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

[SundayCherry]

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?

If the smell is so bad can no other passengers detect it?
It's a very long time since I travelled on a train for several hours but why is there not a way of summoning a guard or attendant? If a passenger fell ill a guard would be available.

Failing that if it was me I would keep poking her and shouting that her feet stink.

It's for this reason I always keep a can of cheap Impulse in my handbag.

Well, it's actually for smelly public loos, but it would have come in handy on your train. Highly recommend.

Yes - last time I was on a plane, unbeknown to me, a guy behind took off his shoes and there was the most horrendous smell. I didn't know it was his feet and was banging on about that smell of cheesy wotsits just not going away, who is still eating them? etc... It lasted from Manchester to Alicante and no, unlike a PP says, you do not get used to the smell! 😫

Ugh, some people have no self-awareness.

Last time DH and I were at the theatre, the man behind us kept silently burping and it smelled like Pepperami and Irn Bru. He went off to get a beer at intermission and continued to burp throughout the second part. Another wave of stink came from behind me and, before I could stop myself, I snapped "oh, for fuck's sake" and covered my nose.

Being charitable, he may have had a medical condition (I get it - I have IBS) but come on, try to help yourself a little bit. Whatever he ate for dinner stank and that extra pint certainly wasn't the answer. Buy some Rennies, man.

I’m going to wear a haz mat suit. Didn’t realise trains got this bad🤢

THIS.

Shove her feet. HARD.

Then have google translate on your phone and flash it at her if she rants.

She understands. She's just rude. Be rude back.

"Hello, police? I'd like to report criminally cheesy feet."

Yes, very sensible suggestion.

I've just been on a bus with one old lady eating a smelly sausage roll or something and another listening to loud music on her phone! People don't give a shit these days do they!

SPRAY HER FEET.

I DARE YOU.

Have you got a bottle if Impulse or something you could spray over her feet shoes ?

They’re there to also help with anti social behaviour.

And this is definitely anti social behaviour.

To be fair, I'd kind of expect something like that on a flight from Manchester to Alicante!!

I do

Revolting 🤮
I'd be in real trouble as I have such a strong reaction to smells -I'd be heaving. I'd have to go and stand elsewhere for most of the journey if there were no other seats and she wouldn't put her shoes on. Hopefully someone will come round soon and tell her to put her shoes on. If not I'd be asking around for a mask/spray.

You made the mistake of not carrying a pomander

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/833034-to-carry-a-pomander-when-travelling-by-public-transport.

I would spray the air conspicuously with something, if that didn’t get her attention, call the guard again and say you think a fox has died or shat on the train, last resort, fart on her and make an announcement that at last, she smells better now

Or start heaving loudly with the threat if puking in her lap

And if she’s asleep, stack the shoes and various other things like empty coke cans on on her head till she wakes up.

take your own shoes off and balance a sock over her eyes as a sleep mask.

This is disgusting! Personally I'd be waking her up and finding a way to explain that the shoes need to go on! Failing this, I'd consider getting a bottle of water and 'accidentally' spilling some periodically on her feet! May make her put them back in her protective shoes. Nobody should be placing their bare feet on public seats, that is just gross! If water doesn't work, try using hot tea!

@SundayCherry are you nearly there yet!?

Yeah, you know "see it, say it, sort it" or whatever. Tell them you can smell it too.

Take off your shoes as well and put your bare feet at the side of your seat that is closest to her face. Then start making fart sounds and puke sounds interchangeably until she wakes up. I dare you.

Get some water - a cup from the toilets - & pour it over her feet.

Irrespective of language that should get the message over.

If it doesn’t work start twerking from your seat with your bum facing her closely while you make farting sounds

You are being extremely polite in the circumstances.

I would be have a very loud conversation with her "Can you please put your shoes on now as it's unfair to have that smell impacting other passengers?" On repeat every 5 minutes.

I would also take a picture of said feet and tweet it taking the train company - "Can anyone get staff to carriage 4, this smell is impacting other passengers?" I would ring the helpline too.

You deserve a refund for having to endure that. Some people are just unbelievably self centered.