Passengers sigh when they remove bag off neighbouring seat on PT

[nfg]

Unless you paid for two seats or have 2 passes for yourself and bag, people should not be using seat next to them for their bag(s)

You won't believe how quickly they swipe their bag back when they see a stranger's bottom getting lowered over it, ready to sit. They don't have time to sigh, either, cheeky buggers.

By sighing they are saying to the person ‘you are inconveniencing me’.
I might put a bag on the seat next to me on a half empty train but never if it was busy. It’s rude.

They sigh even more if you say ' has that paid its ticket then, or what?' and then you ask if they'd like you to put it in the overhead or would they prefer to do it themselves.

I got beyond selfish people on PR years ago.

The issue is if not moving, I agree.

As a regular train user on an often busy route, I will often deliberately aim for a seat with a bag on, or ask to sit in the window seat where someone has sat in the aisle seat (often on purpose to try and keep the seat free), rather than a proper empty seat.

Just because I can. The huffers make me laugh. I used to apologise for having the audacity to ask to sit where their bag is, but now I just politely say ‘can I sit down please’. Without saying sorry!

If I get on a busy train I specifically look for seats with bags on because I'm not afraid to ask them to move them.

Fine on a half empty train but if the train is filling up the decent thing is to move the bag before you have to be asked

Yes, this. I do the same.

My DDs (early 20s) are like this. "Don't say anything mum". However, I'm of an age where I'm no longer passive or shy to say something (politely, not aggressively) if the situation warrants it.

It's not fair to leave people to have to ask you. Often the people who need it most will be least comfortable asking you.
As soon as the train is getting at all busy you should move your bags.

I had to ask a man to move his rats' travelling-cage off the only seat. He had to put it on the table. There were two rats

• three including him.

Can't get worked up about sighing. I do roll my eyes at bullies who passive aggressively demand the seat with the bag on it when the train's still half empty though. Never seen one of them challenge a manspreader, it's always women who are targeted.

Yes thst drives me nuts to @nfg

I always sit in the aisle seat as I need to stretch my legs into the aisle (dicky knees that lock if not exercised when Im sitting). I was always happy someone taking the window seat but I object to those who think I should just move up. These were always men (sorry but they were) and I refused everything instead I asked them to step backwards, stood up and offered them the window seat. One young man who got on at Milton Keynes started tutting everytime he saw me because he wouldnt take the window seat. 🙄

I live near Heathrow & mainly catch the Piccadilly line so there tend to be loads of people with luggage.

If there are people standing & some seats are blocked by suitcases, I often point to them & say loudly ‘There’s a seat here.’

At which point people often magically manage to rearrange their stuff.

If anyone sighs or makes a fuss when asked to move something I always reply with 'oh it's a hard life isn't it?' with a sad face. 🤣

Wear ear plugs/ear phones /ear defenders then you won't hear them

Often when carriages are moderately full with just a few remaining seats people ‘bagsy’ seats with their bags. I ask to sit on a bagsied one rather than take an empty one.

worse is men manspreading with their body or being loud/rude/drunk in what feels like could become aggression.

May I ask why you do that? Not being goady just have always wondered.

I believe it's selfish as I imagine that person plonking their bag on the seat next to them does it to try and make sure no one sits next to them.

To be honest if I have a choice of sitting next to someone who's got a bag on their seat or one who hasn't, I'll always choose the bag seat. As it annoys me so much.

So would be interested to know why people do it.

I personally always try to sit on the outside seat, so I don't get stuck by the window. Obviously I'll always move to let another sit down but will keep my outside seat.

I'm not able to ask and I wish people would be less selfish and just move their shit when the train is filling up. I am autistic and just don't have the voice or ability for confrontation but I also have breathing difficulties and balance problems so I really do need the seat. People are utter twats thinking their bag is more deserving than a human. In busy services the guard (or whatever each toc calls them these days) if there is one, should walk through and charge each person who has a bag placed in a seat when others are standing; they would soon move their stuff.

Once some man got on the train and my 8 year old stepsons bag was on the chair so he just picked it up and threw it at him, saying g ",sorry but your bag doesn't pay for a seat"

If that’s aimed at me as I said that’s what I do, I’m neither a bully or passive aggressive! And I actually do ask the men to move too, probably more than women.

I also only do it where I know the train will be full either at my stop or by the next one, never on a quiet train where I would like space myself!

I mean, he had a point.
Obviously throwing wasn't acceptable but the bag shouldn't have been on a seat

It's not bullying to ask for a seat. The bag doesn't need the seat.

I happily target men with bags/manspreaders to ask them to move.

I have a cane now due to my neurological condition and it is very helpful for stopping men manspreading. Strongly recommend it!

@Loopytiles

Often when carriages are moderately full with just a few remaining seats people ‘bagsy’ seats with their bags. I ask to sit on a bagsied one rather than take an empty one.

This is just bitchy and unpleasant - and inevitably provokes sighing because everyone knows you are just doing this to be bloody minded and you have no idea why someone has put a bag there. Why not sit in an empty seat.

For medical reasons (immuno), I need to avoid getting coughs colds Covid and I generally avoid public transport for this reason. If absolutely have to travel on public transport which happens occassionally, I will put my bag on the seat next to me precisely because I do not want someone sitting next to me for my own safety. My preferred choice of seat is a single seat next to a vertical plastic barrier and near the door for fresh air circulation but often this isnt possible as not all trains are configured the same way. If it's a very full train, I will move it but I typically travel off-peak hours for the same reason so it is rarely the case.

I would be very upset if there were other seats available and someone asked me to move my bag to sit next to me just because they were trying to make a stupid point. and no I am not going to get into a discussion about my private medical issues on a public train.

maybe have a think about other people and why they might be doing something and the general effect on you and on them of your behaviour.

True, I always respond with a bright smile and "Thank you SO much." Makes me feel better anyway.

I travel on a train at least four times a week and have no issues asking someone to remove their bag; I am polite. However, I also get travel sick when travelling backwards weirdly. Therefore, there might be other empty seats, but if they are facing backwards, I will ask someone to move their bag for a forward-facing seat.