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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Train picnic etiquette...masks

137 replies

Justcannotbearsed · 10/12/2021 13:42

Just bought a train picnic for a 2 hour train journey. Not crowded train. Whats the etiquette or do I just need to starve.

Yabu.... starve
Yanbu .... fill your boots.

OP posts:

BigWoollyJumpers · 10/12/2021 14:47

As long as it is not smelly, you don't masticate with your mouth open, or make inappropriate eating noises, don't drop half of it on the floor, or leave it all over the seat and the table, and you don't burp or fart after. Fine.

Honestly, I wish eating on public transport, theatres or cinema's was not allowed...... but there you go. I must be very sensitive.

HalfTermHalfTerm · 10/12/2021 14:47

Still loads of people not wearing masks at all on trains so it’s a non issue really .....let OP enjoy her lunch.... at least she plans on putting her mask back on

Multiple wrongs don’t make a right though.

And yes it is frustrating that many people don’t bother to wear masks on trains, but some of those people will be medically exempt from wearing one. I get a lot more frustrating at people removing their masks for 30 minutes to eat a sharing bag of wotsits (happened last week) than I do at people who don’t wear one at all as I don’t know the reason for them not wearing one.

TheSoapyFrog · 10/12/2021 14:49

Make friends with the person who has the rotisserie chicken.
I hope you have more than one mini bottle because that won't see you through a 2 hour journey.

Fizbosshoes · 10/12/2021 14:49

Pre covid I might eat a cereal bar or chocolate bar on the train but covid has stopped my train snacking (admittedly I have a fairly short commute 40 min so its not really a hardship)
Twice (pre covid) i had the misfortune to sit next to a guy who ate an enormous trough bowl of cereal whilst on the train to work. (It was a china bowl, possibly a small sink) After he had finished he spent at least 20 min with a selection of teepee brushes, flossing/brushing his teeth... < not envy

crystal1717 · 10/12/2021 14:54

Pp who have train picnics are disgusting. (Lighthearted)
Stinky egg sandwiches 🤮

TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 10/12/2021 14:58

I was in a tiny coffee shop last week as soon as we sat down we removed our masks to drink our drinks and eat cake. Everybody around us no masks on either - isnt this worse?

Dollywilde · 10/12/2021 14:59

A train picnic is absolutely not unreasonable and frankly the people splitting hairs between an (essential) sandwich versus a (non-essential) glass of wine and bit of cheese and bread look a bit silly. If the mask's off, it's off.

I've been taking my mask off to have my morning tea on the train, but if there's anyone within a few feet of me (ie. in any of the neighbouring seats) I'll put it on. Frankly if the window is open and I'm not within 2 meters of anyone why not. Girl's got to eat and a nice little Friday afternoon drink on a quiet train is really quite low down in covid violations imo.

Leftbutcameback · 10/12/2021 15:11

We always have train beers on the way to away matches (Although I usually have a pre-mix cocktail!) Part of a cracking away day

Libertynan · 10/12/2021 15:11

@TurnUpTurnip

So you can just avoid wearing a mask by eating and drinking then? Is this just trains or buses as well?

And planes

Joystir59 · 10/12/2021 15:11

Far as I'm concerned we are all always following all the guidelines (regardless if the truth). Crack on. Im travelling by train to London next Sat and really fancy some 'journey juice'

JauntyJinty · 10/12/2021 15:19

What’s a train picnic?

You get a baguette then use scotch eggs and tomatoes as wheels, add a sausage roll for the drivers cab and continue to decorate until it looks like a locomotive

AmyDudley · 10/12/2021 15:21

I think people are allowed to eat in public places that serve food, I take my mask off to eat in public.
If you are hungry then eat. Is it one of those big long baguettes and a block of cheese ? (If it is - I like your style).

at folk pretending they don't know what a train picnic is - which of the words has thrown you into confusion - train or picnic? 'Ooh what's a train picnic - I wonder if it's a three course silver service meal that you eat on a boat' ?

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 10/12/2021 15:22

Urgh the sounds and smells of people munching and crunching on a train is vile. Why not have a meal before you set off; and one when you get to where you are going?

helpadvicewhateverneeded · 10/12/2021 15:26

As a tired pregnant lady with a toddler who no longer gets to travel for fun this sounds like the absolute dream!!!!

Bettybantz · 10/12/2021 15:28

Just done the same. First time we’ve left town in ages and maybe the last in a while. Masks were off, Prosecco open.
Enjoy!!

Gonnagetgoing · 10/12/2021 15:33

Eat and drink fine but if for prolonged periods your mask is off and you're not eating/drinking it'd be polite to keep off then, especially if a long train journey.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 10/12/2021 15:35

No-one is going to starve to death during a two-hour train journey... have a bit of respect for your fellow travellers.

pinkappleorpineapple · 10/12/2021 15:35

@Sprig1

So long as it isn't stinky food crack on.

Just about t say this, nothing too pungent. Don't get me started on people eating McDonald's or similar on trains, I don't want that smell to cling to my clothes.

I wouldn't care that you took your mask off to eat, have had to travel by plane or train quite a few times for work and there are always people eating. Not usually me though I do drink when I need to.

WorraLiberty · 10/12/2021 15:35

@Justcannotbearsed

Sausage rolls, salad, crisps, small bottle of wine, baguette, cheese…

In retrospect a sandwich would have been easier. Though someone else has just got on with a rotisserie chicken…

Where are you travelling to?

Clearly not Nuneaton 😂

misssunshine4040 · 10/12/2021 15:36

@Disfordarkchocolate you didnt have to wear a mask in England on the trains in Summer though

CharityDingle · 10/12/2021 15:38

@JauntyJinty

What’s a train picnic?

You get a baguette then use scotch eggs and tomatoes as wheels, add a sausage roll for the drivers cab and continue to decorate until it looks like a locomotive

RichardMarxisinnocent · 10/12/2021 15:39

@GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

Urgh the sounds and smells of people munching and crunching on a train is vile. Why not have a meal before you set off; and one when you get to where you are going?

Because I often catch a train in the evening straight after work and it takes about 3 hours to get to my destination. I can't have a meal at work before I leave (and even if I was able to I wouldn't be hungry at that time anyway). I arrive at my destination at just before 9pm, which is rather late to eat a meal (plus I'd be ravenous by then).

I also sometimes go on almost 6hr train journeys. I have breakfast, head to the station then am travelling from about 10am to 4pm - am I expected to go without food from breakfast time until after 4pm?

WhatATimeToBeAlive · 10/12/2021 15:44

So it's lunch, not a "train picnic".

girlmom21 · 10/12/2021 15:47

@WhatATimeToBeAlive

So it's lunch, not a "train picnic".

If you take a picnic to the park do you insist on every calling it lunch?

girlmom21 · 10/12/2021 15:47

everyone!

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