When strangers sit next to you on public transit when there are lots of empty seats

[LRgrad15]

I do not drive so I take public transit a lot. Subway and buses for various reasons, usually to meet with a friend. One thing I hate is when random strangers sit next to me when there are lots of empty seats available where they could easily have the row to themselves. I don't sit in the handicap seats in order to avoid inconveniencing a elderly person or someone who is disabled. I just find it weird when someone sits next to me while there are plenty of other options. I don't like it regardless, but I am more accepting and understanding when it is a crowded bus and someone has to sit next to me. Does anyone else hate it when someone sits next to them on a subway or bus?

In a way, I feel like it is proper etiquette to not invade someone's space unless you have to. If I walk onto a crowded bus, I always stand if there are no empty rows since I know a lot of other people hate it when random strangers sit next to them. I can see the looks on their faces and some will even go as far as to sit in the aisle seat to prevent anyone from sitting next to them. That may be going a little too far if it is a crowded bus. I never do that. But I still find it uncomfortable and weird when there are lots of other empty seats that they can have themselves but choose to sit next to me instead. This usually happens on the bus. On the subway, I usually sit in the single seats so I almost never have that problem. What do you think about sitting next to others or vise versa when there are plenty of other options available? Just wondered.

[Cacoethes]

I hate it too.

If I notice someone is going to sit next to me, I usually start muttering to myself. It deters people.

[not_so_insig]

I dont have the answer but I have experienced it too. I expect it on the priority seats but not on the ordinary seats. I am glad that I am not the only one who hates it.

[Stellata]

I hate it too. I snarl [sadly] and move.

[zombiehunter]

one of my pet peeves too, I was getting bus to work at a different shop than my usual one a few weeks ago and even though the bus was empty two people sat behind me and started arsing around on their phones with the volume up and no headphones on WHILE I'M TRYING T READ MY ****ING BOOK

also a few weeks ago I was in my favourite pub enjoying a pint and some guy comes in and orders his drink and even though the place was practically deserted he stood practically right next to me, don't get me wrong if he had spoken to me and was interesting/funny id have happily chatted back but he just stood there drinking his drink but luckily he ****ed off after one

[Stellata]

... is why I can no longer read on public transport.

[zombiehunter]

I read on the train

train people tend to be more courteous and not arseholes

[Stellata]

That's good, must be a London thing then!

[not_so_insig]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zombiehunter

one of my pet peeves too, I was getting bus to work at a different shop than my usual one a few weeks ago and even though the bus was empty two people sat behind me and started arsing around on their phones with the volume up and no headphones on WHILE I'M TRYING T READ MY ****ING BOOK

also a few weeks ago I was in my favourite pub enjoying a pint and some guy comes in and orders his drink and even though the place was practically deserted he stood practically right next to me, don't get me wrong if he had spoken to me and was interesting/funny id have happily chatted back but he just stood there drinking his drink but luckily he ****ed off after one

On the majority of buses here there is notices saying please dont play music out loud and use headphones with consideration. I take it that they dont have it there zombie?

[zombiehunter]

Glasgow buses are like rolling zoos

that's why I avoid using them unless I have to

[Stellata]

Sounds like any public transport in London!

[one_step_closer]

I think most people don't like to sit next to a stranger. I'm not sure if I've ever had someone sit next to me when there were loads of empty seats though. When I sit next to a stranger and then someone gets up a leaves a double seat free I never know if I should move or not, in case the person I'm sitting with thinks I hate sitting next to them or something.

[Kyrilnys]

I don't mind much when people sit near me on the bus or train. What I hate is when people stand in front of the door like they're too "cool" to sit down.

[Stellata]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyrilnys

I don't mind much when people sit near me on the bus or train. What I hate is when people stand in front of the door like they're too "cool" to sit down.

I stand by the door sometimes when I can't cope with people facing me or close to me or looking at me. It's because of my mental health, not because I think I'm 'cool'.

[nonperson]

^ I do exactly the same thing for the same reasons.

[Stellata]

^ So glad I'm not the only one.

[The Worst Witch]

I put my bag on the seat next to me usually, I only move it if someone says “do you mind moving your bag so I can sit down” which hardly ever happens.

[not_so_insig]

I cant stand on buses due to the fact I always have an panic attack but if I have to I stand near the door for that reason. I feel safer if I can get off easily when I am panicking. Last time I had an panic attack on a bus nobody asked if I was ok or offered a seat even though there was plenty of people next to me. Nothing to do with "cool".

[Kyrilnys]

Whoa, relax. If I was throwing rocks at your head you would know it. While you are all on a crusade against me for some reason remember a couple things first.

1. I have PTSD and extreme social anxiety because of it. This forum is not designed for competitions of who is more, less, better or worse.

2. None of you take the buses I take, but if you did I doubt you would refuse to let people walk by to leave the bus. I also doubt you would walk on the bus saying how everyone stinks before you forced open a bus window.

Chill out, kids. This thread is now reported to the mods and I am permanently walking away from it. ✌️

[nonperson]

LOL. =P