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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:
Mellowautumnmists · 02/10/2023 12:47

Lol @Maireas & @Alargeoneplease89 it was a very long flight and I was quite desperate. Each to their own 😂😂

Kissmas · 02/10/2023 12:51

"I had this on a plane once and sprayed all around me with Chanel Number 5 that I had in my flight bag..... everyone clapped. Have you any perfume spray on you?"

Ugh, no they didn't. So rude spraying stinking perfume on a plane.

OP just go and find the train manager and ask for either one of you to be moved.

weirdoboelady · 02/10/2023 12:53

grumpymole · 02/10/2023 10:31

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

Or do it for real (the smell of vomit is probably better than the smell of feet)

HateMyRubbishBoss · 02/10/2023 12:54

Is she still sleeping??

JoanOgden · 02/10/2023 12:59

Start retching as if you are about to puke on her feet.

AnneElliott · 02/10/2023 13:01

Definitely agree with moving the shoes of you can bear it. It's likely to be them that smells the most.

MarilynBoo · 02/10/2023 13:04

The only way to get rid of her is to be even more gross. Basically, you need to have a 'gross off'. My advice is to break wind and whilst doing so, lift up the butt cheek nearest to her. And don't say a word.

Sigmama · 02/10/2023 13:05

Go and sit in first class until they sort it out

Catsfrontbum · 02/10/2023 13:05

I would not be as brave as to confront her!

I would go and sit in first class.

Original poster
SundayCherry · 02/10/2023 13:06

Hello all! Still sat next to cheesy feet lady and her shoes are still off. I went through the carriage to the toilet earlier but couldn’t spot any free seats for my whole journey (some for halfway) but would mean I’d have to keep getting up to move seat and couldn’t relax between stops.

I have however spoken to a train guard at the cafe bar who said she would send someone to ask the lady to put her shoes back on but that was 20 min ago and not seen a peep out of anyone since.

I’ve taken to spraying my own jumper with strong perfume and keeping it over my nose! The worse thing is she keeps rubbing the seat in front with her feet! Resting them on them! Absolute tramp!

OP posts:
Minfilia · 02/10/2023 13:06

Octobermeterreadtime · 02/10/2023 10:52

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

This! I would have sprayed under the seat the second she pretended not to couldn’t understand!

CherryMaDeara · 02/10/2023 13:07

Could you call British transport police? They might be able to get staff to come to you.

Call 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016* *for non-emergency enquiries.

CherryMaDeara · 02/10/2023 13:08

Hello all! Still sat next to cheesy feet lady and her shoes are still off. I went through the carriage to the toilet earlier but couldn’t spot any free seats for my whole journey (some for halfway) but would mean I’d have to keep getting up to move seat and couldn’t relax between stops.

I think I'd prefer to keep getting up.

Gettingbysomehow · 02/10/2023 13:09

Throw the shoes out of the train window then deny it was you. It won't make the situation better but it will serve her right.

CloudPop · 02/10/2023 13:09

Gettingbysomehow · 02/10/2023 13:09

Throw the shoes out of the train window then deny it was you. It won't make the situation better but it will serve her right.

lol

Bivarb · 02/10/2023 13:11

Gettingbysomehow · 02/10/2023 13:09

Throw the shoes out of the train window then deny it was you. It won't make the situation better but it will serve her right.

That is genius. If you don't throw them out the window I would consider hiding them somewhere. It would totally serve her right

RipsInJeans · 02/10/2023 13:12

SundayCherry · 02/10/2023 13:06

Hello all! Still sat next to cheesy feet lady and her shoes are still off. I went through the carriage to the toilet earlier but couldn’t spot any free seats for my whole journey (some for halfway) but would mean I’d have to keep getting up to move seat and couldn’t relax between stops.

I have however spoken to a train guard at the cafe bar who said she would send someone to ask the lady to put her shoes back on but that was 20 min ago and not seen a peep out of anyone since.

I’ve taken to spraying my own jumper with strong perfume and keeping it over my nose! The worse thing is she keeps rubbing the seat in front with her feet! Resting them on them! Absolute tramp!

Honestly, if you have spray, do what people have suggested and spray it at her feet/shoes. I know it feels uncomfortably rude, but she doesn't care about you/your feelings so why worry about hers?

jeaux90 · 02/10/2023 13:13

Have you worked out where she is from OP I think I'd be asking "SIRIx, what is your feet stink in xxx language" let Siri be the bad cop.

Sssudio · 02/10/2023 13:15

Just confront her!

GCAcademic · 02/10/2023 13:16

Alargeoneplease89 · 02/10/2023 12:45

I dont think a randoms cheesy feet is worthy

Show quote history

You're looking at this all wrong. The cheesy feet may not be worthy, but your nostrils definitely are.

MargotBamborough · 02/10/2023 13:17

SundayCherry · 02/10/2023 13:06

Hello all! Still sat next to cheesy feet lady and her shoes are still off. I went through the carriage to the toilet earlier but couldn’t spot any free seats for my whole journey (some for halfway) but would mean I’d have to keep getting up to move seat and couldn’t relax between stops.

I have however spoken to a train guard at the cafe bar who said she would send someone to ask the lady to put her shoes back on but that was 20 min ago and not seen a peep out of anyone since.

I’ve taken to spraying my own jumper with strong perfume and keeping it over my nose! The worse thing is she keeps rubbing the seat in front with her feet! Resting them on them! Absolute tramp!

Spray the perfume ON her feet! And make disgusted "Pooh! Smelly!" faces and noises.

Doesn't understand, my arse. 90% of communication is non verbal.

BodegaSushi · 02/10/2023 13:18

Spray her feet.

Mikimoto · 02/10/2023 13:22

No stilton or garlic in your handbag, either? You could have a quick munch!

Tinkerbyebye · 02/10/2023 13:22

Got any perfume? Spray it on the feet

seriously though get the conductor

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 02/10/2023 13:22

MargotBamborough · 02/10/2023 13:17

Spray the perfume ON her feet! And make disgusted "Pooh! Smelly!" faces and noises.

Doesn't understand, my arse. 90% of communication is non verbal.

Show quote history

Trust me, these people do understand, they just have the hide of a rhino.

Whenever I’ve briefly moved my feet in and out of eg peep toe sandals because it’s hot and feet might have swelled up and been uncomfortable etc then it’s been brief and discreet with no one else or hardly anyone else around, or and it’s been rare. It’s not a full on “put feet up, lie back and go to sleep” (or on the phone or chatting to her friend as the person I saw was doing).