Poll: As to behaviour

[Mock Turtle]

I've put this in this forum, given it seems the most appropriate.

'I refused to move my bag on a busy train - I'd do it for a woman but not a man'

A woman has defended her decision to leave her bag on the seat next to her on a busy train after getting into an 'altercation' with a 'creepy guy' - many empathised her but urged her to deal with the situation in a different way

www.mirror.co.uk

The 23-year-old woman took to Reddit to vent about the situation, writing: "I ride the train home from work regularly. It's usually pretty empty but on Friday it was busy for some reason. When I got on, it was empty so I took a seat and put my bag next to me."

"Within a few stops, a lot more people got on and some people had to stand. There was a crowd of older men standing near my seat. I have been harassed by men on the train numerous times, and I was in no mood to let someone try to strike up a conversation or hit on me, so I left my bag on the seat next to me." She then explained it would have been a different story if there was a woman wanting to sit next to her, however. She continued: "If there had been a woman standing I would have gladly given her the seat, but I didn't want a creepy guy next to me."

"I'll spare you the details of the altercation, but basically, a man told me 'you know people are standing, you should move your bag' and someone else told him to mind his own business. This led to an argument and an employee had to get involved." The woman was moved to a different seat so others could sit there, but people weren't happy with her initial actions. In the comments, people were saying that the woman was in the wrong for putting her bag on the seat - with one woman giving her advice on how to feel safe when getting public transport.

It seems obvious to me - as to either sex being involved, but what do you think?

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Meh, I don't know.

But I don't put much weight on Reddit AITA posts.

 

[PureX]

I think she was being a bit rude. And unnecessarily so. She could have chosen a woman or an older man and asked them to sit next to her in place of her bag.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

I have been using public transit for 60 years, and throughout all of that time, I have always had my fairly large and heavy backpack with me (it's an orphan moving from place to place early in life thing). And no matter how full or empty the vehicle I'm on is, I NEVER put my backpack on a seat, but rather I always have it on my lap or on the floor in front of me.

I do not want people to think they need to ask my permission to sit down. I think it is always poor manners to use a seat meant for people for one's personal belongings.

 

[ChristineM]

If she paid for the seat for her bag then she has every right to stick ro her guns. If not then anyone who has paid for a seat is entitled to what they paid for

 

[Mock Turtle]

I think she was being a bit rude. And unnecessarily so. She could have chosen a woman or an older man and asked them to sit next to her in place of her bag.

She seems to be judgmental as to all men.

 

[Nakosis]

I've put this in this forum, given it seems the most appropriate.

'I refused to move my bag on a busy train - I'd do it for a woman but not a man'

A woman has defended her decision to leave her bag on the seat next to her on a busy train after getting into an 'altercation' with a 'creepy guy' - many empathised her but urged her to deal with the situation in a different way

www.mirror.co.uk

It seems obvious to me - as to either sex being involved, but what do you think?

Without hesitation.

 

[Mock Turtle]

Probably my only experience of this, given that I would always remove a bag for someone (anyone) to sit there, is when I was asked to move a rucksack from an adjacent seat even though there were other seats available. I stood up for the rest of the journey given it wasn't that far to my stop - even though I was an OAP at the time

 

[Valjean]

The seats are for people. Luggage goes elsewhere.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

She seems to be judgmental as to all men.

I actually don't find it misandric, per se. Women have to deal with a whole host of issues that men don't have to think about. And some of these issues, granted, are caused by, as they said, "creepy men".

That being said, who was right in such a situation, I guess, would depend on a number of factors. Probably most of which never saw the light of day in terms of bringing them to discussion. And since I wasn't there, I don't know who would be right.

 

[HonestJoe]

It seems obvious to me - as to either sex being involved, but what do you think?

Yes, I think it's a fairly straight forwards situation. I can somewhat sympathise with the reasoning given (not wanting a "creepy" man sitting next to her) but that concern isn't justification for her taking up two seats on a busy train. If having another random passenger sitting next to her is such an issue, she could resolve it by choosing to stand herself.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I actually don't find it misandric, per se. Women have to deal with a whole host of issues that men don't have to think about. And some of these issues, granted, are caused by, as they said, "creepy men".

That being said, who was right in such a situation, I guess, would depend on a number of factors. Probably most of which never saw the light of day in terms of bringing them to discussion. And since I wasn't there, I don't know who would be right.

I can understand this but I think she really needs to get an appropriate method to deal with any who bother her, rather than being so judgmental towards all males.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

I can understand this but I think she really needs to get an appropriate method to deal with any who bother her, rather than being so judgmental towards all males.

Fair.

 

[Quintessence]

I recommend she carry pepper spray. And train in martial arts.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I would've moved to sit by a person I was comfortable with sitting if I was uncomfortable sitting with a man in that situation.

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

Presumably, there was no woman wanting that seat, only men, since she seemed to be willing to sit next to a woman. I would have given her a chance to move the bag before I sat on it. She has to deal with her fear of men another way.

 

[Revoltingest]

It's not just men (who are all creepy).
There are also blacks, fatties, gays, codgers & crones.
They shouldn't be allowed on any public transportation,
lest some entitled fragile bigot risk being offended.

 

[Valjean]

I can understand this but I think she really needs to get an appropriate method to deal with any who bother her, rather than being so judgmental towards all males.

Whatever happened to hatpins?

 

[Sand Dancer]

She seems to be judgmental as to all men.

Or overconfident about her looks.

 

[Sand Dancer]

She seems to be judgmental as to all men.

I wonder what she would do if a lesbian hit on her.