People now wanting 2 seats to themselves on public transport

[Highheelprincessnextdoor]

I’m genuinely confused about what I’m meant to do as a person who uses both trains and buses daily. I work a 10 hour shift and on my way home my whole body hurts and I would love to be able to have a seat for my journey home which takes me 1.5 hours (bus & train) but it seems that no one wants to let you be because they all want a gap in the chairs. In the last month I will list below the things I have seen.

I get on and a woman puts her arm out to stop me, telling me not to sit next to her and to go somewhere else and physically blocked the seat so I couldn’t even get near it. It was so embarrassing so I just walked off. The next day two men were fighting because one tried to sit down and the other didn’t want him sitting next to him so shoved him away... which spilled his coffee everywhere. They tried to fight with each other but eventually the man moved away. And today is the best one.... one woman taking up 4 chairs with her legs spread out!! I can’t even make this up. How are these people so selfish?? The other people are the ones who leave their handbag on the next chair when there are people forced to stand up. Like your bag is so precious that it needs it’s own chair!

Im now scared to sit down for fear that someone will tell me I'm not allowed. People sit down next to me every journey and I say nothing. Is it because of social distance? Because even with a gap in chairs we aren’t a good distance apart and are all breathing each other’s germs anyway. If the government want people to follow this social distance rule then they should put no entry tape on every other chair again like they used to. I have had times where I’m literally going to pass out from being in pain and had to stand up for the whole journey. What’s everyone else doing? Sitting or no sitting?

Don't ask. Tell them "you can't have all of these seats, move your bag" . It would be nice if transport staff didn't have to be so petrified of violence that they would intervene with these entitled arseholes though

I agree. Had this on the train a few weeks ago. There was a lot of passive aggressive comments from the people I sat with, but as a pregnant and disabled person, I can't stand for an hour long journey and i highly doubt they paid for the additional 3 seats in the section they wanted to commandeer.

And no I don't think they cared much about Social distancing given they weren't wearing masks.

I think people can be quite entitled, I will probably pay for first class if I need to get a train again at a time that may be busy to avoid it again... maybe that'll guarantee a seat...and some space minus PA comments

Are you quite new to commuting OP? I can't tell you how many times I have seen people sit nearly sit on other passengers bags whilst breezily saying "excuse me!" as they sit.

@simpledeer

Are you quite new to commuting OP? I can't tell you how many times I have seen people sit nearly sit on other passengers bags whilst breezily saying "excuse me!" as they sit.

I'm one of those people ... when seats were "distanced" and/or limited on buses (remember 30 maximum on buses in early days?) I'd smile, say thank you and sit down then ignore any tutting. 🌹

I really don't want to sit next to anyone not wearing a mask now. I was not pleased recently when someone sat next to me without wearing one on the underground.

I'm not convinced they are necessarily exempt. People need to start wearing a lanyard if this is the case

When I travelled for large parts of last year, the trains were very empty and it was easy to find a seat/row/half a carriage to yourself.

However more people started going to work and it started filling up. At first I did feel nervous of someone sitting next to me but I got up and moved or stood up if someone sat next to me.
Then , presumably because fewer people were travelling on a regular basis they cut the service and its impossible (at regular work times) to get a seat to yourself.

I sit on things that are on the chair. Bags, hands, I really don't care.

I also really don't care if I get punched for it, which helps my air of determination. As does an utter lack of social shame.

Sit down OP! They can stand up themselves if they want space.

Even in non-Covid times there are always the entitled who think their bag deserves a seat. I don't even ask as I can't be bothered entering into a discussion with someone who thinks their bag is more important than a human being. I simply pick it up and move it to the floor, then sit down.

@woodhill

I really don't want to sit next to anyone not wearing a mask now. I was not pleased recently when someone sat next to me without wearing one on the underground.

I'm not convinced they are necessarily exempt. People need to start wearing a lanyard if this is the case

Because people who are exempt are the only ones able to purchase lanyards?

I put my bad on the seat next to me but would move it if asked by someone wearing a mask. If they weren’t wearing one I would ask them if they would mind putting one on. If they said no I would move and stand rather than sit next to an unmasked person.
We need work from home if you can back now it’s all getting bad again. That empties the trains.

I never like anyone sitting near me on the bus😂 especially as I have big thighs and people always sit on my thighs as they spill over lol.
Fighting over a seat is so ridiculous tho, I wouldn't even expect that here in South London

@MrsTerryPratchett

If they're exempt they're welcome to sit too. Who made you the arbiter of who's exempt?

In my well conducted study of TFL users, the largest group of 'exempt' are young, fit-looking, white men. It seems privilege and exempt status are closely linked. Who knew?

Exactly. I was on a GWR train when I typed my earlier comment I did a quick count in my carriage and 11 people not wearing masks and they were all male and in their 20s and 30s.

So either the UK has a spectacularly unhealthy generation of men, or they are abusing the system and putting us all at risk. So no, I don't want them sitting beside me. And I don't feel the need to apologise for that.

When I travel, I get on a train from the south coast. You generally need to start sharing from three bridges onwards. If I’ve zoned out and I’ve left my bag on another seat. I will always move it when asked. It would be rude not to. Most times I automatically move into one seat.

But I’ve not travel since COVID and I’ve not had to experience the stress of being on public transport.

@LegoPandemic

I put my bad on the seat next to me but would move it if asked by someone wearing a mask. If they weren’t wearing one I would ask them if they would mind putting one on. If they said no I would move and stand rather than sit next to an unmasked person. We need work from home if you can back now it’s all getting bad again. That empties the trains.

OP doesn't actually mention masks at all, so leaving that issue aside why do you think your bag is entitled to a seat? Did you purchase an extra seat for it? Why make people ask, just put your bag on the floor or overhead, or keep it on your lap – plenty of options which don't inconvenience your fellow travellers.

@user1493494961

I've seen people sit on a bag before now, it was soon moved.

I've done this. I'll ask nicely and if they grunt and don't move it I just sit on it.

If someone says, no your not sitting there OR go and sit somewhere else, I just don’t know how to word my response. I suppose I would politely ask why? Then assuming they say because of covid or social distancing I wouldn’t even know how to respond. Other passengers would think that I don’t care about covid. Or that I am selfish for trying to sit down there next to someone but of course it’s not always that simple as many of us have pointed out. I wish they would run more frequent services so that the bus and train isn’t so full up. I just don’t want to get into an argument mid train ride 😂😞

As for just sitting down anyway, like on their bag... what if they say you’ve damaged their property etc..? some people can be quite aggressive in London

I never used to do it pre Covid though, it’s now I prefer that distance.
Fortunately the trains I get are rarely so full that this is a problem.

I'm not convinced they are necessarily exempt. People need to start wearing a lanyard if this is the case

1. No one has to signify their health condition or whatever it is to anyone.
2. There isn't a mask exemption lanyard.

@Yerroblemom1923

Surely your ticket ensures you a seat?! I'd suggest taking it up with the driver but I'm guessing it's not their problem/, they're not paid enough for the confrontation etc etc. I don't know the answer. I can't believe people can be so rude or unkind as to not let a fellow passenger sit down. I feel for you OP, and I'd happily let you sit next to me! We're all masked up and double- jabbed so no reason not to.

Commuting in London - a ticket doesn't even guarantee you can get on the train! it's grim!

Also I always put my bag on the floor in between my feet. Never thought to put it on an empty chair... where someone who really needs it would then be forced to stand. Im guessing they do it on purpose, they know exactly what they are doing and don’t care. They sit there acting oblivious as if they aren’t aware, but they totally are.

@Highheelprincessnextdoor

As for just sitting down anyway, like on their bag... what if they say you’ve damaged their property etc..? some people can be quite aggressive in London

Smile politely and play dumb.. oh did I sit on it soooo sorry I did ask and didn't check you'd moved it silly me.

Oh and don't do it if they look like they might be angry already/the stabbing type. I mostly pick those in suits.

I think it must help when you are a huge woc as I’ve not experienced this at all over the last 2 years not even during my recent London trips. On public transport you absolutely have to be prepared to be vocal and enforce the rules and complain where needed - if you’re just going to let people walk all over you then frankly you deserve it.

If they're exempt they're welcome to sit too. Who made you the arbiter of who's exempt?

I would get up and move if anyone, exempt or not, sat down next to me without a mask. But wouldn't expect anyone not to sit, it's my issue.

@Highheelprincessnextdoor

If someone says, no your not sitting there OR go and sit somewhere else, I just don’t know how to word my response. I suppose I would politely ask why? Then assuming they say because of covid or social distancing I wouldn’t even know how to respond. Other passengers would think that I don’t care about covid. Or that I am selfish for trying to sit down there next to someone but of course it’s not always that simple as many of us have pointed out. I wish they would run more frequent services so that the bus and train isn’t so full up. I just don’t want to get into an argument mid train ride 😂😞

That’s your problem.

You aren’t asking permission. They do not get to dictate where on the train the other passengers sit. They say no, you ignore them and sit down, or say “move your arm” and sit down, or any other combination of not apologising and sitting down.