Eating on Trains

[likepebblesonabeach]

I travel on the train daily to work, 30 mins each way. I've just came back from a 3 hour train journey and was shocked that a family of 4 got on with fish and chips. The whole carriage was stinking of fish and chips and the majority of passengers were on the train the whole journey so had to put up with this for 3 hours.
AIBU that if you travel on public transport you should be aware of those around you?

Public transport is unfortunately one of those things where it’s going to be dirty and smelly whether that’s dogs or stinky food. I just wish they’d make seats plastic and not that material that probably contains every type of bacteria and bodily fluid known to man 🤢

I follow someone on IG who travels a lot and proudly posts pictures of their traditional stinky egg sandwiches on train journies it’s obviously a thing

Curry for breakfast is awesome. I wouldn’t take it on a train because I couldn’t keep it warm enough and I’m too uncoordinated to eat runny food on the move, but as a concept? Love it.

My biggest issue with people eating on trains is that the smell makes me feel hungry! Other than that, I have no issues with it. People, including families, travelling long distances over meal times need to eat. I don't see the problem.

Unless it was extreme such as garlicky curry or really strong smelling fish or eggs it really wouldn't bother me. I wouldn't care about fish and chips or Macdonalds or 'hot food' as a general category. They have McDs in stations so I assume this is fairly common...especially after a night out.

@Mnetcurious lots of people have strong savoury foods for breakfast.

You don't travel much I assume?

No let's board the public transport and make everyone else my follow my rules - makes sense eh

Or alternatively, 'Let's board the public transport and exercise some give and take with my fellow passengers.'

It's not an either/or situation.

There was nobody eating near to me in first class, and there was aircon. The train was really crowded and hot, and everyone was eating… lots of crisps near me. It just became too much.

I’m not great with eating noises, but I’m not usually cheek by jowl with someone munching crisps or apples either.

Sorry- I’ve replied to the wrong post 🤦‍♀️.

First class trains I have been on they provide free snacks. So someone is always eating.

Pate absolutely stinks in my opinion

People are selfish. I was sitting near a world revolves round me so I don't consider others woman on the train who was PAINTING HER NAILS. Who the hell does that in public? The stench of the chemically solvent in a closed train carriage was horrendous. A little boy behind was complaining to his mum he had a headache.

Plus if the train gives an almight jerk or stops suddenly which sometimes happens it almost certainly would have gone everywhere as the bottle slid and tipped on the table.

Well if I were sitting immediately next to a complete stranger and pulling out a sandwich and munching on it, I would feel very awkward. I guess this is why some people eat on trains and others don't. And others go the whole way and bring a full on hot meal. We're all different!

I completely agree about the seats. I've always wondered why they're made of fabric that just absorbs sweat and dirt. Surely you'd choose a more cleanable material on public transport.

If it’s noisy, smelly or makes a mess you shouldn’t be eating it out of courtesy to others.
What’s wrong with a sandwich if you can’t wait until your destination to eat?

Wholly unacceptable. Nothing that wouldn’t be part of a meal deal should be the rule.

I relish the smell of food on public transport as it covers the smell of people.

How would you feel about a stranger next to you on a train reading a sandwich?

That would depend on who the sandwich is by.

The train SELLS hot food
And some places have hot food in a meal deal
And meal deals definitely include tuna or egg sandwiches....

I don’t mind it but I can understand why some do. I personally don’t eat any more than a chocolate bar and a coffee on trains. Public transport is just generally a bit grimy in this country. Dogs on seats, feet on seats, food rubbish left everywhere.

Good point. I used to live in Seoul and I’m fairly sure the seats were either something like plastic or leather but not fabric. Even on the new Elizabeth line in London I think they’ve used fabric seats.

Are you discobeat? Or do you also feel awkward eating a sandwich next to a stranger?

I get that we are different. I just don’t see why that would feel awkward to anyone. Eating is perfectly normal. How do you manage on planes?

Even if you were on the train for 8hrs, covering two meal times?

I think you need to reread your post to get the joke.