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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell you about my awkward train encounter 5 mins ago?

242 replies

SundayCherry · 02/10/2023 10:28

On a very long train up to Scotland. 4 hour journey, I’m 40 mins in and all seats are taken- everyone in their ticketed seat. I’m sat there with my book and a coffee when the lady sat next to me took off her shoes (bare feet). Well I feel mean but the smell is horrendous. A real sweaty cheesy feet smell that’s so strong. I dealt with it for about half an hour but it’s so difficult and distracting.

So I decided to buck up the courage (im not very confrontational) and ask the lady if she would kindly mind putting her shoes back on and as she speaks another language she basically said she couldn’t understand me despite me pointing at the shoes- she now has her eyes shut trying to sleep (shoes still off and against the seat of the chair in front)

I really can’t bear to put up with the smell for another 3 hours but there’s no seats to move to! There’s also lots of stops and I want to get comfy and not have to move seat about ten times when people come from other stops.

What should I do?

OP posts:
grumpymole · 02/10/2023 10:31

Waft your hands around and pretend to puke, point at her feet whilst doing it!

Knitgoodwoman · 02/10/2023 10:33

If you can’t work out the language she’s speaking then show her a map of the world on your phone to work out where the language is spoken… then use google translate with whatever language that is!!! That’s bloody disgusting.
A bloke sat next to me with BO on the train last week, I tried to eat my lunch and had to give up as it was making me retch.
Don’t suffer in silence.

Knitgoodwoman · 02/10/2023 10:33

@grumpymole that’s quicker than my way 😂

Sapphire387 · 02/10/2023 10:33

Call the guard 😂

Say you can't cope and angle for an upgrade to first class.

Fulshaw · 02/10/2023 10:34

Do you have anything fragrant you can dab under your nostrils? Lip balm, perfume, hand sanitizer?

W0tnow · 02/10/2023 10:35

She understands you perfectly. She just doesn’t want to put her shoes on and is relying on your desire not to be confrontational.

Thehonestbadger · 02/10/2023 10:36

W0tnow · 02/10/2023 10:35

She understands you perfectly. She just doesn’t want to put her shoes on and is relying on your desire not to be confrontational.

This ^

abigailsnan · 02/10/2023 10:36

Yes call the guard get he/she to get it sorted ask him to put her in the mail carriage 😷

Afterschoolrun · 02/10/2023 10:37

W0tnow · 02/10/2023 10:35

She understands you perfectly. She just doesn’t want to put her shoes on and is relying on your desire not to be confrontational.

This! Wake her up, keep poking her until she acknowledges you! What a disgusting person.

Afterschoolrun · 02/10/2023 10:37

Genuine question. How do you 'call the guard' on the train?!

44PumpLane · 02/10/2023 10:38

I agree with others, she understands you perfectly well. Make her as uncomfortable as she making you by prodding her awake, mime pinching your nose and wafting under your nose with a disgusted look on your face whilst then pointing at her feet......she knows.....she doesn't want to put her shoes on but she should....that's grim!

Original poster
SundayCherry · 02/10/2023 10:40

I’ve escaped to the toilet for a 5 second break from the smell!

I haven’t seen a member of staff in the last hour- I could go find one but I’m guessing she will just pretend to be asleep or take them off again.

OP posts:
PercytheParkKeepershedgehog · 02/10/2023 10:41

Have you got any covid masks in your bag? It’ll help reduce the smell if you can wear one.

OstrichInPink · 02/10/2023 10:42

Take some loo roll and dampen it with soap, start dabbing at her feet and hope she'll carry on.

Or stick a blob of soap up each nostril.

Sapphire387 · 02/10/2023 10:42

Afterschoolrun · 02/10/2023 10:37

Genuine question. How do you 'call the guard' on the train?!

Ha - yeah. I meant as they pass through.

SisterMichaelsHabit · 02/10/2023 10:43

Afterschoolrun · 02/10/2023 10:37

Genuine question. How do you 'call the guard' on the train?!

I think you build a time machine and go back to the 1950s.

OstrichInPink · 02/10/2023 10:43

If there's a buffet carriage spill some red wine on her feet then pour white win3 on so it doesn't stain, by the end of that the smell will have gone - or it'll be cheese and wine.

Stripeypyjamas · 02/10/2023 10:45

SisterMichaelsHabit · 02/10/2023 10:43

I think you build a time machine and go back to the 1950s.

Show quote history

Pretty sure you need to be wearing red bloomers, take them off, attach to a stick and wave them madly while holding onto your straw hat so it doesn't blow away in the wind.

Afterschoolrun · 02/10/2023 10:45

OstrichInPink · 02/10/2023 10:43

If there's a buffet carriage spill some red wine on her feet then pour white win3 on so it doesn't stain, by the end of that the smell will have gone - or it'll be cheese and wine.

🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮

MuffinWalloper · 02/10/2023 10:47

I'd be fantasising about texting the Transport Police about a chemical hazard.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 02/10/2023 10:47

I agree she understands and is ignoring you.

You could try taking your own shoe off and hitting her with it and point at her then point at your foot while putting your shoe back on. Then point at her, then at her feet and shoes. And stare expectantly.

If she ignores that, then point insistently at her feet and hold your nose. If you're brave enough.

delphi13 · 02/10/2023 10:51

Draw her a picture of a nose with some wavy lines going towards it. Draw some feet underneath it. Draw another picture with shoes with an arrow pointing to feet. And then a pair of praying hands.
If she still doesn't react, point at her feet, waft your hand under your nose and pretend to wretch.
Failing all that pick her shoes up and stick them on her stinky trotters.

Octobermeterreadtime · 02/10/2023 10:52

Do you not carry deodorant? I would have sprayed her feet by now.

PortalooSunset · 02/10/2023 11:13

I always have a Vicks inhaler in my pocket in case of exposure to the great unwashed. Appreciate that doesn't help at this time but tip for the future maybe.

Agree she knows perfectly well what you're getting at.

Accost train staff when you next see them and request a move. Keep them talking for long enough that they understand what you're dealing with!

twilightcafe · 02/10/2023 11:17

Tweet the train company. Say which train you're in and that there is no conductor to be seen. Public shaming about a lack of staff usually prods them into action.