for the one and only time so far since lockdown t'other week. We travelled on three buses in total and on each one there was some 'I dare you to say something' teen not wearing one. Had I been on my own, I would have talked to them but my DC would have been mortified had I done so in their presence. I was very surprised though that the bus drivers didn't just refuse to let them on. It has put off me using public transport again it has to be said.
Well you're just as bad as them if you're using public transport unnecessarily
Xenia · 01/07/2020 21:26

I am against face masks but obviously would obey the law. The law is very narrow - if they cause you extreme distress you do not need to wear one and the regulations specifically give everyone the right to take it off to eat and drink where necessary.

Also if you challenge someone not wearing one then be prepared for the fact they probably do not have to - all kinds of reasons justify not wearing one thank goodness.

PumpkinP · 01/07/2020 21:27

Can’t believe people complaining about someone eating crisps, where I am it’s chicken and chips and kebabs Shock

HeresMe · 01/07/2020 21:29

I found the best way during this crisis is make sure you are doing as you should and try not to worry what anyone else is doing.

Original poster
likeacrow · 01/07/2020 21:50

@HeresMe

I found the best way during this crisis is make sure you are doing as you should and try not to worry what anyone else is doing.
I wish I could be like that. It's definitely the best way to be and would be much better for my anxiety levels! I just can't help getting wound up.
OP posts:
EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 01/07/2020 21:53

My biggest laugh was watching two women in the park, pulling their masks down to share drags on a cigarette Confused

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 01/07/2020 22:10

@GreyGardens88 Why the need to be so vile. We are a car-free family. We needed to be somewhere how else were we supposed to do it?

annabel85 · 02/07/2020 06:29

Cycle or walk if you can

araiwa · 02/07/2020 06:42

This is why its no surprise the uk is a basket case

DisobedientHamster · 02/07/2020 16:56

Cycle or walk if you can

Someone always comes up with virtue signalling crap like this, especially and usually from someone who refers to anyone eating as 'stuffing their face'. Hmm

People usually use public transport out of necessity, not for shits and giggles.

Although personally, I hop in my car when I can rather than use public transport, but would rather be next to someone eating crisps than some judgy pearl-clutchers.

annabel85 · 02/07/2020 17:00

@DisobedientHamster

Cycle or walk if you can

Someone always comes up with virtue signalling crap like this, especially and usually from someone who refers to anyone eating as 'stuffing their face'. Hmm

People usually use public transport out of necessity, not for shits and giggles.

Although personally, I hop in my car when I can rather than use public transport, but would rather be next to someone eating crisps than some judgy pearl-clutchers.

'If you can' being the operative phrase.

I wouldn't go on public transport at the moment but i'm able to cycle if I need to go to the office. Obviously if you've got a long commute then you're only alternative is the car and not everyone has the mobility to walk/cycle far.

Original poster
likeacrow · 02/07/2020 21:56

@DisobedientHamster Well if we're going to get silly about it, I'd rather not be sitting near someone who regurgitates cringeworthy phrases such as "judgy pearl-clutcher" that no one uses in real life ever, but each to their own.
I use the bus because I can't cycle or walk with my 3 year old plus shopping and can't drive. I reserve the right to use the word "cram" to describe the way a person eats crisps with a face mask half on, half off. So that doesn't really fit with the theory about virtue signallers being the same people who describe others as stuffing their faces.

OP posts:
DisobedientHamster · 02/07/2020 22:01

Oh, of course, NO ever uses a term you disagree in real life Hmm. Funny that, I've never met someone in real life who can't describe eating without making it out to be a disgusting process. But by all means crack on, seeing as that I don't exist in real life, apparently (I don't use public transport, either).

dancinguser · 02/07/2020 22:03

My train journey home had three women in my carriage, one with a mask on her chin and two with no masks. All somehow managed to sit in seats with red X's and half way through started eating fried chicken. Some people just don't care.

Original poster
likeacrow · 02/07/2020 22:20

@DisobedientHamster

Oh, of course, NO ever uses a term you disagree in real life Hmm. Funny that, I've never met someone in real life who can't describe eating without making it out to be a disgusting process. But by all means crack on, seeing as that I don't exist in real life, apparently (I don't use public transport, either).
I certainly can describe eating without making it sound disgusting. I love food and I enjoy eating. I was making one specific point about eating with a face mask half on, half off, and used an appropriate verb. If you use the phrase "judgy pearl-clutcher" outside of mumsnet when conversing in real life I'd be surprised, I wasn't doubting that you exist as a person. But cool, crack on yourself. Smile
OP posts:
annabel85 · 03/07/2020 10:22

@dancinguser

My train journey home had three women in my carriage, one with a mask on her chin and two with no masks. All somehow managed to sit in seats with red X's and half way through started eating fried chicken. Some people just don't care.
What's wrong with people? So many in this country are so selfish and self absorbed.
NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 03/07/2020 10:24

I think there's a lot of 'sticking two fingers up to Authority' going in the UK. Some people seem to wear the attitude as a badge of pride.