Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
and a buffet coach ? Lol
Certainly a different catering concept.
and a buffet coach ? Lol
I would have been very tempted to tell the mother that I have no ill feeling towards children, but I do have little tolerance for ignorant judgemental idiots who make assumptions about people they know nothing about.They were loud, playing games and laughing with each other while the mums talked. I continued working on a project on my laptop, not exactly ignoring them all but never really interacting with them. When I stood up to leave I heard the child who was sitting next to me ask their mum why I was so serious. The response was "because he's a boring man who, if he doesn't like noise or sharing with children, shouldn't be on a train".
If table stickers can be peeled off, the children will do it! I don't see how anyone can't work on a table with a board game printed on it permanently.Designated family coaches on long distance, 5+ coach trains but exclusively on weekends with the following changes:
You want to make family coaches as appealing as possible and give children plenty to do. This achieves that and more, and can all be packed away for normal weekday operation.
- Giant stickers with board games printed on them, so they can be peeled off after the weekend ready for the Monday rat run. Dice and cards rentable at a deposit from the host/shop.
- Pop music played through the coach (or maybe not, this could get grating)
- Children's meals and other activities also buyable from the shop.
- If licensing can be agreed, one or two TVs playing children's shows throughout the carriage, in lieu of how airplanes used to have movies on them, but with the relevant information still being displayed to one side.
I once shared a Thameslink declassified first class table with 2 mums who had 5 children between them. The mums sat facing me and one of the children sat next to me, with the other 4 children on the table across the aisle.
They were loud, playing games and laughing with each other while the mums talked. I continued working on a project on my laptop, not exactly ignoring them all but never really interacting with them. When I stood up to leave I heard the child who was sitting next to me ask their mum why I was so serious. The response was "because he's a boring man who, if he doesn't like noise or sharing with children, shouldn't be on a train".
I didn't respond at all, but I genuinely had no ill feelings towards them as I had a new baby at the time. I was quite happy working on my laptop, their noise didn't distract me, I didn't (I don't think!) give off any vibes of annoyance, because I wasn't annoyed.
I've thought about how I would react differently if it happened again, and have decided to clearly explain upfront that they're welcome to make noise and play games, I am very good at tuning it out when working, and that I am in no way offended by them. Sadly the opportunity has never arisen to see if that works out any better!
Agreed. But by the same token the passive aggressive comment made when I left (no idea if it was "designed" to be heard by me, or whether I only heard it because I have particularly good hearing!) based purely on me "being in the zone" on my laptop and able to tune them out felt very unnecessary.And situations like that can be resolved by normalising passengers talking to each other. The Mum(s) probably just assumed you were annoyed by the kids, whereas a few bits of small talk between you would "break the ice".
And situations like that can be resolved by normalising passengers talking to each other. The Mum(s) probably just assumed you were annoyed by the kids, whereas a few bits of small talk between you would "break the ice".
It isn't obligatory to talk to other passengers, and those who choose not to (other than acknowledging a polite hello or similar) should not be deprecated in any way for doing so.
Not necessarily. Unfortunately, there's a group of people who will object to virtually anything and be prepared to argue with anybody.Of course it's not. But if people did it more, confrontation and conflict would be reduced.
Of course it's not. But if people did it more, confrontation and conflict would be reduced.
Is it possible to increase platform heights to provide level boarding with UK stock where the doors are over the bogies? In some cases, over the bogies is the best place to put the doors for other reasons so if that prevents level boarding everywhere then we can't have level boarding everywhere.5) Level boarding
My wife reacts - what's wrong with breastfeeding? (OK some mums are uncomfortable but a breast-friendly policy (no sniggers please) would be better).4) Dedicated seats for mums breastfeeding
....such as a wheelchair user might require, is really not essential for a buggy, though a reasonable vertical and horizontal distance is (try a buggy through a Mk 1 door with a 30cm drop to the platform.... I've done it).5) Level boarding
Not ludicrous at all. I strongly prefer a journey free from shrill voices. Would definitely support the idea of family compartments though (provided usage thereof was compulsory for those with younger children )I would have loved the idea of a family compartment (as the European trains enjoy) when our kids were young - whether we like it or not people still sniff at children as if they should be 'seen and not heard' - quite ludicrous.
A good point. If dedicated facilities for families with young children were to be supplied does it become compulsory for them to use it?Not ludicrous at all. I strongly prefer a journey free from shrill voices. Would definitely support the idea of family compartments though (provided usage thereof was compulsory for those with younger children )
And I’d just drive.A good point. If dedicated facilities for families with young children were to be supplied does it become compulsory for them to use it?
What if a family refuses?
From the many continental journeys ive made there are far more families per train than dedicated compartments, but thats because ive always travelled in school holidays. Its not compulsory in France or Germany.A good point. If dedicated facilities for families with young children were to be supplied does it become compulsory for them to use it?
What if a family refuses?
A good point. If dedicated facilities for families with young children were to be supplied does it become compulsory for them to use it?
What if a family refuses?
Why would a family refuse to use a coach specifically designed for their needs if it wasn't full?
Because not all families require those needs.
?? Numerous reasons I would have thought. Many might NOT want to be separated from the general public, facility not appreciated by all age groups in family etc.Why would a family refuse to use a coach specifically designed for their needs if it wasn't full?
?? Numerous reasons I would have thought. Many might NOT want to be separated from the general public, facility not appreciated by all age groups in family etc.
Many people are happy with the airline seats as there's nobody opposite you fighting for foot room and you avoid the couples/groups on the tableI bet the number of people who actively want to mix with the general public on public transport is somewhere around 0. The public is considered by most as something that must be tolerated. "A coach to yourself" is a prize.
I can't see anyone not wanting a table seat with a decent table and power sockets.
Some might deliberately not use them as an objection to segregation.Why would a family refuse to use a coach specifically designed for their needs if it wasn't full?