Asked to close window

[Trainfan344]

So on the dogbox (Class 153) home from Derby today, and get told to shut my window by an elderly lady, told her no as it was rather warm, and she threatened to get the guard involved...

The guard didn't turn up and eventually her and her friend moved away, there were 2 out of 14 windows open in our half of the 153, but what would have happened if she had complained to the guard, would I have been forced to shut my window?

 

[transportphoto]

If I was another passenger sitting within ear shot, I would have opened another window, or two, out of spite... Nothing would have happened, but try not to get too possessive over the windows

 

[johnnychips]

If she was unable to put something else on, and you were in a position to take something off, I think you should have done that.

 

[Trainfan344]

If she was unable to put something else on, and you were in a position to take something off, I think you should have done that.

I unzipped my coat and hoodie and made a very valid point... The smell coming from her takeaway was bad enough...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If I was another passenger sitting within ear shot, I would have opened another window, or two, out of spite... Nothing would have happened, but try not to get too possessive over the windows

I was hoping that would happen, but my fellow passengers seemed to be young couples more interested in each other than anything else!

 

[johnnychips]

I unzipped my coat and hoodie and made a very valid point... The smell coming from her takeaway was bad enough...

I was envisioning a nice old granny with a walking stick who perhaps should have told you to take your hoodie off anyway, or you wouldn't 'feel the benefit' when you got off. But takeaway food is another matter, so perhaps a window open was appropriate.

 

[Trainfan344]

I was envisioning a nice old granny with a walking stick who perhaps should have told you to take your hoodie off anyway, or you wouldn't 'feel the benefit' when you got off. But takeaway food is another matter, so perhaps a window open was appropriate.

Half the windows were open, she complained about the window above me, and I pointed out that the windows were all open, so she closed them and went to close the one above me and I told her not to, and then she went on making remarks about how older people feel the cold more...

 

[transportphoto]

Half the windows were open, she complained about the window above me, and I pointed out that the windows were all open, so she closed them and went to close the one above me and I told her not to, and then she went on making remarks about how older people feel the cold more...

Sounds like you would have to deploy some Customer Service skills in this kind of situation... This sounds like a typical disappointed customer who doesn't get their way... oh you can tell I work in retail!!

 

[fowler9]

I would have punched her in the face after weeks of arguments over the temperature in our office (I wouldn't really have done of course). Ha ha.

 

[Robertj21a]

I unzipped my coat and hoodie and made a very valid point... The smell coming from her takeaway was bad enough...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

!

I think you should have highlighted that the fresh air was for her benefit as takeaway food is, in general, not a very healthy option for someone of her age......

 

[route:oxford]

So on the dogbox (Class 153) home from Derby today, and get told to shut my window by an elderly lady, told her no as it was rather warm, and she threatened to get the guard involved...

The guard didn't turn up and eventually her and her friend moved away, there were 2 out of 14 windows open in our half of the 153, but what would have happened if she had complained to the guard, would I have been forced to shut my window?

The trouble with opening a window above you is that, whilst it is the only window you have control of, you feel no benefit yourself as the air sweeps through the hopper and cools the person 3 seats behind. Although it does have an overall effect of freshening the air in the carriage.

In a similar circumstance, I would have said:-

"I need fresh air, I feel so ill. I'm dosed up with immodium to get me home, vomitting and diarrhea is sweeping through our office."

Then do a fake cough.

 

[yorksrob]

Sliding ventilators were much better for controllable ventilation. I never understood why they got rid of them.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Speaking as a new member of "the septuagenarian club", I confess to feeling the effects of cold draughts far more now than in the days when I was a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed student of Manchester University in the early 1960's..

 

[387star]

Open windows will be phased out eventually with exceptions ie class 376

When all windows are open on a dmu very hard to hear the PA

 

[bramling]

So on the dogbox (Class 153) home from Derby today, and get told to shut my window by an elderly lady, told her no as it was rather warm, and she threatened to get the guard involved...

The guard didn't turn up and eventually her and her friend moved away, there were 2 out of 14 windows open in our half of the 153, but what would have happened if she had complained to the guard, would I have been forced to shut my window?

Always seem to be issues at this time of year. Some still dress for the winter, whilst others turn up in minimal clothing and get the hump if there's any form of draught.

My view would tend to be that etiquette would say if you are first on then it's up to you what you want to do with the window, and if others who join later don't like it then find somewhere else to sit. If you join later then I can begin to understand others feeling unhappy. But generally, for what it's worth I'm not too sympathetic to those who claim to feel the cold - if you know you're going to have this issue, wear more clothes.

I would rather have a train where passengers have some control of the temperature, then an air-conditioned one, most of which I find too warm even when the system is working. Some can be unbearable, for example Northern 158s.

 

[Greenback]

The sensible thing would be for someone who is uncomfortable to move to another seat if possible. Many's the time I've got on to a bus and sat down only to find a window further up the vehicle is causing a draught to blow right in my face. I've never asked for a window to be shut as I just move or put up with it. Others may feel differently, and want that window shut.

 

[gordonthemoron]

tell them to move to Hong Kong, it can be like siberia in the MTR

 

[Bletchleyite]

If she was unable to put something else on, and you were in a position to take something off, I think you should have done that.

French trains and buses often have a sign saying that if there is a dispute as to whether the window should be open or closed, it should be closed. I'd probably agree with that in principle, particularly as it's more likely the elderly and infirm who are adversely affected by it being cold, while it might be unpleasant for someone to be a bit warm it's often much less of an actual issue.

(Though personally I would prefer it open at most times of year )
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I think you should have highlighted that the fresh air was for her benefit as takeaway food is, in general, not a very healthy option for someone of her age......

Eating takeaway hot food on trains is rather inconsiderate (try that on a Nat Ex coach and you will get a proper gobful from the driver and your chips lobbed out of the window). In that case I might well have invited her to get the guard involved

Merseyrail used to have posters discouraging this. Wouldn't a sandwich or salad have been more appropriate?

 

[Mugby]

The trouble with opening a window above you is that, whilst it is the only window you have control of, you feel no benefit yourself as the air sweeps through the hopper and cools the person 3 seats behind. Although it does have an overall effect of freshening the air in the carriage.

Absolutely. Why 99% of passengers don't have the intelligence to realise this simple fact never ceases to amaze me.

I have sympathy with the OP if the woman was stinking out the carriage with some vile takeaway, I've occasionally been in similar situations with women applying nail varnish but it's always a source of wonderment why it seems quite acceptable to open a window but closing one is frowned upon!

 

[snail]

Absolutely. Why 99% of passengers don't have the intelligence to realise this simple fact never ceases to amaze me.

This. Over the winter I've catching the same train each day from Mcr Victoria. There was one person who always sat in the same seat and always opened the window regardless of the temperature outside or on the train.

I find the hopper windows worse when you are standing up. And if it's a crowded train there isn't the option to move. Standing in a blast of ice cold air for 15-20 minutes is no fun in the middle of winter.

 

[fowler9]

tell them to move to Hong Kong, it can be like siberia in the MTR

That is the truth. It is a relief from the outside air in September though.

 

[pompeyfan]

... it's always a source of wonderment why it seems quite acceptable to open a window but closing one is frowned upon!

On the buses I drive it's always the opposite, people will sit in sweltering heat with all the windows shut, and no one will open it. However if all windows are open, and the weather goes slightly overcast (for example) then a knee-jerk reaction will be to shut all windows, as apposed to only 1 or 2.

 

[hulabaloo]

She gave up the right to common decency when she decided it was socially acceptable to eat her smelly dinner on the train. That's the only problem with train travel, you have to share the experience with the rest of the public.

 

[quarella]

Always seem to be issues at this time of year. Some still dress for the winter, whilst others turn up in minimal clothing and get the hump if there's any form of draught.
.

It is an annoying time of year for shift workers who need a coat at one end of their day such as 0500 or 2300 but the other end of the working day, early afternoon it is a confounded nuisance.
We all feel comfortable at different temperatures, but it is impossible to have the "right" temperature for all when you have such variations of attire between stereotypical Newcastle female going clubbing and someone wearing a coat the same as the type used on the last expedition to the South Pole. Add to that someone has been stood on a chilly platform for some time due to just missing the previous train. Passenger 2 has had a brisk 20 minute walk and passenger 3 sat in their car until the train pulled into the platform.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It is an annoying time of year for shift workers who need a coat at one end of their day such as 0500 or 2300 but the other end of the working day, early afternoon it is a confounded nuisance.

Presumably these shift workers don't have a bag to put their coat in, along with (say) their lunch?

Of all the things that are a nuisance in the world, this one seems pretty low level!

 

[radamfi]

Obviously this argument is solved by air conditioning.

Hot food on the trains is a weird one. I don't like it and as mentioned above it is banned on coaches. But on long distance trains, hot food is actually sold on the train!

 

[Greenback]

I just used to take my jacket off and carry it!

It's very difficult to find the right temperature for everyone to feel comfortable, as I discovered during one job I had running a call centre. I could solve all other problems there except for the arguments about having a window open and finding the right level for the heating.

As for eating on the train, I think we all have to accept that other passengers are going to be doing things we don't like such as eating, drinking, having a loud conversation, or having crying babies with them. As long as these things aren't prohibited, we just have to put up with them. The best way to that is to be as tolerant of others as you can be. I'm very conscious of the fact that I and my mates could have annoyed other passengers on some occasions in my younger days!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Obviously this argument is solved by air conditioning.

If it works

Hot food on the trains is a weird one. I don't like it and as mentioned above it is banned on coaches. But on long distance trains, hot food is actually sold on the train!

True. That is of course an argument for a restaurant car, where hot food can be sold/consumed, leaving cold takeaway food for elsewhere

 

[GodAtum]

If it works



True. That is of course an argument for a restaurant car, where hot food can be sold/consumed, leaving cold takeaway food for elsewhere

is there any difference from hot food being served on planes and trains?

 

[bunnahabhain]

Obviously this argument is solved by air conditioning.

It isn't! You usually end up with some folk coming it's too cold and some complaining it's too hot.

 

[Bletchleyite]

is there any difference from hot food being served on planes and trains?

Unless everyone is eating at the same time, which on long haul they mostly are, it's unpleasant on planes as well.