Sitting Next To Men On Public Transport

[Eve]

I have noticed quite a few times (I live in a very ethically diverse area) that ladies, potentially of a different ethnic/cultural background, sitting on a bus but on the outside seat so people would have to ask them to move to be able to sit by them.

I wondered if it is some kind of a cultural thing that it is discourages that they sit next to a man on public transport as some kind of explanation.

[shoota]

They do that round here too, I think it is just selfishness and I used to make a point of sitting next to them.

[Maydup]

^^ yep agree, its done in the hope that people won't ask them to shove up.

[owdhamer]

I have no experience of this jenna as I refuse to use buses. but you have my sympafhy

[tenrec]

I used to sit next to the window and found some very unsavoury people plonked themselves next to me. Now I sit on the inside seat, so if I don't like the look of them I can move to another seat and they can sit by the window if they want.

[owdhamer]

One thing I noticed when travelling by train is that ladies would put a bag or bags next to them to deprive someone of a seat.

[tenrec]

I just ask them to shift!

[237SJ]

I`ve noticed that a lot of women do that regardless of ethnic origin. They don`t want anyone to sit next to them. I get great delight in sitting there (especially if they have to move their shopping). I can understand Muslim women feeling uncomfortable sitting next to male strangers as that`s cultural. It`s the same in reverse too sometimes. Hasidic Jews hate (or flatly refuse) to sit next to a woman in case she`s menstruating.

[China Doll]

I do that because I don't want to have to say 'excuse me' when i get off the bus. I just want to get up and go.

[Lisa_Louise]

If I want to sit down I will sit down, they can budge up, don't care who it is. They don't have a right to take up two seats!

[joko]

i put my bags on seats - but only because its easier for me, not to prevent anyone sitting there - if someone comes on and needs a seat i will happily move it, no problem at all

not sure why people seem to think its deliberate attempt to take two seats and view it as a confrontational situation ...

if someone doesnt move their bag then you just ask them to ... and 99% will, without issue

[Eve]

It would be easier for me too but I don't see why anyone should have to ask me to be able to sit on a seat on public transport. I find it really frustrating as people who sit on the outside or have bags on a seat on a busy bus give the air of not wanting someone sitting next to them and I'd rather not have to ask to be able to sit on a free seat generally, not least the fact that by the time I'd get to them and asked them and they moved their stuff so I could sit down, the bus would already be in motion and I'd probably be trying to cling on for dear life as it is balancing my stick and whatever else I'm carrying (not least the pain aspect and anyone else behind me also trying to get to a seat having to wait). I'd much rather just be able to sit down as quickly as I can, it being a free seat and all.

[atalanta]

Sure, they can have two seats. If they pay for two seats.

[adrianben]

I always ask for an aisle seat when I use public transport.

[joko]

jenna there is not always enough space to put shopping on the floor though, or on your knee ... why should anyone struggle when there is an empty space beside them, just because you dont like asking?

most times if i see there are few remaining spare seats i would move my bags anyway, but if theres plenty of others i see no harm (assuming i have lots of heavy and bulky bags, of course)

[Buenchico]

In my experience it's usually young males that deliberately occupy the aisle seat!

It seems to occur on buses, trains and planes and I've never noticed any variations along the lines of ethnicity.

[jno]

like Chris, I've always found this to be totally non-ethnicity-related; I also think it's more a female thing than a male one (though on the whole that may simply because I see more females than males on the buses).

[Answerprancer]

I'd say it's just a selfish thing and a selfish tw?t is a selfish tw?t no matter what race or cultural background they may be from. Just sit on their lap if they won't move!

[FredPuli43]

Not necessarily done with a view to more space or to take two seats, deterring others; it is natural and convenient to sit by the aisle simply because it's easier to get up and out from that seat.

[EcclesCake]

On a plane I favour a window seat and on a bus I favour an aisle seat.

Haven't a scooby what this reveals about my ethnicity.......

[beso]

Maybe they are menstruating and they do it out of courtesy for the religious men that might otherwise sit next to them.