Social etiquette and boundaries Page 7

Quote: Lee Henman @ March 27 2009, 12:24 PM GMT

Dunno about anyone else but I always keep my bag on the seat next to me on a train. I really do NOT want anyone sat next to me on a train journey and will do anything to discourage it. I've travelled on the train hundreds of times and never yet had a conversation with a stranger that I didn't want to end as soon as possible.

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I will put my bag on the seat if it's too big to go overhead and I'm not in eye view of the luggage bay but I keep it on my lap if the train is crowded. I like a seat to myself too but it's not the main reason. Some people are rude though and tut loudly but if the train has enough seats I ignore them as there are being rude. I'm not being rude, I'm being safe. What do you prefer, a taken up seat or being knocked out by my bag if the train suddenly stops?

You did right sir!

Another good tip is that when you're on a train and you don't want anyone to sit next to you; as you pull into the station, put your stuff on the seat next to you and pretend you're asleep. However, where most people make a mistake is they 'wake' as soon as the train is on the move, but the thing is to keep 'asleep' a good few minutes after the train has pulled out. Reason being there are always people who just get on at the nearest door and walk through the train. This tip is most effective when travelling intercity.

I've got plenty more tips like that.

Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ March 27 2009, 5:52 PM GMT

I will put my bag on the seat if it's too big to go overhead and I'm not in eye view of the luggage bay but I keep it on my lap if the train is crowded. I like a seat to myself too but it's not the main reason. Some people are rude though and tut loudly but if the train has enough seats I ignore them as there are being rude. I'm not being rude, I'm being safe. What do you prefer, a taken up seat or being knocked out by my bag if the train suddenly stops?

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I'm never getting on a train or going out to lunch ever again

Quote: The Rook @ March 27 2009, 6:02 PM GMT

You did right sir!

Another good tip is that when you're on a train and you don't want anyone to sit next to you; as you pull into the station, put your stuff on the seat next to you and pretend you're asleep. However, where most people make a mistake is they 'wake' as soon as the train is on the move, but the thing is to keep 'asleep' a good few minutes after the train has pulled out. Reason being there are always people who just get on at the nearest door and walk through the train. This tip is most effective when travelling intercity.

I've got plenty more tips like that.

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Saying that though, because I do that, I can always spot people who do that to me.
However, no matter where I seemed to get on a train, within two stops I'll have some bloody noisy family sit near me. Then the little bastards will run up and down the aisle!!!

You did right sir!

Another good tip is that when you're on a train and you don't want anyone to sit next to you; as you pull into the station, put your stuff on the seat next to you and pretend you're asleep. However, where most people make a mistake is they 'wake' as soon as the train is on the move, but the thing is to keep 'asleep' a good few minutes after the train has pulled out. Reason being there are always people who just get on at the nearest door and walk through the train. This tip is most effective when travelling intercity.

I've got plenty more tips like that.

Quote: Seefacts @ March 26 2009, 11:03 PM GMT

Did I do the right thing?

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I won't pass judgement but some observations:

I'm confused, Tom. You initially ask us if you did the right thing then when you get a few negatives you shift the emphasis and later tell us that you're really asking if the old people broke the social norms, not you.

You say you're not feeling guilty but then asking us if you did the 'right' thing is rather more revealing than your declared position.

Aaron's da man, but I'd have said the same thing in more polite terms.

Personally speaking, it would never enter my head that people asking to sit by me were being rude. It would never enter my head to say no. However, this is not to say that what I do is 'right' as opposed to someone else being 'wrong'. I may have done it for completely the wrong reason. Only your conscience can tell you what you need to know.

Quote: The Rook @ March 27 2009, 6:02 PM GMT

Another good tip is put your stuff on the seat next to you and pretend you're asleep.

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And you would've 'woken up' to me, moving your bag and coat.

Quote: SlagA @ March 27 2009, 8:15 PM GMT

And you would've 'woken up' to me, moving your bag and coat.

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Or lifting his wallet.

Quote: Gavin @ March 27 2009, 8:26 PM GMT

Or lifting his wallet.

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And count himself lucky into the bargain.

Quote: Lee Henman @ March 27 2009, 12:24 PM GMT

Dunno about anyone else but I always keep my bag on the seat next to me on a train. I really do NOT want anyone sat next to me on a train journey and will do anything to discourage it.

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If I can't get a pair of seats to myself, then if it is a choice of sitting on an empty seat or asking someone to move their bag, I always ask the person to move their bag, because you know that if they were trying to stop you from sitting there, then there is no danger that they are going to attempt to engage you in conversation. And then I will let loose a silent one.

Quote: Seefacts @ March 27 2009, 5:10 PM GMT

Not really, no. But I believe anyone under 40 wouldn't have asked to sit at the table.

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I would have done if I had ordered food and there was nowhere else to sit. It's a pub!

I imagine you would not be a popular customer in Waggamamma.

Oh, and incidentally, I would have sat down anyway. And then I would have let loose a silent one.

Totally flabbergasting.

Seefacts, it's not your bar, and they're not your seats.

And the same to those people who think the train belongs to them.

I am sure Seefacts didn't actually mean any malace. He has already said that looking back he felt it wasn't a smart move and we all have had moments when the mouth acts before the brain . I'm sure it all worked out anyway.

Quote: RubyMae - Glamourous Snowdrop at Large @ March 27 2009, 9:17 PM GMT

I am sure Seefacts didn't actually mean any malace. He has already said that looking back he felt it wasn't a smart move and we all have had moments when the mouth acts before the brain . I'm sure it all worked out anyway.

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Except for the old couple, who we've already established went outside and were run over by a tram and killed instantly.

Quote: don rushmore @ March 27 2009, 5:48 PM GMT

Fair enough, Seefacts. You have your opinion, and I have mine. On a more positive note, I do see a little good in you - not much, but a little.

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Don, I don't care if you were seven foot tall and had a IQ to match your bicep I'd tell you to f**k off, cos I'm not scared of bullies!

Quote: don rushmore @ March 27 2009, 4:12 PM GMT

Seefacts, I'm 32, well over 6 foot and was once a professional boxer. So, just out of interest, if I had asked to join your table, would you have treated me in this same disrespectful way - or is it just the elderly you pick on with your fantastic wit?

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At no point have I been a bully here, Marc. I was only asking Seefacts if his retort would have been more respectful had he been addressing a different audience.

Quote: SlagA @ March 27 2009, 8:15 PM GMT

I won't pass judgement but some observations:

I'm confused, Tom. You initially ask us if you did the right thing then when you get a few negatives you shift the emphasis and later tell us that you're really asking if the old people broke the social norms, not you.

You say you're not feeling guilty but then asking us if you did the 'right' thing is rather more revealing than your declared position.

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I was more hoping to gauge what others would have done, and more importantly who would have let them sit down.

I'm a twat, I know that but by 'did I do the right thing' I meant 'should I have let them join us', not 'did I do right by being a rude c**t'.

Quote: Aaron @ March 27 2009, 9:36 PM GMT

Except for the old couple, who we've already established went outside and were run over by a tram and killed instantly.

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Yeah, no that DID happen. I was driving it.

I and mother of zooo went out today and were talked at by strangers threeee times.

For two people who don't welcome chatty strangers we certainly seem to give off the wrong air to bloody annoying over-friendly types.

I might get a badge.