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AIBU?

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Original poster

Was I a bus weirdo

109 replies

Buswonker · 12/02/2021 19:34

This was prior to lockdown

I got on the bus to work, it was full so I had no choice but to sit next to someone

3 stops later and half the bus get off at a popular area.

My stop is the next one so I don't bother moving and stay sat next to a stranger

She asked if I was planning on moving now the bus has emptied. I said I was getting off next and she mumbled something under her breath

Am I a weirdo to stay sat next to a stranger when the bus emptied? Would you immediately move to an empty seat?

I've been thinking about this for 18 months 😂

OP posts:
Stupidusernamefaff · 12/02/2021 22:22

Wow have I been going wrong for years?! I wouldn’t have moved. Surely that would be offensive?! I need a book on bus etiquette!

FossilisedFanny · 12/02/2021 22:23

It wouldn’t have occurred to me to move, I’m obviously not up to date with bus sitting etiquette!

Purpleberet · 12/02/2021 22:24

I'm always a little bit offended if people DO move! 😂
If someone said that to me, I probably would have said I wasn't planning on it and asked if they preferred me to move. But tbh if they were able to I don't know why they didn't just move 🤷‍♂️

12frogsincoats · 12/02/2021 22:44

Why didn't you move when she asked? You made a stranger uncomfortable. Yes, I think that is weird.

Happycat1212 · 12/02/2021 22:53

Wow have I been going wrong for years?! I wouldn’t have moved. Surely that would be offensive?! I need a book on bus etiquette!

Tbh most people would be hoping you moved, no one wants a stranger sat next to them trust me they won’t be wishing you don’t move😂

Jackie2022 · 13/02/2021 00:42

I don’t know where this “moving seats will offend the person” rhetoric has come from?

Under no circumstances would I be offended if someone moved from the seat adjacent to me and sat in an empty row instead. I know I don’t smell and that there’s nothing wrong with me, I don’t need a stranger sat next to me to affirm that.

Most people want to be sat alone with the seat next to them empty if they’re travelling alone. No one wants to sit with their bag/stuff on their lap; or fight over the arm-rest; or adjust their leg placement to accommodate someone else; or deal with smelly food/loud music/phone conversations from the passenger next to them. Space is a blessing.

Lalliella · 13/02/2021 00:52

DSis when she was about 18 and very shy got on a bus from the nearest town, there was one person on it - a woman who DSis thought she knew from our village so she sat next to her, only it wasn’t her and DSis was too mortified to move so travelled 8 miles on a bus just the two of them sat side by side in silence 😂🤣

Lalliella · 13/02/2021 00:54

Forgot to say, this was 30+ years ago and DSis still embarrassed!

SomewhereUpMyArse · 13/02/2021 01:01

Can I just drop in for those who don't use public transport atm that it's now very frowned upon to move from seat to seat due to possible contamination.

Also you can't sit next to anyone.

So rest easy op, the rules have already changed.

Happycat1212 · 13/02/2021 01:08

People aren’t meant to be sitting next to anyone on this bus now, there was an argument on the bus I was on not long ago because a man got on and sat next to a woman, she told him not to and he got annoyed and refused to me so she got up and went upstairs, then came down to get off the next stop, I really didn’t get why she didn’t just stand Confused

TaraR2020 · 13/02/2021 01:10

@Lynora

I wouldn't have moved for one stop.
This. I'm not sure I could have been bothered for one stop (depending on length of journey between stops)
PADH · 13/02/2021 01:21

I would be conflicted because it might look rude to jump up at the first opportunity to get away from her, as if she smelled bad or something?

Hawkins001 · 13/02/2021 01:41

Usually I prefer an empty seat next to me, although if there are seats that free up, I would slide to another seat.

HunkyPunk · 13/02/2021 02:23

Public transport etiquette is a bit of a minefield. I would be one of the conflicted ones. I do like my own space, and would want to move, but wouldn't want to appear rude by leaving at the first opportunity. So, I would either move seats and make a great show of placing all my belongings on the empty seat next to me, to demonstrate exactly why I'd moved or I would say something cheery to the person along the lines of "there's a bit more space to spread out, now!" as I vacated the seat. I'd still feel a bit awkward about it, though!

TaraR2020 · 13/02/2021 02:33

This is such a British thread Grin

namechange63524 · 13/02/2021 02:40

Wouldn't have crossed my mind to move, but I rarely get buses!

cherryolives · 13/02/2021 03:47

I would have moved immediately a seat was free.

Insertfunnyname · 13/02/2021 04:21

I’d have been really offended if the person next to me moved for one stop!! Yanbu

ExitChasedByABear · 13/02/2021 04:46

I’d have tossed a coin. Heads I move, tails I stay Grin

Just kidding! I probably would have stayed put for fear offending someone if it’s only for one stop. But if it was a longer journey, I would have moved only if it was an aisle seat and then worry if I offending them by moving. It’s more awkward having the window seat and then asking for the person to move a tad and then shift to an empty seat because now you’re verbalizing your wish to move Blush

Truthfully, I’d rather stand than sit next to a stranger. Then I’d be the weirdo with a seat close by but I’m standing and not sitting and then I’d be in a quandary about whether or not it’s now weird if I sit down when I didn’t sit before? Or is it worth sitting for just for a few more stops? Should I just stay standing and move the empty seat away from my eye line so it looks like I didn’t even notice it? It’s easier to do that on a crowded bus/train but not so easy when there are a handful of empty seats next to strangers and the bus/train isn’t crowded at all and so it is easy to get to those empty seats.

I guess I’m a bus/weird train weirdo too... 😅

namechangefail2020 · 13/02/2021 05:17

Us brits are weird really aren't we 😂

soundofsilence1 · 13/02/2021 05:33

If it is just one stop I think the etiquette is to put you things away and move to the seat nearest the door. This shows that you are moving becuase you are ready to disembark and not becuase you think your neighbour is smelly.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 13/02/2021 05:56

How rude was she! Sounds like she had a bad day and was crabby and wanted to take it out on someone.

ExitChasedByABear · 13/02/2021 18:24

@namechangefail2020

Us brits are weird really aren't we 😂
@namechangefail2020 Yes! I can almost imagine comedy sketches based on all the weird and awkward encounters that occur Smile
phoenixrosehere · 13/02/2021 19:11

I would move regardless if I’m getting off at the next stop or not..

If I’m getting off at the next stop, I’d get up anyway and head closer to the exit because why continue to sit there?

What if they need to get off at the next stop? Shouldn’t have to make them ask if there are other free seats about.

Hesma · 13/02/2021 19:30

Lol... it wouldn’t have occurred to me to move 😂

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