You are perfectly entitled to sit next to other passengers.
Some people are just anti-social and never have liked being around strangers. Covid just gave them an excuse to try and justify it.
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Are people more reluctant to take a free seat due to Covid?
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Butts
Veteran Member
Lord alone knows how these people manage on an aeroplane ?
They have the magic masks that protect them from all illnesses.
Killingworth
Established Member
When needs must all seats and standing space is taken. Large numbers cram onto almost every peak time train that runs between Sheffield and Manchester on Saturdays. The busier they are the lower the percentage wearing masks! Social distancing? Common sense? When something's in short supply it's everyone for themselves. A bit like petrol and bog rolls!
Had someone sit next to me for the first time since pre-pandemic on a train back from London (Southeastern HS) the week before last. I was sat in a window seat, the train was getting rather busy, and a young lady appeared and asked if I minded if she took the seat next to me. Of course I said I didn't. I wouldn't have minded if she'd just sat down without saying anything tbh. I've never been bothered about anyone sitting next to me.
james60059
Member
Not as good as me, I went on a Class 172 from Nuneaton to Leamington Spa when I did a HofE Rover earlier this year, there was a gentleman, who was occupying a bay of 4 seats - no issue as there was plenty of seats to go round, I sat 2 rows behind and he got up, huffing and puffing, and uttering social distancing, and walked off to another part of the train. Got to admit, the other passengers thought it was funny, especially when I got up and took the bay of 4
nedchester
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Yesterday coming home from Liverpool I was sat in a bay of 4 and three women came and sat in the other seats.
I wasn’t bothered.
I wasn’t bothered.
I had first hand experience of this today, Transpenine Express Nova from Liverpool to Newcastle...I boarded at Manchester and walked down the entire train out of curiousity - at first it appeared it was full and standing room only but I reckon 30 - 50% of seats were available just nobody seemed to want to sit next to a stranger (some passengers also decided to sit in the aisle seat rather than the window seat and block off a seat that way...)
Several Geordies on board seemed to prefer the seating of the floor though with their alcohol supply that even Wetherspoons would be jealous of!
Several Geordies on board seemed to prefer the seating of the floor though with their alcohol supply that even Wetherspoons would be jealous of!
Class800
Established Member
Yesterday on replacement bus Guildford to Andover, the dispatcher had to board the coach to try to free up more seats for people to sit on, as they were being used for bags. He got 4 people to co-operate, but around the same again wouldn't, meaning some people had to get the slower bus, but it connected to same train
Some people seem to be completely oblivious to the fact that social distancing is supposed to have ended. There was someone moaning on LNER's social media the other day. As well as the usual whinge about pax and staff not wearing masks, they were also complaining about the lack of social distancing on the train they were on..........
I suspect that anyone too nervous to sit next to a stranger on a train won't be going on a plane for a long time yet.
This pandemic has been wonderful for the socially reclusive as it has given them a justification not to have human contact. I work with a woman who still has hardly left the house since March last year as she thinks everything outside will kill her
That’s a sage reminder that some people lead incredibly sad and unfulfilled lives. I suspect extreme fear like this is down to mental health issues in many cases, however.
nedchester
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That's a serious mental health issue.
dk1
Veteran Member
Do these people never look back & see the poor Twitter guys are answering the same mundane questions over & over again. They must live in a cave or something? It’s no longer mandatory.
LNER don't help matters with their constant announcements that you need to wear a mask.
dk1
Veteran Member
They’ve been over dramatic since day one.
They're posting their "Wear a mask" thing on their socials what seems like every other day. It's bordering on the obsessive. I've only done the two journeys with them so far recently, but I have another two coming up this week.
james60059
Member
There's still a fair few precious people about, bless them. My response would be that if you're that scared of being near others, then stay at home, happened once or twice over the Summer when I was gallavanting about on a rover tickets.
It was very common on the Underground, even to the extent of people being unable to board to access the empty seats.
Since the start of summer I've had people sit next to me on Southern's services during rush hour to Victoria. Had no complaints apart from one lady who would only sit next to me if I put on a mask. I declined so she walked off.
I've also been on very busy trains from Lewes to Newhaven on those rickety 3 coach class 313. Full of day trippers and hikers with all seats taken.
I've also been on very busy trains from Lewes to Newhaven on those rickety 3 coach class 313. Full of day trippers and hikers with all seats taken.
AlterEgo
Veteran Member
Very odd, as almost every (international) flight is full of people who have either had a PCR test, been double jabbed, or both.
Why do some people presume that everyone has a mask tucked away in their pocket? I never carry a mask.
Maybe you should. Just as every gentleman should carry a handkerchief.
Personally i'd rather everyone else minded their own business about what others carry or don't carry.
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