Where there’s a seat you sit in it? / ‘Sit yo ass down!’

[noodlebugz]

Firstly this is not life changing and a minor gripe in the scheme of things but I’m currently on a train and am getting increasingly (and irrationally) annoyed.

It’s a cross country train, it’s actually a long one with 8 carriages, though 2x 4 stuck together so you can’t walk the full length of the train.

The train is NOT full. Running 7 minutes late, so not too bad.

My gripe is that despite there being plenty of seats, there is a grown men sat in the wheelchair space on the floor in 1st - why? And 2 teenagers that have been a full hour into the journey sat on the floor outside the toilet, so you have to climb over them if you need to go.These trains are NOT clean and the toilet smells!

I do have autism so may just not get it - but WHY? Why would you not sit in a proper seat!

YABU - ‘If I fits I sits’ - people who’ve bought a ticket can sit anywhere on the train.

YANBU - ‘Sit yo ass down’ - if there are proper seats people should use them to be considerate to others.

Opinions also welcome on whether cross country is the absolute toilet of the long distance train services - I would say yes!

Check with Jeremy?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41036937

Are the seats booked by others later on the route? Were they full before, and now they’ve emptied out but no one has noticed?

Totally agree - I think sometimes people think they are being helpful by not taking up a seat on a non-full bus or train, whereas they are actually getting in the way of people who need to get to seats. I noticed this particularly before I learned to drive when my oldest was a baby and toddler.

Ever since then I have always gone upstairs on buses, even when not busy because I think you should if you are able so people who can't can access seats downstairs. So often the lower deck is full of standing people, making it hard for pushchairs, wheelchairs and elderly people- and the upper deck is empty.

I don't think it's any of your business really. Pretty sure that the man would move for a wheelchair user and the teenagers would shuffle out of the way for somebody going to the toilet. If you are bored, you could test that theory. Let us know what happens!

@Talipesmum No - I can see available signs around.

are they near to their luggage?

@Ablondiebutagoody The teenagers slightly moved their legs when I got off the train. Not much - more of the shuffle past than an easy exit.
Unsure how I could have tested the wheelchair theory not being a wheelchair user!

Just rude and selfish.

I've seen people who sit in the seats that flip up for wheelchair users to be safely secured not want to move when people in a chair get on.

The teens sitting in front of the bathroom on the floor, I would just think they were high because ewwwwwwwww. I hope they do their own laundry.

OMG so I am now going back again! Opened the door of the train to a pair of legs!

A couple lying on the floor - surrounded by sainsbury’s bags - about 10!!!

@EleanorReally until the supermarket bags point no visible luggage!

And my reserved seat has someone’s bag in it - at present I’m sitting somewhere else but won’t hesitate to have them move it to sit down!

@noodlebugz oh I understand you totally.
It happens on nearly every bus I go on.
London buses so there's two doors (on at the front, off in the middle) but people all just huddle by the middle doors so you can't get to the EMPTY seats at the back.
Just SIT DOWN people. Or at least move out my way so I can sit down.
I see it on the Tube/commuter trains too.
Empty train carriage but people stand by the door clinging on to the rail or leaning against the side giving a performative "look at me.... I'm a suffering commuter" 😂
Just SIT DOWN.

(Those with leg/body problems where sitting down will be painful are excused obviously but the amount of people that insist on standing up - they seriously can't all be not able to bend their knees or whatever)

I think it’s fine to sit in the wheelchair bay seats until somebody with a wheelchair needs the space - that’s why they put folding seats there, so that the area can be multifunctional when it isn’t needed for its primary purpose.

I wouldn’t bother questioning what teenagers choose to do or why they do it, they’re teenagers, the insides of their heads often doesn’t make any sense.

@ComtesseDeSpair There are no folding seats. (Return journey void of man)

It sounds to me like the guard on this train wasn't doing his job.

There should be no obstructions in either the aisles or the vestibules. This is to aid evacuation in case of an accident.

I’d rather stand than sit in a window seat and risk being stuck next to a creepy guy next to me in the aisle seat.
I’d rather stand than sit next to someone with a dog.
I’d rather stand than sit next to someone sniffing.
I’d rather stand than sit next to someone who smelled grim.
I’d rather stand than sit next to someone drinking heavily.
I’d rather stand next to luggage that contained valuables than just leave it.
Some would rather stand than sit next to a distressed child.

Lots of reasons why people would rather stand. None of which are your business.

@Beezbuzzing as long as you aren't blocking access to anyone then that's fine.
Just move out the way if people do need to get to the seats though.
Thanks 🙂

Just to clarify these people aren’t standing. Other than wheelchair space man, they’re block the toilets and the doors on and off the train and not readily moving due to lack of / inclination / space to move to / number of sainsburys bags - return journey.

These are long distance trains - where your journey may be several hours - The route in Edinburgh to Plymouth.

Why is it bothering you? If they're in your way momentarily, just say "excuse me" and wait for them to move their legs or belongings. They're allowed to sit where they're sitting. There's no law saying they have to sit in seats.

I think because they are in the way, and because these trains are so so dirty! I just wouldn’t. 🤢

On the bus it’s because I was fed up of having to be aware who’s getting on as it seemed every stop and old or disabled person got on and I would have to stand up. So now unless I go upstairs I tend to stand up so I can zone out.

But that's you. Let them do what they want. If they're in your way, ask them to move so you can pass. Isn't that easy and obvious?

Blocking the toilets is not right.
No problem with sitting in the wheelchair space as long as you get up if someone who needs it gets on the train.

It takes a while to get up from sitting on the floor and they really shouldn't be blocking people's way to the toilet.
One example: I had to sit on the way to the toilet in an overly full train once. Someone feeling sick ended up vomiting on a few of us because they couldn't get to the toilet quickly enough.

I don't understand that sort of behaviour either, but I'm also working on not letting it bother me.

Thats very unfortunate.
They risk this by choice not necessity!

How is being autistic relevant? Everyone wonders at some time why their fellow citizens do something that seems odd to them.