Train Etiquette

[Flamingo]

Two occasions spring to mind when I've had a beer on a train... first was when me and a mate were in our reserved seats on a table, and a middle-aged woman was on one of the other seats and for some reason I felt as if I should ask if it was okay by her before me and my mate had our beers (bought on the train) - she said it was okay, and I think she appreciated my asking. The second time was one time when I was on my own on a double-seat, sat next to a stranger, didn't ask, yet felt really akward when drinking it, almost as if I was sneaking it...

Generally I'm okay by it - after all, the FGW buffet sells it, so surely they don't mind people drinking it! (With me though, it does depend on if I've got to drive the other side of my journey...)

I'm quite weird; I tend to try and 'dress up' if I'm in first class - nothing special, but a shirt instead of a teeshirt (though not a crisp white!), basically so I don't feel odd! Although I know I could, as other people do, I wouldn't travel with my daughter in first class as she can be a bit noisy sometimes and I know people use FC to get away from loud kids - I know I've done that myself sometimes!

Best bet with kids in First Class is F (as there can be a lot of ambient noise from the bar anyway) or the very end of H closest to the powercar, as there is less passing traffic. Once you avoid G (quiet carriage) and don't ignore her if she is making a row (which it doesn't sound like you do) there shouldn't be much of a problem.

 

[Striker]

First class is hardly that posh on trains. Certainly not to me. I fly First class and business class and never economy, and you should see some of the looks I get in my jeans and t shirt. Once arrived at Paris CDG AF check-in at the La Premiere private area waiting for my escort through security and to the lounge. Before I'd even opened my mouth the lady said "Economy check-in is that way". I didn't say anything and just showed her my confirmation. She went bright red an apologised profusely.

The worse ones are business class passengers. Once I was stood in front of a business passenger in the queue to board. As they announced boarding for First and business class only, he tapped me on my shoulder and said, "excuse me, I'm business class and need to get through". I replied and said, "oh really? Well I'm in first class so you can wait". :roll:

 

[Broken Viking]

however....... one byelaw does state "No person shall soil any part of the railway". By interpretation would that include feet on seats?

To be honest: If the bylaws have that specific wording, doesn't that mean it's an offence under the byelaws to use any on-train or station lavatory? hock:

On long journeys my feet do get tired having to be on the floor, and crossing legs is not good for circulation. I never put them up on the seats but can quite understand why it is an automatic habit for some people. Most of us if sitting at home for an evening would use a foot stool or some other means of raising the feet off floor level.

I must admit that I hate having my legs "skewed" in one place for hours on end, which is one of several reasons why I tend to stand on 99% of my journeys...Even if I'm the only passenger on board the entire train! hock:

That said, I do sometimes sit down and put my feet out when I can. Although that normally means having them placed under the seat facing me (Until another passenger needs it) I also tend to rest one foot on the heating duct by the carriage wall if I'm in an airline seat. As far as I know, use of those as footrests is generally allowed.

Come on, who doesn't hope to annoy them by doing that - or indeed, dressing down to sit in first class (with a valid ticket, or when it's declassified) and having people tutting and muttering as if you're not allowed there.. and being shamed when it's all fine at the ticket check!!!

Tell me about it! I normally go around in full Metal gear, and occasionally buy an FC upgrade if standard's a bit crammed and I don't have the room needed for leaning into the bends, as tends to be my habit nowadays.

I can still remember one occasion where - Having purchased a Weekend First upgrade on a VT service - I took my seat in FC at the opposite end of the carriage from a bunch of suits who'd obviously been drinking. When the Guard came through to inspect our tickets, the suits stopped the Guard and had a word with him accompanied with several fingers pointing in my direction. Ye should've seen their faces when the Guard came over, checked my ticket, then actually took both that and my WF upgrade over to the group in question to show them that I had just as much right to sit in that carriage as they did...It soon shut them up!

 

[yorksrob]

Whilst I like to have a few jars in 1st, I think it's important to keep oneself to oneself where possible (as indeed is the case in steerage). Certainly not like the elderly navy gent I encountered on a cross country service between Reading and Birmingham once who'd been on the rum all the way from Portsmouth and who ended up wandering up and down the carriage trying to strike up conversations with one and all.

There was a kerfuffle later on around Leamington when it transpired that he'd ended up upside down in the loo at the end of the carriage - cue a lot of frantic activity from the train crew.

I always make a point of being scruffy in 1st. I'm quite tidy when on business but we're forced to go in standard by the company then anyway lol.

 

[Chapeltom]

What people dress like in either class is entirely up to them. I've never sat in First Class and instead sit in standard cattle sheds called "First TransPennine Express" or "Northern Rail" or "East Midlands Trains". It isn't society's job to judge people on what they wear, if someone is in first they clearly have the wallet to warrant it.

 

[Greenback]

Except when a First Class ticket is actually cheaper than the Standard Class ones!

 

[Invincibles]

I like to wear football tracksuits in first class, especially during the week

Free alcohol on Virgin is good, but now they have made the trains too fast, it was much better when the blockades were on and it could take 4 hours or more to get to london

 

[jon0844]

When I've flown Virgin Upper Class, there are plenty (most?) people who dress down in the club house - but I must admit that if you look a little closer, you'll see that the dress-down clothes are usually quite expensive! The watch often gives people away!

 

[GodAtum]

Ive never had anyone tut at me in First before even when dressing down.

if you have a leg cast can you put it on a seat?

 

[trainophile]

I've never seen Richard Branson looking smartly dressed and I bet he travels First Class.

 

[fairysdad]

if you have a leg cast can you put it on a seat?

As long as you take the leg out first / as long as it has a ticket

(I think I'm getting the hang of some of the memes floating around this forum!)

 

[amcluesent]

There was real head-case in EC 1st tonight. 'cybermen' stylee jumbo headphones, guffawing loudly every few minutes at some podcast on his iPhone.

 

[route101]

I often feel out of place when the train is full of suits , maybe its because im the only one enjoying the journey.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

I don't think it is the drinking of alcohol that people are wary of. I often enjoy a bottle or two of ale on a long journey, and even when with a friend we manage to behave sensibly. Sadly, as in many aspects of life, lots of people who drink alcohol on trains - especially at weekends - seem completely incapable of controlling themselves and a group of men drinking will often descend into an orgy of swearing, singing and generally rowdy behaviour - and it is that which disturbs folk.

Having said that, we did get some strange looks once when a friend of mine decided it would be a good idea to open a bottle of wine for the journey from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin. I did tell him not to fill the plastic glass so full!

 

[Bittern]

A friend of mine used to turn to the person, smile sweetly and say, "And do you know the Lord Jesus?"

That usually did the trick.

I nearly choked on my coffee! Thank you!