Why do solo train users take a table for 4?

[Badbadbunny]

Why do solo train users take a table for 4 and then huff and puff when a couple or family join them? Just on a train with lots of empty twosome seats but only one table for 4 free and a single woman takes it, and made a big fuss about moving her bags off the seat and clearing the rest of the table after she put loads of stuff on it when a family of 4 came on with one of them having to sit elsewhere.

Yes its pretty selfish

Anyone can sit at a table, I do sometimes when working on the train. But I don’t put my bags on seats or take up any other space than my own seat, or get annoyed if a family joins.

Probably because they want a table? Plus there's more legroom. If no-one joins you they're by far the best seat.

Of course she was rude to make a fuss about moving.

I like sitting at the table, it feels less hemmed in than the two seaters.
I’m not grumpy if other people come to sit there though unless maybe there’s loads of other tables free and they aren’t reserved seats.

I would and do, but wouldn’t mind if people joined me. I like the open space in front of me. First come first served!

I will sometimes sit on a table as a solo traveller. I don’t see why I shouldn’t be able to use the table? But I would never moan or begrudge someone else also sitting at the table

Space for laptop to work? It’s impossible on the pull-down table at an airline seat.

I would sit there but my bags would be stowed and I wouldn’t huff if other people joined the table.

I always pick a table. There's more space. I wouldn't expect to have it on my own though.

I will absolutely take a four travelling solo, especially if it’s the only seat facing in the direction of travel, as I get motion sick. I won’t make a fuss if other people join me, though.

Did you ask nicely "is this seat taken please"?

Because we can?

I like space to do my knitting.

I see this a lot and I've seen this thread a lot.

But I've never seen a huffer or puffer in real life!

I feel like I'm missing out because generally I just witness people quietly moving their things.

I sit at a table for 4 if I want some extra space. I don't travel at peak times and if someone wants to sit as well that's fine.

Why shouldn't I use a table?

Well, it's the only place with the table which is convenient on it's own and comes with a bit more leg room (under the table).

Why should we leave the best seats empty (unless family is literally at my heels), if I don't sit there someone else would.

Because I want to work on my laptop and the tray tables are far too small. First booked/first come, first served!

If you want to all sit together, make your reservations to do just that.

I solo travel and I prefer the table seat. The two seats together are rubbish with less space, especially if you want to actually use a table.
I wouldn't huff and puff about moving my stuff however, if 3 people wanted to join the table.
Not everything has to revolve around families getting priority, or groups. Single people have just as much right to take up space. Unless the table seat is reserved, it is first come, first served.

Because solo travellers are as entitled to the good seats as groups?

Obviously it's rude to make a fuss if others join you.

It may also be her booked seat.

If you sit elsewhere then you risk the seat you pick being unavailable later in your journey and then you have to faff around moving and trying to find a seat.

Everyone prefers a table. If I don’t sit at it, someone else will, so it’ll end up occupied anyway. I would never moan about sharing though, nor would I put my bags on the seat if someone needed to sit down. We didn’t have a car when I was growing up, so went everyone on buses and trains, and there were 2 things my Mum taught me were evil - people who used a seat for their bags, and Dr Beaching who closed down the small railways!

What is wrong with you using 2 of the 2 seats? Why do you need to be at a table?

Sometimes people want the table to work at. They are working.

Your mum is a wise woman!

This 100%

Worst thing I hate on trains are when it is packed. And you find yourself next to someone determined to eat a Cornish pasty or burger. Then crisps. Then a drink comes. On and on. Ugh.

I always take a seat at a table because I want to work. I have no objection to anyone else sitting at the table, obviously.