Miserable passengers

[Eagle]

It's the overly cheery ones that are the most irritating.
Go away and leave us to be grumpy in peace

I always seem happy on a train. Probably because my rail journeys are few enough that I retain my childlike excitement of the railways.

That and I genuinely love looking out of the window and watching the country move past (and realizing that I'm able to name almost every town, village, river and hillrange we pass, even when I'm on lines I've barely travelled before...).

 

[RichmondCommu]

I must admit that when I’m commuting to and from work I’m full of my own thoughts and would much rather not have strangers smiling at me, let alone talk to me! I don't mind tourists asking for help on the Underground but that’s as far as it goes!

I'm much more sociable at weekends but then more often than not I’ll be travelling with my family which will probably put strangers off from wanting to talk to me!
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Or....you could be coming home from work feeling "utterly spent".

I certainly know that feeling Paul!

 

[craigwilson]

I do think it depends when you travel. I've been on many commuter trains where it's almost been like a library, everyone keeps themselves to themselves.

At the same time, I've been on many a Friday evening Virgin train from London to Manchester, where the atmosphere is much more jovial - people are travelling to see family or mates in other parts of the country, and have also generally finished work for the weekend, so are in a much happier mood.

 

[Squaddie]

Rail travel in the UK is miserable.

Even before the journey begins, there's the stress of worrying whether your train will be delayed or cancelled, whether there will be seats available, whether the advertised catering facilities will be provided and whether there will be any idiots in your carriage who spend the entire journey shouting into a mobile phone or playing music loudly.

The stations are old, shabby and unwelcoming, the trains often equally so. The staff can be rude (but not all, by any means). On long-distance routes the train staff seem to want to make long, rambling, loud and generally unnecessary announcements every five minutes.

And if you have to change trains en route to get to your destination there's the same stress and worry all over again...

I love trains, and will always take the train rather than drive if I can. I will take the train somewhere just for the sake of it, to enjoy a couple of peaceful hours relaxing, reading the paper and sipping a coffee while the scenery glides by. But never in the UK.

 

[Bungle73]

Rail travel in the UK is miserable.

Even before the journey begins, there's the stress of worrying whether your train will be delayed or cancelled, whether there will be seats available, whether the advertised catering facilities will be provided and whether there will be any idiots in your carriage who spend the entire journey shouting into a mobile phone or playing music loudly.

The stations are old, shabby and unwelcoming, the trains often equally so. The staff can be rude (but not all, by any means). On long-distance routes the train staff seem to want to make long, rambling, loud and generally unnecessary announcements every five minutes.

And if you have to change trains en route to get to your destination there's the same stress and worry all over again...

I love trains, and will always take the train rather than drive if I can. I will take the train somewhere just for the sake of it, to enjoy a couple of peaceful hours relaxing, reading the paper and sipping a coffee while the scenery glides by. But never in the UK.

I don't recognise your description of UK railways tbh. I've noticed a lot of money being spent on renovating stations recently, and a lot of trains are either new(ish) or have recently been refurbished.

 

[Crossover]

I have to say, if I were a commuter doing the same 5 mile stretch every day, I'd get bored after a while, especially when the train was probably packed out.

I tend to travel away from peak where possible and away from the commuter rush so I generally don't find it too bad.

I have also had experience of travelling home after work on a Christmas Eve from MK to Yorkshire - I think quite a few people on the VT north were is fairly high spirits and I think the majority were travelling for one reason that night. 'twas quite nice when the TM wished us all a Happy Christmas on arrival at Man Picc

 

[SteamPower]

I sense an amendment to the NRCoC - Ticket only valid if handed over with a smile to any member of railway staff requesting to see ticket, failure to comply will result in your ticket becoming invalid

 

[burneside]

After being stuck on a broken down Southeastern service for two and a half hours last week (without any toilets on the train!) I now feel pretty apprehensive when travelling to work, that probably explains my miserable face.

 

[HugePilchard]

If you think the passengers are bad you want to see the staff

Possibly the single most cheerful member of staff I've ever seen was an XC guard, who went down the carriage greeting everyone with a "Hello" or "Hi" as she checked their tickets, and a cheery "Thanks!" before moving on to the next passenger. Encountered her a few times when I used to commute by train, and found that the attitude did tend to rub off a little.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Commutng is a stress purchase , basically. People tolerate it , but there is the odd glimmer of humour and humanity - even on a packed 319 from St Albans.

 

[Blindtraveler]

theres a lady bus driver bassed at Lothians Marine garage in Edinburgh who, even when 30 mins late, or nursing a bad tempered denis trident on a hot day with a full load always has a cheery helo to every single passenger! Its fabb getting her on your bus home!