What a dick move - am I right?

[TeutoburgForest]

Just got on busy train in London. On a table a man is sat with his bag on the seat next to him and his coat on the seat opposite him - basically making it difficult for people to sit on 2/3 of the remaining free seats. Is this common??

Just ask. No need to make smart comments unless they get snippy about it. Taking a seat when lots are free just to be petty is pathetic.
As for sitting on the aisle - I prefer the aisle. Also I have taught my teenaged daughter to sit on an aisle seat when alone, if you want the inside seat ask.

Anyone standing and huffing rather than ask for the seats deserves to be left standing.

A polite ‘Could you move your things, please?’ has always worked for me. OK, the odd eye-roll, typically from young women, I’m sorry to say, but nobody’s ever refused.

But if the train is standing room only, and you are protecting an empty seat, you should be offering that seat, not waiting to be asked. Basic manners.

I just pick up their bag and give it to them.

Quite common but people just tell them go move their stuff.
ive used “did you buy a ticket for your bag?” A few times

Well yes but we don’t get to control other peoples manners

Common but they usually move it when asked. Sometimes it’s purposeful and sometimes it’s not. I used to get frustrated when people were sat in my booked seat and I had to ask them to move. One time I got on the train, saw there was someone in my reserved seat but they were clearly blind so I let that one go!

I do this sometimes because I prefer an aisle seat. I would have no problem letting you into the window seat. Although I once did nearly have an argument with a man who couldn't understand why I wouldn't just scoot over! Mate, you can have a seat but it needs to be the window one!

people who get on when the train is empty?

Very common and men & women are equally guilty.
When I used to commute by train I saw it a lot but it was almost always sorted by a simple request to move the offending items.

Same on the bus but again, a request to move is all that is required.

You are right but I find it excruciating to do this. So stand and seethe instead.

Yeah, he might not have noticed train getting busier, or he might have hoped no one would come. Doesn't matter. A simple, please can you move your stuff does the trick every time.

The angst over aisle vs window seat is so weird. I sit on aisle seats if I know I'm going to be getting off at a point where the train is still busy. I also sit on aisle seats on the new South western suburban trains becuase the seats are now so small that if you sit on the window you get completely squashed. If someone wants the free seat they are very very welcome to the window seat in that scenario.

But why? You are in the right asking someone to move. It is them that should be embarrassed not you.

I do it because I want an aisle seat. It’s not all about inconveniencing you 🙄

Can't believe this warranted a mumsnet post

Honestly, while I am usually a "be considerate of other peopel aroudn you" person, in this case, this is on you. Given a choice, most peopel put their bag on the seat next to them. It's more comfortable as there's often less foot room and I often then use my bag as an arm rest. Of course I move if I realise the train is fillin gup. if I'm reading my bok and don't notice, I move with speed the moment someone makes it obcious they want the seat.

I'm not going to massively inconvenience myself in case someone is too scarted to asked me to move my bag when I don't notice them.

Yes!

Yes . Last time I was on a train there was 3 young ppl (student age) taking up 6 seats. They had luggage, but to my mind they should have kept the luggage in the standing area and taken it in turns to stand and mind their bags.

I asked one of them to move so i could sit, but others were standing.

Another young woman was sat on the outside of the seat with bags on the other seat. Someone did take the space bit had to go round her to get to it.

Oh hi! Do you want this or is it just extra cushioning for other passengers? <sit>

Nah, I delight in their peeve.

If you're a inoffensive looking woman who fits into her own seat, you're almost always going to be first pick to have to share. Sometimes the bag thing can buy you an extra stop or two when you know there's lots of other available seats people could pick.

Central London trains at certain big stations are at their starting point. So are completely empty

After 10 -15 minutes of people boarding it can be standing room only.

👏👏
It's extraordinary isn't it that adults have to use words😂

Just TELL HIM
He's a stupid selfish twat

Yes, he is the AH. He will probably never change, but people like him need to be called out, asked to move. He probably will grumble under his breath about it, but unlikely to challenge as clearly doesn't have grounds to. Just hoping that people will take feeling more uncomfortable standing or squeezing in elsewhere over potentially feeling uncomfortable to challenge him for the space. Sounds like you did get him to move, and you absolutely shouldn't have to, but glad you stood up to the CF. Its entitled BS. Unfortunately there will always be a subset of people who will always act like this. He would also probably be the first to berate someone else for doing the same thing!

Think op was hoping for a bit of man bashing, tbh 😂