Train etiquette

[EmJA85]

Was getting the train back to London from a day out in Folkestone yesterday with my husband and my 1 year old. It’s not possible to book seats on that line. We arrived at the platform 30mins early because we knew it would be busy. As soon as the train arrived people literally pushed us out of the way to get on. Then there was a man with 2 bikes by the door, we couldn’t attempt to move to another carriage because we wouldn’t get on and the trains only run once an hour. People tutted and moaned because I was having trouble getting on. There wasn’t space to keep the buggy up so I had to carry him and people thought it was acceptable to let me stand holding a 12kg toddler, he can’t walk yet and is very energetic. I spoke out and was given a seat but everyone gave me dirty looks as if I was in the wrong. If I rocked up late or if seats were assigned I would say fair enough but I was there early and they all pushed in front. The icing on the cake was the seat I was given was in the area with the tables so he was given a makeshift drum and thought it was a social event so he proceeded to babble at everyone for the hour , people were not impressed. Is there an unwritten rule that you don’t get trains with kids? I don’t have a car

As ignorant as people on this thread

Yeah that as well. Rush hour train home from london and its full of screaming overtire children who've clearly been out for a jolly in London. Then the parents are going mental, they can't get on a train

Don't travel in rush hour when everybody's trying to get home. Working people have no choice.What time they travel home people on a day out absolutely do.

If you travel in rush hour, the train is going to be rammed, and given that I spend abojt £3500 pounds a year on my annual London pass i'm not giving way for a toddler and buggy.

It was Saturday.

That's what pretty much what happens with trains though, did you expect the crowd to open up for the special humans with the future of the species in their arms?

Your pre edit was more accurate

If you're used to trains in London, I'm not sure what you're complaining about.
Locals know where to stand on the platform to be perfectly aligned with train doors. If you're not in the know, then yes you have to fight your way on once you've found the carriage door.
Trains are nearly always packed. Everyone has (hopefully) paid to be on the train, but on local trains, no one has paid for a seat - so first come, first served.
Yes, it's nice if parents are offered a seat, but who's to say those already seated aren't just as in need?
And if it's at the end of a hot and tiring working day, no one is going to be impressed by a noisy toddler, no matter how cute you think he is.

Ah @EmJA85 that makes sense. I live near Stratford, I’m disabled and use crutches to walk. Also can’t drive with this condition so I’m used to getting trains. I very rarely get a seat and have had people barge past me to get to a seat. The last time I asked someone who was sat in the designated seat for those who find it hard to stand if I could possibly sit (at Stratford interestingly), I was told to f-off and then sworn at for the rest of the journey.
People can be shits, you didn’t do anything wrong. Shrug it off and enjoy your Sunday x

No, if you read my post you would see the issue is that I was literally trying to get on and there first and they pushed me out the way

Why do you think you deserve a seat just because you've got a kid? Trains are obviously busy at the weekends.

Do you have kids? And if so, are you strong enough to hold them on a moving train for an hour? I would have stood if it was safe

@EmJA85 Trainline ask you if you want to book seats

See here

And this is the fast train

Yes pretty much.

She got on the train, she'd got a seat and the husband got on with the folded buggy, where is the problem.

She didn't like that she didn't get red carpet treatment and that she should be given priority.

Everyone shoves to get on busy trains, it's been that way forever.
Is it pleasant? No, of course not.
Is it to be expected? Yes, of course.

Aww, you got unlucky OP. It happens unfortunately.

jesus wept, a website called Mumsnet and every other poster seems to despise children 😴

Ignorant why exactly?

I think as you're posting on mumsnet there's a very high chance that most of the people on here have children.

If you read my post you would see the main issue is that they pushed me out the way and tutted at me

You do deserve a seat more than most.
OP isn't disabled though.

I’m 61, my husband 66. No-one would be shoving us!

Because holding a child makes you less able to stand for a long period of time, and it’s less safe to do so. That is obvious.

When it's busy, people are assholes on public transport of most kinds, and it's a shame, but unsurprising that noone helped.

That said, what was your husband doing, did he not help with the toddler or the buggy?

PS sorry, caught up with that.

That line is a nightmare. My son and I travelled up there on a Saturday morning, got on at an earlier station. By the time we got to Folkestone it was exactly as you described it. I was in the wheelchair space, in my wheelchair, there was an old man opposite me perched on a metal bar. No one offered him a seat, but there were so many people standing he couldn't move much further down anyway. It was all very unpleasant.

So what. Why was your need to get home any greater than anyone else's. You don't know what's going on in people's lives.