Smelly feet on a train

[syorksdeano]

Should smell some of those on Northern trains

Train passenger 'threatened with police due to his smelly feet'

A Southern Rail staff member allegedly threatened to report a man to the police over a row about his smelly feet.

www.dailyecho.co.uk

A row has broken out after a rail passenger was allegedly threatened with being reported to police due to the smell of his feet.

Joe Mason said he had been 'victimised, humiliated and made to feel like a second class citizen' by a member of Southern Rail staff after taking his shoes off on a train.

Southern Rail said it was investigating the incident but denied these claims.

 

[island]

I suppose it might be a breach of byelaw 6 (8) "wilfully interfere with the comfort or convenience of any person on the railway" but I'd expect common sense to have been used (by both parties).

 

[61653 HTAFC]

We should bring back the stocks for anyone who thinks it's acceptable to take their shoes off on public transport.

 

[Iskra]

A byelaw about minimum standards of tolerable public hygiene would seem to be a useful one to have. I know Amtrak have such rules. Although as with anything else, it’s just another means of onboard confrontation for staff to juggle.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Section 5 of the Railway Bylaws covers this nicely:-
5. Unfit to be on the railway
No person shall enter or remain on the railway if, in the reasonable opinion of an authorised person, he is in an unfit or improper condition or his clothing may soil or damage any part of the railway or the property or clothing of any person on the railway.

 

[Deafdoggie]

Section 5 of the Railway Bylaws covers this nicely:-
5. Unfit to be on the railway
No person shall enter or remain on the railway if, in the reasonable opinion of an authorised person, he is in an unfit or improper condition or his clothing may soil or damage any part of the railway or the property or clothing of any person on the railway.

I can't see how that would be relevant. Just because they're smelly doesn't mean they're soiled.
I've done day hikes and my feet have been rank-although I've kept my shoes on on the train! But certainly back home or at the hotel my feet aren't soiled, simply smelly!

 

[island]

And moreover, the person's clothing isn't soiling any part of the railway.

 

[scotrail158713]

It's not too much of a stretch to claim not wearing shoes is a "person in improper condition" if you ask me

 

[LUYMun]

If he was thrown off said train due to smelly concerns, would you say he was defeeted?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Sep 2023 ==

We should bring back the stocks for anyone who thinks it's acceptable to take their shoes off on public transport.

Would you not mind having dirty shoes on seats?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Would you not mind having dirty shoes on seats?

Where did I say that? It isn't an "either/or" situation.

Feet should be on the floor, and should also be inside shoes. It's quite simple.

WRT the individual concerned, perhaps if he didn't behave like a "second class citizen" by taking his shoes off on a train people would be less likely to treat him as such.

Oh, and before the usual RailForums "what about this obscure niche scenario?" starts up, if someone has been on a hike and has to remove a shoe to get a stone out, that would be fine. It's in no way the same as someone kicking off their shoes and chilling out as if they're at home.

 

[Ashley Hill]

I can't see how that would be relevant. Just because they're smelly doesn't mean they're soiled

And moreover, the person's clothing isn't soiling any part of the railway.

No person shall enter or remain on the railway if, in the reasonable opinion of an authorised person, he is in an unfit or improper condition

If the smell is that bad that and passengers are complaining then the person can reasonably be said to be in an unfit or improper condition. Would you want to sit in a coach that smelt? No doubt the passenger concerned could have been treated more discreetly but the authorised person has to deal with the situation if necessary.

 

[AverageJoe]

If the smell is that bad that and passengers are complaining then the person can reasonably be said to be in an unfit or improper condition. Would you want to sit in a coach that smelt? No doubt the passenger concerned could have been treated more discreetly but the authorised person has to deal with the situation if necessary.

If you feet stink that bad and then you still go ahead and take your shoes off then I would say this passenger was also likely the awkward type that ignored the polite request and that led to it escalating.

I would imagine most decent folk wouldn’t put any of the public or staff in that position in the first place and if that was somehow me and I was asked to put my shoes on because of the smell I would be extremely apologetic.

It’s sad to say that some people have no consideration for others and display no manners at all but when they are called out, well then it’s completely different and everyone should be considerate and kind to them all of a sudden.

 

[Deafdoggie]

It's not unusual behaviour to take shoes off when travelling. On a coach tour the driver had to make an emergency brake. He was joined by 49 pairs of shoes at the front! As every passenger had removed theirs. Mind you, none of their feet smelt.

 

[Master29]

Much like feet on chairs. Just slobbish. Although he may have some mitigation.

 

[Trainguy34]

I can slightly symphasise as someone who does long walks often and I know how painful it can be, especially as this person has a condition causing this to be worse and he would probably walk long distances at work. My father is in a similar role to him and does lots of steps before then complaining occasionally when he gets home. I must agree that it was a bit too far if you have smelly feet but it did sound like the conductor was going a bit too far though.

 

[james_the_xv]

I can slightly symphasise as someone who does long walks often and I know how painful it can be, especially as this person has a condition causing this to be worse and he would probably walk long distances at work. My father is in a similar role to him and does lots of steps before then complaining occasionally when he gets home. I must agree that it was a bit too far if you have smelly feet but it did sound like the conductor was going a bit too far though.

Agree, some conductors do get themselves in a state over the smallest of issues. Can see the person in question's unwillingness to cooperate and subsequent reporting to the press completely down to how the conductor spoke to him about it.

I really doubt this would be news if the conversation went like this: 'Hi Pal, would you mind sticking some shoes on for me please? It's company policy for hygiene reasons.'

 

[Deafdoggie]

Agree, some conductors do get themselves in a state over the smallest of issues. Can see the person in question's unwillingness to cooperate and subsequent reporting to the press completely down to how the conductor spoke to him about it.

I really doubt this would be news if the conversation went like this: 'Hi Pal, would you mind sticking some shoes on for me please? It's company policy for hygiene reasons.'

Time & again on here we see rail staff saying passengers fail the attitude test. Yet there are many rail staff who fail it! Of course, very many don't & it cuts both ways. I'm not causing trouble & rail staff cause me no trouble. But I've seen in many jobs it's always the same staff who have problems with customers!

 

[AverageJoe]

Got to say there is a lot on here assuming the member of staff acted exactly how the potential victim is describing.

Yet none us know the truth behind it.
Likely the guy with stinky feet will exaggerate a little as we all tend to do when telling a story of how we were wronged.

Also the guy works as a security guard and looks fairly intimidating so the chances of a guard approaching him with an instant an aggressive attitude is probably a little unlikely.

It’s very possible that the complete opposite occurred and the passenger was aggressive and then felt wronged as those who are the aggressors tend to be and then took his embellished story to the press hoping for a little kick back from the toc.

We’ll probably never know the truth but you can almost guarantee things will have happened a little differently as has been put across in the paper.

 

[PacerTrain142]

It must have been a slow news day for the Daily Echo. I think that was very rude and unprofessional of the guard for telling him he’s dirty and should sort out his body odour. If that was true.

And threatening to call the police is just ridiculous. I don’t think they would be interested.. Can you imagine the conversation. “Hello, Southampton Constabulary, how May we help you?” “Hello, I’m a guard on Southern Rail, we have a gentleman on the train at Southampton who has smelly feet and is refusing to put his shoes back on”…

 

[Trainguy34]

It must have been a slow news day for the Daily Echo. I think that was very rude and unprofessional of the guard for telling him he’s dirty and should sort out his body odour. If that was true.

And threatening to call the police is just ridiculous. I don’t think they would be interested.. Can you imagine the conversation. “Hello, Southampton Constabulary, how May we help you?” “Hello, I’m a guard on Southern Rail, we have a gentleman on the train at Southampton who has smelly feet and is refusing to put his shoes back on”…

If they did attend it would be a funny delay reason to explain to passengers

 

[Falcon1200]

We should bring back the stocks for anyone who thinks it's acceptable to take their shoes off on public transport.

I agree and this thread is particularly topical for me; Last week on a long distance service I became aware of a pungent foot odour, and was surprised as I did not think mine were that bad. Then I realised that the guy sitting slightly behind me, across the aisle, had removed his shoes and had his feet on the seat. And this was in First Class! Thankfully Mr Stinky Feet alighted well before me.

 

[ExRes]

If they did attend it would be a funny delay reason to explain to passengers

And it would be even funnier if they charged the guard with wasting police time

 

[FGW_DID]

Got to say there is a lot on here assuming the member of staff acted exactly how the potential victim is describing.

Yet none us know the truth behind it.
Likely the guy with stinky feet will exaggerate a little as we all tend to do when telling a story of how we were wronged.

Also the guy works as a security guard and looks fairly intimidating so the chances of a guard approaching him with an instant an aggressive attitude is probably a little unlikely.

It’s very possible that the complete opposite occurred and the passenger was aggressive and then felt wronged as those who are the aggressors tend to be and then took his embellished story to the press hoping for a little kick back from the toc.

We’ll probably never know the truth but you can almost guarantee things will have happened a little differently as has been put across in the paper.

The good old “rude & aggressive” rail staff! , amazing how 99% of the time the person they are being “rude & aggressive“ to, always seems to be doing something they shouldn’t (even though it may appear trivial).

”Rude” = They’ve told me I can’t do something Or told me to do something!
”Rude & Aggressive” = They still won’t let me get my own way and do what I want!

 

[wastedlife]

This is a bit rich really. There is an elderly(ish) gentleman with a freedom pass who often spends his afternoons travelling between Waterloo and somewhere that connects at Surbiton, who - quite literally - I do not think has changed or washed his clothes in well over a decade. You can always tell when he's sat on platform 3/4 at Surbiton because of the smell wafting through the fresh air. Platform staff have told me tales of his getting on a carriage, and all the other passengers getting off as a result...

If ever there was a case for denying access to the railway under the by-laws quoted above, it is his. Nothing has been done, needless to say.

 

[jon0844]

Also the guy works as a security guard and looks fairly intimidating so the chances of a guard approaching him with an instant an aggressive attitude is probably a little unlikely.

You would certainly have to be quite brave to get into an argument intentionally with someone looking like that!

 

[PacerTrain142]

I agree and this thread is particularly topical for me; Last week on a long distance service I became aware of a pungent foot odour, and was surprised as I did not think mine were that bad. Then I realised that the guy sitting slightly behind me, across the aisle, had removed his shoes and had his feet on the seat. And this was in First Class! Thankfully Mr Stinky Feet alighted well before me.

Maybe as well as first class and quiet coaches, we need a smelly feet coach for people who want to take their shoes off…

On a serious note, if your feet are prone to getting hot, why not just wear sandals or flip flops (without socks of course)? The smell happens because your feet have been sweating in your shoes/trainers all day.

 

[AverageJoe]

It’s just the world we live in where the majority have to put up with the minority.

Like the thread we had on smoking/vaping.

The needs of the 1 smoker outweigh the feelings of the hundred or so other people.

 

[kristiang85]

There's a time and place to take your shoes off, and it's not on public transport.

Now Mr. Mason has got his face on a newspaper's website as someone with stinky feet, and probably seen as quite selfish to most people. What has he gained from this?

 

[PacerTrain142]

Don’t know if this is phsycological but I’m eating at a brewers Fayre (premier inn) right now and after reading this thread noticed my feet felt a bit achy so I’ve taken my shoes off for awhile. I might do this on a train if my feet were really achy and no one was sat next to me. But if I noticed any odour or was asked by staff to put my shoes back on I would immediately put them back on.

 

[james_the_xv]

The good old “rude & aggressive” rail staff! , amazing how 99% of the time the person they are being “rude & aggressive“ to, always seems to be doing something they shouldn’t (even though it may appear trivial).

”Rude” = They’ve told me I can’t do something Or told me to do something!
”Rude & Aggressive” = They still won’t let me get my own way and do what I want!

Rail staff should never have a reason to be rude or aggressive to customers regardless if they are doing something ’wrong’. And the fact is that many rail staff are frequently rude and aggressive to customers because they like having the authority, same as any other job (bouncers, security, police etc).

An example of this I experienced was when I tried to travel EDB-GLQ during an evening peak with an off peak ticket (I was wrongfully sold this ticket by the GLQ ticket office, but that’s another story). I got my ticket handed back to me and told I couldn’t travel. I asked why, and was shouted at (at the gate line in front of countless members of the public) for a solid 30s. It was completely unnecessary when a ‘this is peak, you have an off peak ticket pal’ would have sufficed.

I also witnessed LNR conductor berate a young lady for her phone being out of charge (I believe she had a railcard or ticket on it) rather than going through the motions of calmly explaining and issuing a new ticket. Some rail staff just get kicks out of the authority, no different to any other profession with authority.

It’s just the world we live in where the majority have to put up with the minority.

Like the thread we had on smoking/vaping.

The needs of the 1 smoker outweigh the feelings of the hundred or so other people.

Literally no one is saying this person was right to do what they did, just that the guards actions (in this persons version of events) were over the top.