Talking to others

[Ivo]

In the south-east, do not speak unless spoken to or with others (unless attempting to provide help; even then, do so with caution).

Otherwise, however, it is not that rare an occurrence. On Monday night I spoke to another traveller, who would appear to be a wnxx (sp?) member (he suggested I join :roll, about why I saw an FGW HST in Leeds at 20:10; at the time, I didn't know one was on loan to EC.

Elsewhere, sometimes it does result in benefit. A certain trip I made into the depths of West Wales springs to mind (shameless plug)...

 

[telstarbox]

Speak up when you've read things wrong and you will get a moment of embarrassment.

Failing to speak up though will ALWAYS lead to a lifelong regret and thoughts of "what could have been".

Just try something bland like "I see you quite a bit, do you work in Manchester..?". She'll let you know either way, and I dont mean about where she wroks!!

Do it. Worst case you can always sit somewhere else!

 

[lookingforit35]

Unless you started the conversation with "Do you realise you stink? I can recommend a good soap"

I'll try that one. Must remember to wear my stabproof vest though.

 

[Crossover]

Some great stories here, I have to say

Personally I tend not to speak to people if travelling alone (sometimes I'm one of the ones standing when the other option is to sit next to somebody lol) but there are exceptions.

The common one tends to be when at stations helping people who aren't sure where they should be (and some have just approached me anyway...must have an air of looking like I know what I'm doing :P).
A recent example of which was last when waiting for the TPE train home from Manchester Piccadilly. I t was announced as platform 3 and then announced the terminator from Chester was terminating in platform 3, which came in first. Cue a number of bemused looks as people tried to work out if that was the Newcastle train (there were now two 142's in platform 3...) - I did ask the ones nearby if they were waiting for the Newcastle train and advised them it would be the one in front. Had a few instances like that.

Occasionally I will chat to other passengers but it is more often than not when a large group get talking nearby rather than just me and someone else - once ended up involved in a conversation with a rather pretty FTPE "trolley dolly" as well as some of the other passengers.

 

[stut]

The common one tends to be when at stations helping people who aren't sure where they should be (and some have just approached me anyway...must have an air of looking like I know what I'm doing :P).

Haha, yes, some of us obviously have this look, as I tend to get asked for directions, particularly around stations, seemingly wherever I go (including abroad). It's very odd giving directions to locals as a foreigner!

 

[wensley]

One I forgot to add was last week...was at York having finished a 12hr shift. Group of roughish looking lads and one comes over to me
"Does the next train go to Northallerton?"
"Should do mate" I replied
He skulked off and one of his cronies came over
"Is the next train for Northallerton?"
"Yeh, should be" I grumbled
Finally as it pulled in I got
"Does this one stop at Northallerton?"
Sorely tempted as I was to ask them if my face looked like one that cared I restrained myself, instead adding
"I bloody hope so, cos thats where I'm going!"