New Sydney resident questions train etiquette after recent experience
By Jo Abi|
A new Sydney resident has expressed frustration after using the metro train service. On a recent trip the resident snapped a photo of the offending commuter, asking questions about train etiquette.
They wrote on Reddit's 'Sydney' thread: "Recently moved to Sydney and find this a lot where people are standing in the metro and then there are people who keep bags on the empty seats and show no eagerness to move the bags so someone can sit!
"I find it disrespectful and frustrating. Is this normal?"
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Redditers were quick to tell the resident all they had to do was to ask the commuter to move their bag.
"Just say excuse me can you move your bag so I can sit," one stated.
"Works most of the time," added another.
One Redditer explained in more detail: "Just ask and they'll move it so you can sit. If the train carriage is empty I'll sometimes put my bag on a seat next to me (rather than have it on my lap) จC but then a few stations later I'll look up and it's full, so I'll move it.
"Sometimes I don't look up (from my phone) so I don't know to move it - but if someone asked I'd move it right away.?"
Others explained it isn't common practice to sit opposite someone on this particular strain seat owing to the lack of adequate leg room for two people.
"To be fair, that specific seat on the city rail trains is an honest no go. No one sits there if someone is sitting across," one explained.
"An unspoken code," another said.
Another added: "My thoughts exactly. I'd rather stand."
However many pointed out the seat containing the back can be flipped to point in the other direction, immediately rectifying the leg space problem.
"You should be able to move the seat back so the seat faces the other way. Just ask them to move their bag. I used to commute in those trains and there's really not enough room there for 2 adults to sit facing each other," one detailed.?
"Has anyone actually shared this seat with anyone? It is the most awkward spot with a complete stranger," one Redditer added.
Others shared the resident's complaint, taking it as a sign of the rudeness of some Sydney commuters.
?"It's a shame that you have to ask," one commented.
"Just ask them to move the bag or move it for them & this problem goes away. Same too with anyone with their feet on the seat or sitting sideways. I've yet to be refused access to that seat," another said.
"Sydney's gonna eat you alive," one Redditer added.
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