Nice to be able to agree on something, I have a bugbear on this. If someone wants a particular type of seat, then turn up early. Good old first-come-first-serve. I find it extremely rude when people turn up at the last minute and expect others to move to accommodate their desires.
I wouldn’t say commuters are the worst for this though. On the contrary it’s the self-entitled family types who travel on a weekend. There is no specific reason why a family should need to, nor expect, a bay of seats if they are all already taken, especially when there are plenty elsewhere on the train and they expect the first one they come to or can’t be bothered to walk.
Had something like this on my holiday. Managed to get on the Cambrian train at International by the skin of my teeth and also gotten an optimal seat (rear-facing right hand window at a table - reversal at Shrewsbury would mean good views of the coast beyond Machynlleth.)
Heavens open as we make our way up the coast and a vast number get on at Fairbourne, including a large family. Member of said family, in his early-mid 20s, sits in in opposite aisle and immediately asks (in Scouse accent) if he can swap seats. I tell him that's not possible. Other members of said family offer him their windows, but his response is "No, I want his seat." Fortunately he didn't press the issue and they got off at Barmouth (along with most of the Fairbourne lot for an equally large Barmouth contingent.)
Not sure if it has been mentioned, but something I find irritating is when (admittedly not often these days!) you're sitting on an almost empty train and someone joining the train sits right opposite/behind/in front of you. I'm probably being petty but it always feels like a space invasion to me (and I usually move elsewhere).
Two for the price of one here - on my way back from watching Chelsea in the Champions League one time (1-1 draw at home to Schalke), in a near-deserted train about to depart Waterloo, a woman sits directly opposite me and starts tucking into Burger King.
Nothing wrong with crisps/chocolate (I like to tuck into those after a football match on my way home) but please don't eat a boiled egg and baked bean vindaloo on the train (Or less than 24 hours before boarding a train come to think of it.)
If you're going to give your child electronic entertainment, please remember headphones exist for a reason. Nobody else should have to listen to the same old songs over and over again - even the KGB didn't go that far.
Babies should not be allowed in first class without a top hat and a monocle. At least make an effort.
. Constantly and loudly without any consideration for how gross it sounds to other people. Just recently there seems to be one in every carriage, usually a couple of rows from me.
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