And then 2 seats on their own free up, do you move or stay where you are?
If you move, both of you will be more comfortable, but it still feels rude somehow. I find that people tend to stay put in these situations, although everyone thinks about moving...
Why do we do this?!
2006-11-02 21:16:06 · 31 answers · asked by - 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Completely true! lol, I sit there and think about moving but dont want to appear rude, then by the time Im through thinking about it the free seats get taken again. But I bet the other person is thinking "Move, go go go!"
2006-11-02 21:37:10 · answer #1 · answered by zorroorojo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll move to make myself more comfortable. I certainly do not think anyone would be offended, and from what I see here, many people would rather do the same, but are too worried to do so.
Basically I don't care even if someone is offended. Even if someone is really fat and takes up more of my seat than I do, I'd rather stand up. London is a very selfish place I'm afraid and you put yourself at a big disadvantage if you think for others.
I wish I wasn't like this and the world was nicer, but I'll face the harsh reality that London isn't a nice place.
The only etiquette I'd follow is giving up my seat to someone who looks like they need it eg pregnant women and elderly etc. Alot of londoners won't even do this and it's disgraceful
2006-11-02 21:33:12 · answer #2 · answered by bw_r005t3r 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I weigh up how long I'll be on the train/bus for... if its longer than say around 8 minutes then I'd move, but I stay put if its less than that.
The weird thing is when someone sits next to you when there are lots of empty seats!
2006-11-02 21:28:39 · answer #3 · answered by billy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All good manners are based on making other people feel comfortable and respecting their wishes.
If you are both uncomfortably cramped with bags, etc. it may make sense to move. You can catch their eye as you get up and say something like, "I can get out of your way now" if you like.
And if the vacant seat is just opposite or along from where you are sitting, it is fine to spread out there. Sprinting the length of the bus or carriage would be a bit rude.
2006-11-02 21:24:09 · answer #4 · answered by Bridget F 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
This is a very good question because it happens to all of us who takes the bus. There's irony even in this situation. Picture this.........when you get up to move to the free seats, another passenger who is more off putting than your previous one sits next to you... like a smelly big person and the one you left gets a nice pretty/handsome passenger sitting next to them!!!!!!!!! You would kick yourself for moving then. Unless you know you won't be getting someone else sitting next to you in the free seats, it's best not to move if the passenger you are sitting with is bearable/tolerable. If they are unbearable, heck take the risk....move.
2006-11-03 19:08:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I normally move, and then put my feet up and read a book - that way it looks like I'm just moving so that I can get comfy for this long journey ahead. If I'm still sitting next to them then I feel as though I ought to be making conversation or that it'd be rude to be listening to music or reading in case they want to strike a conversation with me. Many a sleepless night over such a predicament....
Anyway, nothing to so with the point, but I was sitting on the bus at about 10pm (on my way home from work - I quit that job because of the ridiculous hours) and there were two men there, and one of them was beging the other to be his friend! It was madness, he was going "We both live so close, we could go out for a drink" and "I've lived here for ten years and nobody talks to me, all I want is somebody to talk to - we could share our problems together" and it was quite sad to watch really, but the other bloke just wasn't saying anything, he was like, "I'm not really in the mood to talk." and "I don't want to go out for a drink". You feel sorry for them I guess, but he was plain crazy!
2006-11-03 01:38:34 · answer #6 · answered by floppity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very rude to move because it just makes everyone feel awkward. The person you move from feels embarrassed; and your fellow travellers wonder what is wrong with them.
If you absolutely have to move, use an excuse such as going to pick up a newspaper or making a show of checking the map and save everyone's feelings.
2006-11-02 21:42:18 · answer #7 · answered by bingo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm. Very good question. You shouldn't get deducted 5 points, In fact, I wish I could give you a few points for asking this question. It really got me thinking. Well, here's my opinion: I think maybe you should ask the person whom you're sitting with. Say something like "Would you mind if I sat over there?" Then again, maybe you could just get up and move if you want to, because they probably would like it as well, and they probably couldn't care less. Even if they do feel bad, it won't hurt you because you might never see them again. But then, they might be hurt and their self confidence might be bruised, but that would only happen if they have an inferiority complex. I think I'm going off topic...
2006-11-02 21:30:41 · answer #8 · answered by Hakim Bin Luqman 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it is important not to make the person think you have moved because it uncomfortable sitting next to them. I believe that if you can move to another seat in order to get a window seat then that is ok. If the person is unpleasent and smells then move.
You could also try turning your stereo up, I know this anoys people and they tend to let me sit by myself where possible,
2006-11-03 01:24:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because we're all polite we want the person next to us to move but at the same time if they do move we feel there is something wrong with us (like we smell) lol so we don't want to make the other person feel this way. So we both stay put.
2006-11-02 21:34:46 · answer #10 · answered by janetlouise24 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋