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?

This post seems to have a clear divide, those who would eat on trains but be mindful of those around them when choosing what to eat and those that would eat whatever they want, not considering those around them as long as they themselves were happy.
This insignificant little question that I asked seems to show the differences in society in general too.

Cold curry for breakfast is also awesome!

Oops!!! Yeah, hadn't spotted that. 😆

Thanks!

I once sat on a tiny train opposite someone who had bought a warm fish pie 🤮 cold food is fine to eat. Hot food is a no no.

I don’t think I’ve been on an 8 hour train journey! My longer train journeys are typically 2-5 hours and I’m fine just to grab something from Pret or M&S at Euston or wherever, then just have a snack immediately before or during my journey. If it was longer yeah I may well want something like a sandwich.

Funnily enough, the last time I travelled by train, fish pie was one of the menu options. I had the vegetable curry.

I'm not sure that it's ok to offer hot food to first class passengers but ban standard class passengers from having any.

Completely agree

No, and no. I'm also not familiar with the act of reading a sandwich, hence my interest.

Maybe reread the post I quoted.

Or maybe you could read the thread to see that someone else pointed out my error, and that I have already acknowledged it...

Such high drama and judgement of people eating on the train 🙄.

I'm not sure it's a definition of character really!

Such high drama and judgement of people eating on the train 🙄.

I'm not sure it's a definition of character really!

Of course it is if you are talking about intrusive smelly smells like fish & chips or McDonalds. Or as I mentiond above painting nails with a strong chemical smell.

A chocolate bar or a cheese sandwich is no big deal but selfishly doing anything that is for your own pleasure that actively upsets or interferes with other peoples space and the normal neutrality - especially in a confined and closed environment like a train -absolutely is about character - selfishness, decency and manners.

Most people would not consider McDonalds smelly....

And plenty of things can "actively upset" other people when other people think they are entitled to eg a completely silent carriage (when not in the quiet carriage) so glare at a group laughing together or entitled to NO FOOD at all.

Also, as pointed out above, several foods that have been called "smelly" are actively SERVED to first class passengers which makes it more a class divide.

I've seen McDonald's described as smelly on here loads of times!

McDonald's is smelly! It's pungent and intrusive. The smell sticks in your clothes/hair. Not saying it's unpleasant to me but food with strong smells shouldn't be eaten on public transport.

McDonalds really isn't smelly

Just to people who hate McDonalds on principal

Debatable on Emirates - the food is a cut above the average airline and you get a choice (faints)

Exactly!

Who then describe people as stuffing themselves and it clinging to hair and clothes, ridiculous!

Where I was living prior, there was a little restaurant by the station selling tiffin boxes to go, people changing trains could arrange for their order to be handed over the barrier. Can't see the problem myself with smells as the buffet car sold chicken tikka masala! The only food I want banned is eggs, cold that is in any form revolting smell

Most people would not consider McDonalds smelly....

I'm curious, when did you conduct this survey of what 'most people' think?

I sit next to family members on planes, but I would eat next to a stranger if I didn't, since the flights I go on are usually 8 hours rather than the average 40 minute train ride.

Less concerned than if they were eating their book.

I may actually BE the sushi offender here, as the person opposite me was eating a ham sandwich at the same time!

As long as animals are allowed in public transport, and not at least contained into a single carriage when possible, the whole debate about people who dare to bring chips to the train is a bit pointless.

Admittedly, I like a Maccies but i wouldn't describe it as smelly. The smell is distinctive but not smelly, per se.

I wonder how long the smell clings to clothes

I said further up the thread that I can't stand the smell of oranges. Most people don't care/mind. There's nothing universal that someone can ear that everybody likes.

Spot the person eating the McDonalds on a train! LOL.

This is Bullshit. I like McDonalds but even I think it really fucking smells if you aren't eating it yourself and worse in a non-food environment like a train.

I have a bit more respect for fellow travellers than to assume because I like something the stench of it in a long distance travelling environment would be welcome.

Besides, even if you are right and the people that complain about the smell are people that don't like it, if you are a person with manners and respect, that would on its own be enough to deter you from eating it on a train.