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Original poster

Work calls on trains

160 replies

the7Vabo · 08/10/2024 09:34

But of a rant but I’m sick of people using their commute time to do work calls.

I just moved location on a train as it looked like I was going to be subject to a call for almost the whole journey (an hour). He’s so loud I call still hear him from the other end of the carriage.

I also work in one of the largest organisations where I live and I regularly overhear calls relating to it.

The guy this morning had his laptop open, basically acting as if he was at a desk.

Is it unreasonable to expect that people consider that others may not want to be subject to the noise during their morning commute?

OP posts:
Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 09/10/2024 09:51

FuzzyPuffling · 08/10/2024 09:38

If I was involved in industrial espionage ( I'm not) I would just spend my days on commuter trains. It's amazing what you find out...

😅🤣

Threelittleduck · 09/10/2024 09:52

Not really bothered. I know DB does quite a bit of work while he's on the train but don't think it's usually work calls, more responding to emails, setting up meetings by email and writing up reports.

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 09/10/2024 10:00

RubyOrca · 08/10/2024 10:46

It’s not OTT where I live. Money and family are the main reasons people in my community commute. That and the lack of housing pushing people out (yes where I live professionals were ending up homeless because there’s no housing)

You’re in a public space where noise and conversations are the norm. This is a you problem. Your comments about your workplace make it really clear this is you not coping with normal (but still annoying) sounds that come with being in a loud public space. You won’t get silence so you need to change.

Show quote history

🙄

RadioBamboo · 09/10/2024 10:18

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 09/10/2024 09:15

I think the idea of special carriages on the train for people who are going to make phone calls, along with people who want to play music, is making more and more sense. Families with toddlers could be in there too, & then everyone can make whatever noise they need to without worrying about disturbing each other.

And the rest of the train would be the quiet peaceful part for people who just want to read, doze, chat quietly to the person next to them or use their headphones.

I know it would never be enforceable but it’s a great idea IMO.

In reverse this is what quiet carriages are - one place where theoretically you can doze, read etc without disturbance. Unfortunately the sort of people who like to make loud phone calls seem to be drawn to them because they don't like their vital and urgent conversations to be disturbed by toddlers, Lola telling Mariam why Hattie's a bitch and tick tock videos about football.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 09/10/2024 10:24

On a train, woman in front of me, with laptop open, phone in hand, was instructing someone to fire an employee and she even mentioned their name. She seemed not to care where she was or what she was doing and I could identify who she worked for, the office and even her role, from the conversation. As I left the train, I casually said to her ' I know the person you just fired!' and her face hit the deck. I didn't know the individual, but hope my comment changed her behaviour in the future. Beware if you use your laptop, as the amount of information I have seen on trains is verging on insider trading at times. As for the calls, I do not care what you are cooking for tea, what you did or do during the day, use a messaging app!

Original poster
the7Vabo · 09/10/2024 10:28

HiThereSquare · 09/10/2024 09:36

I think people forget how loud they speak on phone calls when they are on the train. I think it's obnoxious and rude to have more than a quick quiet call on the phone. It's also obnoxious to watch media or listen to music without headphones.

I've travelled in countries like Japan and S Korea where no one makes noise on the train and it's amazing. It's so pleasant.

People also speak like knobs on the phone when they are on the train sometimes. It's like they know they have an audience.

Quick call I’m fine with sometimes people just have to get something done.

Its different to deciding to use your morning commute to do a project call shouting at people on Teams, or setting aside the time on your commute to catch up on calls.

OP posts:
MadameRed · 09/10/2024 10:31

I couldn't work on a train, my work is confidential and we're not allowed to use public WIFI. It's an excellent opportunity for me to snooze with a meditation. I don't care what anyone else does, I can't hear them.

EmpressaurusDeiGatti · 09/10/2024 10:36

RadioBamboo · 09/10/2024 10:18

In reverse this is what quiet carriages are - one place where theoretically you can doze, read etc without disturbance. Unfortunately the sort of people who like to make loud phone calls seem to be drawn to them because they don't like their vital and urgent conversations to be disturbed by toddlers, Lola telling Mariam why Hattie's a bitch and tick tock videos about football.

Show quote history

I know - there was even someone on a thread like this, not sure if it’s this thread, arguing that she should be allowed to sit in the quiet carriage if she wanted to make a phone call without being disturbed by other people playing music etc.

I think it’s one thing for local trains but when a train takes over 3 hours to get from the first to last stop, these rules ought to be enforced. Book a seat, decide on booking. If you’re going to be quiet - Coach 1-4. If you’re going to make any form of noise involving electronic devices or you have children under 10 - Coach 5-8.

sharpclawedkitten · 09/10/2024 10:56

idrinkandknowthings · 08/10/2024 18:35

I could live with it if they didn't talk such utter shit. The amount of business bollocks that they think makes them sound 'professional on-the-goers' is hilarious! The worst I heard was a woman who was talking about getting her team together after a day of 'interviewing potentials'. She called it a 'washing up session'. Dick.

It's the ones who sit in the cafe for hours at a time, babbling on about their job, jabbing at their laptop keys, hogging the seats and tables that I'd like to see jettisoned off into the atmosphere.

Yes they always talk in management speak bollox speak. Someone was on a Teams call on a recent train journey and instead of saying I agree with that she was saying "I am aligned with that".

Question (perhaps a more general one, not just for this thread but is there a reason people can't use normal words in a workplace? I know there is necessarily some industry-related jargon but it's entirely possible to say "yes I agree with that".

Tiedyesquad · 10/10/2024 06:23

"wash up" is just...the name for a particular kind of meeting, why does it bug people?

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