Summary

The author expresses frustration with inconsiderate train passengers who occupy seats with their bags and belongings during peak hours, and also comments on other rude behaviors observed on the train.

Abstract

The author, a regular train commuter in Australia, describes the evolution of train design and the current annoyance of passengers placing bags on seats during crowded peak hours. The author's pet peeve is the lack of consideration for fellow passengers, particularly noting that younger individuals and those who spread out or protect their belongings are often the offenders. The article also touches on other irritating behaviors such as loud conversations, blaring music, and littering. Despite these issues, the author has found lost valuable items on the train and responsibly handed them over to authorities. The author suggests simple etiquette for train riders to follow and muses about taking direct action to reclaim seats for people by moving bags to the floor. A memorable incident involving a physical altercation and a police officer underscores the tension that can arise from such inconsiderate behavior.

Opinions

The author believes that train seats are exclusively for people and that placing bags on them is inconsiderate.
Younger people, particularly girls, are observed to be frequent offenders in occupying seats with their bags.
The author is critical of passengers who take up excessive space or who are careless with their belongings, expecting others to navigate around them.
There is a sense of disbelief and annoyance at the lack of enforcement or reminder of rules against eating and drinking on the train.
The author is frustrated with the general lack of courtesy and awareness among some train passengers.
The author feels a sense of responsibility to correct the situation by either confronting offenders or by physically moving bags to claim a seat.
The author is amused and relieved by an incident where a police officer intervened in a dispute over space on the train, reinforcing the importance of order and respect for others.

Annoying people on the Train

I catch a 25 minute ride to town and back again, 3 days a week. In Australia, our trains have changed a lot. From the days when I was a teenager at University when the trains didn’t have automatic closing doors and the seats faced forward, to trains with seats along the walls so passengers are facing each other, and to trains with the sweet sounding chime and a pleasant female voice announcing “doors closing”.

It’s great catching the train …. except for when it really gets me mad when it’s peak hour traffic and tons of people place their bag on the seat next to them. This is my pet hate and once when I was fed up and wanted a seat after a hard day at work, I went to sit on a bag on a seat, not caring if I squashed that bag or what. The seats ARE for people, aren’t they??

For weeks, with an unfathomable look on my face, I have scrutinized the people who put bags on seats and they are the younger people, especially girls.

Sure, some passengers are large and spread themselves out over 2 seats, or cross one leg over the other like a chicken-wing, taking up more room and perhaps thinking themselves at home on their lounge chair.

Sure, some have got precious cargo in their bags and want to keep them close to their chests. I get that, but folks, the floor is for bags, and seats are for people to sit on.

The number of times I’ve seen someone go up to a seat occupied by a bulky knap-sack or a huge shopping bag, and nod at it as though saying “Hi there, do you mind giving up your seat” is amazing. You would think that the possessor of said equipment might notice droves of people pouring onto the train, and be considerate and put their bag on the floor right in front of them. The bag will be safe as houses, believe me.

I am tempted to one day say to one of these people “Did you know that the seats are actually for people?”

Of course, there are plenty of other annoying people on the trains, from those who talk loudly and unnecessarily on their mobile telephones, to those with music blaring from their mobile devices, and those talking with loud voices.

Joining the club, now that we are into Summer here in Australia, are wrappers of food untidily littering the floor, and half full water bottles rolling around endlessly which also make me hopping mad. I stare at the notices on the train wondering why there are no longer signs saying “Eating and Drinking are not allowed on the train.”

Also, to date I’ve found amazing things abandoned on the train, including a Smart-rider card, an expensive mobile phone, and an expensive lap-top in its carry case. All these were dutifully handed in by me to the authorities. Luckily I scooped them up and tucked them away for safe keeping, and kept off the mitts of the unscrupulous person who would have kept them or sold them for profit.

So, for Pete’s sake if you are thinking of catching the train -

Please don’t put your bags on train seats or annoy others otherwise.
Please be in the present and do one thing at a time and focus on what you are doing.
Please DON’T put your mobile phone or your Smart-rider card on the train seat.
Please make sure you have your Laptop with you when you get up to get off the train.

There are swings and roundabouts and the world is a bit topsy-turvy.

I am getting to the stage now that when I see a bag on a crowded seat, I may just pick it up and dump it on the floor where it belongs, without a word, and claim my seat.

A priceless encounter on the train one day was when it was peak hour and I had to stand by the doors, clutching onto the central pole, making myself smaller than I am, and feeling suffocated. Space on the train was premium and when the doors were obliged to open up to let 1 or 2 off, the trouble was that 3 or 4 wanted to get on.

Well 2 stations out of the city, peering through the mass of humanity around me, I could see 2 men on the platform. One of them, of slight but firm build and pleasantly dressed, seemed to be at the front and about to hop on. Not on your Nelly, the larger man next to him, must have thought. There they were, scuffling to get on the train, and a grown annoying man decided he had right of way, when he did not.

Well, I started to think oh no, they will squizzle me if they both get on, and was trying to hatch up a plan which might have involved shouting “hello, I’m here, watch out for the small person.” To my relief, the race for the 4 pm train home ended, when the dapper man grabbed the other by his collar. He shoved his face to the other’s, head titled up with unspoken authority.

Then he spoke! To my utter amazement, the man with the tie whipped out his badge and held it up, the crowning glory of the 4 pm train commuter’s journey. “Well you’re not going anywhere sonny” said the badge-man to the annoying man who tried to shove his way on, “I’m a police officer.”

They were both left on the platform. Neither made it on the 4 o’clock.

“Now if I just had a badge with Bag Inspector” on it, I thought ……