Bags on seat riddle

[PHILIPE]

I would never sit next to someone if there was another double seat available. it's just good manners and being respectful.

Thus can create another problem. I do the same thing myself as it is only human nature. A problem can rear it's head later when my wife and myself board and are unable to sit together although there may be plenty of seats available, although this situation is quite understandable.

 

[CNash]

I've seen a few responses in this thread along the lines of "I'll deliberately seek out people with bags on seats and sit next to them" - I honestly can't comprehend this behaviour. Why would you want to seek out potential conflict, or deliberately annoy the person you'll be sharing a double seat with for half an hour (or however long)? Live and let live; don't let your desire for a smug sense of superiority impact the peaceful journey of another passenger.

 

[Hellfire]

There was really no need for that patronising post... :roll:

Oh, I don't know. I was going to suggest a paragraph break would help as well. It really is hard sometimes to wade through a huge block of text with no breaks or proper punctuation.

Presumably the poster wants us to read the post...so a reminder not to make it difficult is hardly patronising

 

[PHILIPE]

I've seen a few responses in this thread along the lines of "I'll deliberately seek out people with bags on seats and sit next to them" - I honestly can't comprehend this behaviour. Why would you want to seek out potential conflict, or deliberately annoy the person you'll be sharing a double seat with for half an hour (or however long)? Live and let live; don't let your desire for a smug sense of superiority impact the peaceful journey of another passenger.

I don't do it if there are double seats available but only if I have to share. Some people, including yourself, seem to be unable to grasp that seats are for bums and not intended to be for anything else.

 

[Be3G]

I've seen a few responses in this thread along the lines of "I'll deliberately seek out people with bags on seats and sit next to them" - I honestly can't comprehend this behaviour. Why would you want to seek out potential conflict, or deliberately annoy the person you'll be sharing a double seat with for half an hour (or however long)? Live and let live; don't let your desire for a smug sense of superiority impact the peaceful journey of another passenger.

Indeed. Going back to the earlier example of my (clean, I hasten to add) bag going on a seat to make it easier to do my uni work, I'd have been a bit miffed if I learnt that someone – who had access to other seats nearby – deliberately chose to sit in my adjacent seat solely because it had my bag on it. They wouldn't gain any benefit from it, whilst I'd suffer because I'd have less space in which to do my work.

I'll again reiterate that I understand that passengers have priority over bags for a seat at all times. But in the general spirit of being helpful to other human beings, why not let someone else who needs that space use it, if doing so causes you no disbenefit whatsoever?

 

[transmanche]

But in the general spirit of being helpful to other human beings, why not let someone else who needs that space use it, if doing so causes you no disbenefit whatsoever?

Some people seem to take great pleasure in deliberately causing annoyance to other people.

Perhaps prosecuting them under railway bylaw 6(8) "No person shall molest or wilfully interfere with the comfort or convenience of any person on the railway." would do the trick

 

[aleph_0]

Indeed. Going back to the earlier example of my (clean, I hasten to add) bag going on a seat to make it easier to do my uni work, I'd have been a bit miffed if I learnt that someone – who had access to other seats nearby – deliberately chose to sit in my adjacent seat solely because it had my bag on it. They wouldn't gain any benefit from it, whilst I'd suffer because I'd have less space in which to do my work.

I'll again reiterate that I understand that passengers have priority over bags for a seat at all times. But in the general spirit of being helpful to other human beings, why not let someone else who needs that space use it, if doing so causes you no disbenefit whatsoever?

I'm not sure such generalised statement were meant to be taken too literally. It's most likely what was meant was "if there are no double seats available, and most people have kindly left the seat next to them free, but some people have placed the bag on the seat next to them for no good reason, I'll ask them to move their bag".

For example, on certain commuter trains, 2+2 seating, some/most passengers will put small bags on the seat next to them as a deterrant. It's a bit unfair for the kind people to be sat next to people every day, and the unkind get a double seat to themselves. In such a scenario I might choose confrontation.

Of course, if a passenger was sat at a double seat, and did have an apparent greater 'need' (I use this term loosely) for it, I doubt many people would challenge.

 

[dcsprior]

I don't put bags on seats, but will put other things - for instance on this journey (aisle seat, non-stop for the first two hours ) I've sat my laptop's power-supply on the unused window seat. While I was eating the laptop itself was there too.

I have no problem with others putting a bag on a neighbouring seat, provided that they have the common-sense not to do it with one that's been on the ground and the good manners to move it before anyone has to ask them to when the seat is needed.

Having said this, things related to manners and common-sense can be hard to enforce so perhaps the reason for some announcements/etc saying saying bags are not allowed on seats at all allows staff and passengers to more easily challenge the few who're stupid/ill-mannered.

 

[DiscoStu]

....don't let your desire for a smug sense of superiority impact the peaceful journey of another passenger.

Agreed, and that's all it boils down to really, arrogance.

 

[ECML180]

Banning bags from seats and making announcements will not solve the problem of people putting bags on seats to stop others sitting next to them. Why? Simply because the problem is the person not the bag! If they found out that bags were not allowed on seats and it was punished then they'd just put a coat there, or stationary if they're the 'laptop out & working' type, they'll just keep coming up with something else.

 

[Greenback]

There is no right answer to the original question and I doubt there will be any consensus either.

I do find it a bit ironic that manners are being brought up by both 'sides' in the debate. To me, it is good manners not to put anything on a seat that isn't mine, though I have done it on very quiet services with only half a dozen or less passengers in my carriage.

However, on a busy service, of which there are many, I have been known to choose to sit at a seat where someone has put their belongings rather than one that has been left vacant. This is because I consider it bad manners, and I don't consider it bad manenrs to select that seat first.

I don't always do that though, it all depends what mood I am in, and I would estimate that 90% of the time I will sit somewhere else, especially if I am on a train like a 150 with limited luggage storage!

 

[GodAtum]

I have had a few confrontations before. Was sitting in a HST 1st class 2 table. Someone sat opposite me (the carriage was empty). So I packed up and moved to a free table. He then started to ask me why I had moved and whether he smelled. I politely explained why I had moved.

 

[underbank]

Some people will prefer who they sit next to, for example, females may prefer to set next to another female. If they sit at an empty table or 2/3 seat unit, then they've no control over who will come and set next to them and potentially make them feel intimidated or uncomfortable. I.e. I'd prefer to choose to sit next to a "normal/average" looking person than sit on my own and risk someone smelly/huge/drunk or whatever coming to sit next to me.

 

[ScottishIain]

I.e. I'd prefer to choose to sit next to a "normal/average" looking person than sit on my own and risk someone smelly/huge/drunk or whatever coming to sit next to me.

Or if you're really unlucky, someone who is all 3.


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[bramling]

I've seen a few responses in this thread along the lines of "I'll deliberately seek out people with bags on seats and sit next to them" - I honestly can't comprehend this behaviour. Why would you want to seek out potential conflict, or deliberately annoy the person you'll be sharing a double seat with for half an hour (or however long)? Live and let live; don't let your desire for a smug sense of superiority impact the peaceful journey of another passenger.

Unfortunately a small, but unfortunately noticeable, minority seem to spend their lives going round creating problems.

Like earlier today. I'm waiting for a train on a fairly empty platform. The train turns up and is also fairly empty. Just as the train enters the platform a bloke comes steaming up the platform (why do some people just *have* to travel at the front of the train?). As good as barges me away from where I am standing, then huffs because he can't get on before me, then huffs because he clearly isn't able to secure his first choice of seat. As if all this isn't enough, within 30 seconds of the train's departure he then gets up and demands a window be closed, despite the train being quite warm because the heating is on full. To round off this display of stupidity, he's only on the train for 10 minutes, and at the point where he alighted he would have been at the end furthest from the exit staircase.

Some individuals just seem to cause unecessary problems wherever they go, one has to wonder how much more pleasant things would be for everyone else if these people just stayed at home!

 

[CNash]

I sympathise. However, I can understand the desire to sit in a particular carriage - most regular commuters will carefully calculate which carriage to sit in, for a variety of reasons. Some people like to be at the carriage that will deposit them nearest the exit - others will take the opposite tack and realise that boarding a carriage furthest away from a busy station's exit will give them a better chance of getting a seat.

 

[Katada]

When on trains I usually try to avoid having anyone sitting next to me, I usually find it extremely awkward and uncomfortable, it's something which ruins a journey for me.

Call me inconsiderate although if it's a busy train and I find a double seat I tend to sit on the aisle seat and place my bag on the window seat - if anyone asks to sit there I'll gladly let them what I really hate is being in a window seat and having someone sitting on the aisle seat.

Just my opinion, then again with the seat/bag mentality with empty coaches you could say why buy a ticket it would be empty anyway!

 

[orpine]

Personally I put the bag on the seat when it's a quiet service (lots of free double seats) - it's less effort than trying to use the overhead and I have easy access to my stuff (water/book/etc). But I move it as soon as it starts looking busy.

I've seen a few responses in this thread along the lines of "I'll deliberately seek out people with bags on seats and sit next to them" - I honestly can't comprehend this behaviour. Why would you want to seek out potential conflict, or deliberately annoy the person you'll be sharing a double seat with for half an hour (or however long)? Live and let live; don't let your desire for a smug sense of superiority impact the peaceful journey of another passenger.

But in that case aren't you "rewarding" the person who has the bag on the seat for the purposes of ensuring they don't share the seat? So they get their way and will do it again.

 

[L&Y Robert]

I sympathise. However, I can understand the desire to sit in a particular carriage - most regular commuters will carefully calculate which carriage to sit in, for a variety of reasons. Some people like to be at the carriage that will deposit them nearest the exit - others will take the opposite tack and realise that boarding a carriage furthest away from a busy station's exit will give them a better chance of getting a seat.

The middle of a non-motor carriage, i.e. not over the bogies, but half-way between. That was my favourite on Manchester Vic to Bury, - one achieves double articulation, as it were. Especially for the bit between Whitefield and Radcliffe. The new ones (the 504s) used to 'hunt' something terrible going down the hill. I still tend to do this if I have choice, but on Chiltern these days, of course.

 

[westv]

You can't beat a bit of double articulation, matron. Oh yes.

 

[trainophile]

Strange experience yesterday - I and my husband had a day trip to Oxford on FGW, in First Class as it was my birthday treat.

Outbound journey was lovely, only three other people in our entire coach (and we all got off at Oxford so it must have been empty into Paddington!).

Coming back, as expected it was pretty full of 'suits', and there were no reservation tickets, although luckily our two seats were available. We must have stuck out like a sore thumb, being dressed in casual gear and lugging backpack and bright red shopping bag not briefcases .

Anyway at one of the stations, a tall lanky bloke who was sat alone in the opposite pair of facing seats got up and reached over my head (I was in the aisle seat of a 4 table) to pull down an item of baggage. I thought that was odd, as there was nothing in the overhead on his own side.

There was a gent opposite us at the table so I assumed the remaining large item in the overhead rack belonged to him. However, at the next station lanky again stretched right over my space, brushing my head with his jacket, and heaved down the most enormous bag, practically clunking me with it.

I thought it was most rude, as he didn't even say "excuse me" or "sorry", in fact treated me like I wasn't there.

Also by putting his luggage on our side meant there was no room for ours, although I was very tempted to stick OH's rucksack over his head, but I felt a bit intimidated tbh, as he looked like he thought he owned the place. We briefly caught the eye of the chap at our table, and I'd say he thought it rather rude too.

Just goes to show, not everyone who travels in First Class has any manners!

 

[rdeez]

Believe me, just because someone is in first class, it doesn't make them more polite or sophisticated! Some of the rudest things I've witnessed on trains have happened in first class...

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[island]

(Same on easyJet, recently. I boarded a busy flight early to get my favourite extra leg-room seat of 1B or 1C by the door. I found a couple had picked 1A and 1C, and dumped their belongings in the middle seat, 1B. After trying to ignore me, they accepted that the seat was free. After five minutes, they decided they'd rather like to sit next to each other after all, so offered me the cramped 1A. I said I'd happily swap for 1C but I didn't want 1A. We all stayed where we were. That was a rather frosty two hours, but it amused me no end.)

I don't think this can be true. easyJet has had fully assigned seating for the last several months.

 

[NorthernSpirit]

With me its bag on floor and the large mussels that are attached to me on the seat. However whe it comes to finding a seat on a fairly packed unit, I will sit where I can even it it means asking a bloke or a bird to shift their bag.

Its mostly females who are the 'bag on seat' culprits, saying that though one lass did move her stuff what with the train we we on was full and I couldn't find a seat elsewhere. Maybe the smell of ice musk and Lynx did the trick.

As for passengers who wants to talk to you, I've had it happen to myself. Most of the time its what time does this train get in to xyz station. Not that it bothers me.

If the unit that I'm travelling on is really busy and there are a few seats left, I will shout down the train to everyone who has bags on the seat to move them so that others can sit down.

 

[transmanche]

and the large mussels that are attached to me

Well, that's a bit shellfish...

I'll get me coat...

 

[VauxhallandI]

Strange experience yesterday - I and my husband had a day trip to Oxford on FGW, in First Class as it was my birthday treat.

Outbound journey was lovely, only three other people in our entire coach (and we all got off at Oxford so it must have been empty into Paddington!).

Coming back, as expected it was pretty full of 'suits', and there were no reservation tickets, although luckily our two seats were available. We must have stuck out like a sore thumb, being dressed in casual gear and lugging backpack and bright red shopping bag not briefcases .

Anyway at one of the stations, a tall lanky bloke who was sat alone in the opposite pair of facing seats got up and reached over my head (I was in the aisle seat of a 4 table) to pull down an item of baggage. I thought that was odd, as there was nothing in the overhead on his own side.

There was a gent opposite us at the table so I assumed the remaining large item in the overhead rack belonged to him. However, at the next station lanky again stretched right over my space, brushing my head with his jacket, and heaved down the most enormous bag, practically clunking me with it.

I thought it was most rude, as he didn't even say "excuse me" or "sorry", in fact treated me like I wasn't there.

Also by putting his luggage on our side meant there was no room for ours, although I was very tempted to stick OH's rucksack over his head, but I felt a bit intimidated tbh, as he looked like he thought he owned the place. We briefly caught the eye of the chap at our table, and I'd say he thought it rather rude too.

Just goes to show, not everyone who travels in First Class has any manners!

Maybe there was luggage over where he sat when he got on and he popped it up opposite?

Love the "suits" attitude.....

 

[LowLevel]

To present an opposite picture, going back a few years I know there was a chap travelling in first class on a HST. A member of the crew asked him to remove his briefcase from the seat as it was busy and he declined. Said member of staff then grabbed it and chucked it out of a droplight at 100+ mph and advised the bloke it had left the train. This was a while back and he still works on the railway. He had several similar (but in one case much more outrageous) incidents that I won't recount here!

 

[trainophile]

Maybe there was luggage over where he sat when he got on and he popped it up opposite?

Love the "suits" attitude.....

It's not an "attitude" as in meaning any offence, but just to distinguish a train that is full of commuters due to its timing as compared with leisure travellers.

It occurred to me that there might have been no space in the rack on his side when he boarded, but my point was the rudeness in not even saying "excuse me" - if he'd asked I'd have happily stood up to allow him access.

 

[Greenback]

I agree it would have been polite to say something. Whenever I've had to put a bag into a rack opposite, I've said 'Excuse me' and apologised for disturbing whoever is sitting under it.

 

[DiscoStu]

Said member of staff then grabbed it and chucked it out of a droplight at 100+ mph UOTE]

What's a droplight?