Am I being too sensitive?

[Jan Mayen]

I'm currently on a Thameslink service, sitting in First Class.
I assume everyone else also has a First Class ticket, although it would be nice if a ticket inspector checked.
Anyway, earlier on someone was making a phone call without any attempt to be discreet.
However, that was stopped when someone else got on and is playing their music so loudly, phone calls are impossible. (One passenger has just moved into Standard to take a call).
There are about 12 passengers, no one has said anything. So is it just me who thinks this is unacceptable?

 

[bramling]

I'm currently on a Thameslink service, sitting in First Class.
I assume everyone else also has a First Class ticket, although it would be nice if a ticket inspector checked.
Anyway, earlier on someone was making a phone call without any attempt to be discreet.
However, that was stopped when someone else got on and is playing their music so loudly, phone calls are impossible. (One passenger has just moved into Standard to take a call).
There are about 12 passengers, no one has said anything. So is it just me who thinks this is unacceptable?

Typical weekend, unfortunately. I loathe travelling at weekends by rail for this reason, and will only ever do it as an absolute last resort.

 

[speedy1]

No. But it's absolutely a typical experience these days unfortunately. Yup even in First

Pragmatically, your options are noise-cancelling headphones/drive/bus

 

[Jan Mayen]

The headphones are a good idea. Fortunately, they have left the train and peace now reigns

 

[800001]

I'm currently on a Thameslink service, sitting in First Class.
I assume everyone else also has a First Class ticket, although it would be nice if a ticket inspector checked.
Anyway, earlier on someone was making a phone call without any attempt to be discreet.
However, that was stopped when someone else got on and is playing their music so loudly, phone calls are impossible. (One passenger has just moved into Standard to take a call).
There are about 12 passengers, no one has said anything. So is it just me who thinks this is unacceptable?

It doesn't matter whether in standard, first class, on a bus, even walking down street.

People with phones hold conversations on speaker for the whole world to hear and blast out music or videos.

Unfortunately manners has gone out of the window, and a select group of people (all ages) seem to think only they exist and to hell with everyone else.

I invested in some Apple AirPods purely for this reason, to block out the noise when travelling.

I would never ask someone to stop, as now a days, who knows what response you would get.

 

[gabrielhj07]

No. But it's absolutely a typical experience these days unfortunately. Yup even in First

Pragmatically, your options are noise-cancelling headphones/drive/bus

Bus? If anything that’s worse!

 

[speedy1]

Bus? If anything that’s worse!

Well, perhaps where you live

 

[D365]

@TT-ONR-NRN may be able to empathise. I had a recent experience where, on a CrossCountry heading into Sheffield, a lady (whilst sitting with a friend) was talking loudly into her phone.

Under normal circumstances I would have asked her to end the call or to take it into the vestibule area. However, courtesy of her broadcasting her side of conversation to the entire carriage - it sounded like she was on the phone to a case worker. This made it a bit difficult to confront her on the matter… for me at least.

Even with terrain-induced interruptions, the call went on for at least 20 minutes before she alighted…

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

@TT-ONR-NRN may be able to empathise. I had a recent experience where, on a CrossCountry heading into Sheffield, a lady (whilst sitting with a friend) was talking loudly into her phone.

Under normal circumstances I would have asked her to end the call or to take it into the vestibule area. However, courtesy of her broadcasting her side of conversation to the entire carriage - it sounded like she was on the phone to a case worker. This made it a bit difficult to confront her on the matter… for me at least.

Even with terrain-induced interruptions, the call went on for at least 20 minutes before she alighted…

See, I’m too shy to say anything really, but I do hate it when people broadcast their conversations to everyone else. I had someone on the V1 bus into Manchester the other day, screaming “SHE’S GONNA P*** OFF AND TAKE THE F***ING KIDS MUM,” and while I’m sure it provided great amusement to anyone on board who has missed The Jeremy Kyle Show since its axe, I just don’t understand why anyone would want to wash their dirty linen in public in that way.

To play music without headphones and to put calls on speaker has just been made a bylaw in Ireland, and I wish we’d follow suit.

 

[Sheridan]

To play music without headphones and to put calls on speaker has just been made a bylaw in Ireland, and I wish we’d follow suit.

It already is covered by our byelaws I think, the problem is in enforcing them!

 

[Egg Centric]

Public transport involves mixing with the public. A phone call is probably within the bounds of commonly accepted decency. Music so loud that phone calls aren't is way beyond that; I'm surprised the driver didn't put a stop to it given that was the case as that's seriously loud and potentially distracting to them.

 

[stadler]

This is completely normal. Every train these days has people like this. People making phone calls on speaker. People playing music out loud. People watching videos out loud. Unfortunately it is completely normalised nowadays.

One thing which i think is partly to blame for this is phone manufacturers getting rid of headphone sockets. It got much worse around that time. Previously all phones came with free headphones and you could easily just plug in headphones. But nowadays you have to specifically buy headphones and most people do not bother.

 

[Bishopstone]

On Thameslink, weekends and evenings especially, obnoxious people head to first class. You see and hear them swaggering through the train with their coarse language, broadcast music and vapes. They get a buzz from breaking rules, and sitting in FC without any form of ticket is just another challenge to authority!

The seclusion of first class on the 700s, at the ends of the train, is no doubt part of the appeal - another reason it should have been configured as one section in the middle of the train.

Honestly, you're more likely to have a peaceful journey in Standard, with less concern for personal safety.

 

[Trainlog]

Bus? If anything that’s worse!

I agree, it's definitely much worse.

One of the 3 reasons I gave up using the 101 bus and used the Medway Valley line more was because

1. Hated the stop-start nature, too many bus stops between Chatham rail station and the top of the Davis estate
2. Since the cap went up to £3, the train wasn't too much more different in price with a railcard
3. The amount of loud phone calls and people playing music was getting rather annoying

The 3rd one in particular, was rather bad. It was rare to get a quiet bus without someone having a loud phone call or scrolling through TikTok/Instagram without headphones. Sometimes there could be up to 3 phone calls at once on the top deck of the bus, and most of the people making them had no headphones in. The moment the cap was almost as much as a ticket on the Medway Valley line was the moment I abandoned taking the 101 unless I really have no other choice.

I will also not outright say that trains are much better. The one time I got to go on an LNER Intercity 225 was ruined with a guy opposite having a phone call with his partner, rather loudly, from Kings X to Doncaster. I mean, sure, he was calling his partner; however, past Peterborough, they both ran out of things to say, and all you could hear was small talk (rather loudly still) and an A road in the background on his partner's side.

So yeah, I can empathise with the OP on that one

 

[TheTallOne]

I've got some loop switch passive noise cancelling things that I reach for on very noisy services (like a group of scouts the other Saturday, so noisy!).

Might be worth a look. They reduce noise rather than cut it out completely.

 

[yorksrob]

One thing which i think is partly to blame for this is phone manufacturers getting rid of headphone sockets. It got much worse around that time. Previously all phones came with free headphones and you could easily just plug in headphones. But nowadays you have to specifically buy headphones and most people do not bother.

Shifty big business as usual.

 

[bleeder4]

My favourite is the woman who was conducting a speakerphone conversation with a private investigator, whilst on a packed commuter train. She suspected her husband was having an affair and wanted this private investigator to follow him after work to see where he went. She was telling him where her husband worked, the time he should be leaving and the route he should be taking to get home. Had I been so inclined, I could have Googled the phone number for his employer, called them, asked to be put through to him, and then tipped him off about it. It was just mental.

 

[azOOOOOma]

One of the largest causes of passenger aggression toward me is asking them not to do this.

I keep earplugs and my AirPods in my work bag incase I ever need to pass anywhere and are subjected to other people’s racket.

 

[DM352]

I should not be doing this but was trying to detect the speakerphone users language with phone and the tell them to shut the <redacted> up with a translate app. I no longer live in UK but is pretty bad compared to home.

Problem was trying this the detect apps are between 0 and useless.

My plan B is the 455/7 with the loud motors.

 

[milooo]

I should not be doing this but was trying to detect the speakerphone users language with phone and the tell them to shut the <redacted> up with a translate app. I no longer live in UK but is pretty bad compared to home.

Problem was trying this the detect apps are between 0 and useless.

My plan B is the 455/7 with the loud motors.

Plan B sounds a lot better

 

[lachlan]

Recently someone started playing an audiobook out loud and nobody said anything for a while. When someone did, passenger was super embarrassed and apologetic as she thought the music was in her headphones! It's telling nobody said sooner as people probably thought she was doing it on purpose!

Now on a different service and music has been blasted for a good 15 minutes. I don't want to say anything any more as I'm fed up with confrontation. Noise-cancelling headphones are a life saver.

 

[DM352]

Could be just some Canadian pharmacies when I pick up a prescription, they ask me to confirm name and address with date of birth. Then I say it quietly and they repeat it louder and nearby people could hear along with med names! My workaround is I show my drivers licence and say here is the confidential information you are asking for, and if they still don't get it, I switch to another pharmacy for future prescriptions.

Plan B is the 455/7 youtube with loud motors in speakerphone to create white noise but could end up with me being escorted off the premises.

 

[Polarbear]

I've currently part way through a 4/8 Freedom of North West rover - the first I've had in a good few years. I've certainly noticed a sharp increase in the number of inconsiderate people travelling on the rails!

On a TPE service from Carlisle to Manchester yesterday, I originally sat in a busy coach D, but picked up the person opposite was watching a film without headphones, so moved to coach B which was surprisingly quiet - until Penrith. There, the person who plonked themselves behind me decided that flicking through their social media on full volume was perfectly fine! Then the couple opposite both decided to show each other clips on their 'phones, again at top volume.

For me, this sort of thing has become all too common & it is increasingly rare that I can enjoy a peaceful journey. Whilst I acknowledge that others choose to buy noise cancelling headphones, they should not be necessary. Unfortunately, some people can't seem to behave in public, or know how to respect others - it's a "me me me" culture.

Then we have the question of enforcement, or lack thereof. Yes, I know front line staff have a tough job & shouldn't be expected to resolve what are (in my view) societal issues. However, those in charge of public transport operation in this country, who are ultimately responsible, find it much easier to turn a blind eye.

To reply to the OP - no, you aren't being too sensitive.

 

[lachlan]

I've currently part way through a 4/8 Freedom of North West rover - the first I've had in a good few years. I've certainly noticed a sharp increase in the number of inconsiderate people travelling on the rails!

On a TPE service from Carlisle to Manchester yesterday, I originally sat in a busy coach D, but picked up the person opposite was watching a film without headphones, so moved to coach B which was surprisingly quiet - until Penrith. There, the person who plonked themselves behind me decided that flicking through their social media on full volume was perfectly fine! Then the couple opposite both decided to show each other clips on their 'phones, again at top volume.

For me, this sort of thing has become all too common & it is increasingly rare that I can enjoy a peaceful journey. Whilst I acknowledge that others choose to buy noise cancelling headphones, they should not be necessary. Unfortunately, some people can't seem to behave in public, or know how to respect others - it's a "me me me" culture.

Then we have the question of enforcement, or lack thereof. Yes, I know front line staff have a tough job & shouldn't be expected to resolve what are (in my view) societal issues. However, those in charge of public transport operation in this country, who are ultimately responsible, find it much easier to turn a blind eye.

To reply to the OP - no, you aren't being too sensitive.

It's everywhere now, in the last two days in a fast food restaurant and a proper sit down restaurant people were watching things on their phones while they ate with no headphones.

 

[Brightonboy]

My favourite is the woman who was conducting a speakerphone conversation with a private investigator, whilst on a packed commuter train. She suspected her husband was having an affair and wanted this private investigator to follow him after work to see where he went. She was telling him where her husband worked, the time he should be leaving and the route he should be taking to get home. Had I been so inclined, I could have Googled the phone number for his employer, called them, asked to be put through to him, and then tipped him off about it. It was just mental.

I was once on a Bristol Parkway - Paddington service and a smart looking lady boarded (possibly at Swindon?) and proceeded to have a loud phone conversation from which I gathered that she was involved in the investigation and disciplinary process for a nurse who was contesting the case and various strategies were discussed for the next day's hearing.... Those are not conversations that should be held where any Tom, Dick or Harry could be listening...

 

[Trackman]

I sick to the back teeth of this behaviour.

The other week had someone speaking on their phone, but they were 'top note' (loud)... listening to the conversation there was no need for a phone call anyway - it was if 'Look at me!!!'
The miscreants usually sit directly in front or behind me.
I find of lot elderly people (people older than me!) seem to have music/you tube/tik tok on full blast too.

So irritating.

 

[Harpo]

As I mentioned in the dry trains thread, the loud use of tech on trains is by far the biggest anti-social behaviour issue on public transport, far outweighing any drink-related concerns.

 

[bramling]

I've currently part way through a 4/8 Freedom of North West rover - the first I've had in a good few years. I've certainly noticed a sharp increase in the number of inconsiderate people travelling on the rails!

On a TPE service from Carlisle to Manchester yesterday, I originally sat in a busy coach D, but picked up the person opposite was watching a film without headphones, so moved to coach B which was surprisingly quiet - until Penrith. There, the person who plonked themselves behind me decided that flicking through their social media on full volume was perfectly fine! Then the couple opposite both decided to show each other clips on their 'phones, again at top volume.

For me, this sort of thing has become all too common & it is increasingly rare that I can enjoy a peaceful journey. Whilst I acknowledge that others choose to buy noise cancelling headphones, they should not be necessary. Unfortunately, some people can't seem to behave in public, or know how to respect others - it's a "me me me" culture.

Then we have the question of enforcement, or lack thereof. Yes, I know front line staff have a tough job & shouldn't be expected to resolve what are (in my view) societal issues. However, those in charge of public transport operation in this country, who are ultimately responsible, find it much easier to turn a blind eye.

To reply to the OP - no, you aren't being too sensitive.

This whole trend of playing music or other stuff out loud is really repulsive. It isn’t unreasonable to be irritated when people can’t be bothered to buy / use headphones, which is the civilised thing to do.

Shoddy behaviour unfortunately is on the increase everywhere. Gyms are another place where the standard of behaviour and etiquette is rancid especially since Covid.

It isn’t just young people either, in fact if anything on the contrary.

 

[DM352]

I use loop earplugs which do take the edge off modern noise pollution, especially on trains, planes and busses. Also have foam or wax earplugs if need to take quiet up a notch.

When I catch a train at a terminus, I usually get in a quiet carriage and two minutes before departure the noisy nemesis brigade boards with an assortment of plastic rectangles that make a racket! To make it worse, a subset of these have been known to board and walk past me to the next carriage and then their reversing lights come on and they backtrack to a seat near me for most of the journey