Social acceptability of leaning one's head on the window and leaving a smudge

[benk1342]

What does everyone think about the social acceptability of passengers leaning their heads against train windows, often leaving an oily hair smudge that makes it unpleasant for later passengers to look out the window?

How does this compare to the social acceptability of feet on seats?

I think it's interesting that we have signs telling people to keep their feet off the seats but not to keep their heads off the windows. Personally I think head-window is more offensive than feet-seats.

 

[jopsuk]

feet on seats makes the clothing of the next person to sit on it dirty. Heads on windows every so slightly obscures the view. And there's a company trying to monetise heads oon windows with advertising technology through bone conduction.

 

[cde]

This is a weirdly coincidental thread as I saw it about 30 seconds after getting on an XC from Darlington, looked out of the window, to see a huge hair smudge on it.

Totally horrible!

 

[Mugby]

The fact is, when you board a train and get a seat (if you're lucky enough!) there's no telling what horrors have been sat in it before you!

 

[krus_aragon]

feet on seats makes the clothing of the next person to sit on it dirty. Heads on windows every so slightly obscures the view. And there's a company trying to monetise heads oon windows with advertising technology through bone conduction.

Here's a link to the Telegraph's coverage. Sky Deutschland are thinking of taking up ad company BBDO's offer.

 

[TDK]

What does everyone think about the social acceptability of passengers leaning their heads against train windows, often leaving an oily hair smudge that makes it unpleasant for later passengers to look out the window?

How does this compare to the social acceptability of feet on seats?

I think it's interesting that we have signs telling people to keep their feet off the seats but not to keep their heads off the windows. Personally I think head-window is more offensive than feet-seats.

Life really is just too short to worry about such trivial things

 

[asylumxl]

Perhaps you should consider using a car for journeys instead? This way people can not leave disgusting smudges on the windows which will invariably obstruct your view.

 

[pinguini]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...transmit-adverts-straight-head-lean-them.html

 

[Silv1983]

How very strange you mention this - as yesterday I was waiting at Manchester Victoria for a tram to pass - and when it did the sunlight caught the seemingly clear windows and turned it into a translucent mass of forehead grease. I thought it was odd as trams are fairly clean inside an out: and I wondered if they didn't bother clearing the windows.
I think an internal window clean needs to be added to the daily cleaning regimen rather than educate travellers.

 

[johnnychips]

If it really bothers you that much, carry a packet of tissues with you.

 

[Muzer]

if it really bothers you that much, carry a packet of tissues with you.

+ 1

 

[Lockwood]

Where else do I put my head when I'm sleeping on the train?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Life really is just too short to worry about such trivial things

Exactly!

There are some issues in our lives which are worthy of our concern, interest, passion and actions - actions which may challenge the customs and practice of others. I am aware of several.
This is not one of them.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I always wipe off any hair smudges I make on the windows - which can be quite a few sometimes! ( I like feeling the vibration of the train that way! )

 

[The Barlow Boy]

Perhaps you should consider using a car for journeys instead? This way people can not leave disgusting smudges on the windows which will invariably obstruct your view.

Well if my rail journeys yesterday was any marker that's an excellent suggestion. No person sat next to me continuously sniffing.
No screaming/screeching children.
No loud inane conversation down a telephone from the girl sat opposite.
No tsss-tsss-tsss-tsss from the bloke's headphones on the aisle seat next to me and one bay down.
No sitting surrounded by the detrious of the train's previous journey conveying the sort of people you wouldn't want in your front room.
And in very many cases a quicker door-to-door journey at a time that suits me rather not the rail company.

Take the car, it's better by far!

 

[Greenback]

Well if my rail journeys yesterday was any marker that's an excellent suggestion. No person sat next to me continuously sniffing.
No screaming/screeching children.
No loud inane conversation down a telephone from the girl sat opposite.
No tsss-tsss-tsss-tsss from the bloke's headphones on the aisle seat next to me and one bay down.
No sitting surrounded by the detrious of the train's previous journey conveying the sort of people you wouldn't want in your front room.
And in very many cases a quicker door-to-door journey at a time that suits me rather not the rail company.

Take the car, it's better by far!

I should think that the people who are bothered about such annoyances, and have the funds to buy and run a car, as well as the desire to drive what may be long distances, already do exactly that!

As for me, well, I prefer a more relaxed journey, during which I can have a snooze, eat, drink, read a book, use my laptop - all of which I cannot do if I am driving.

Obviously, headphones and children don't bother me that much, even when I do encounter them. It isn't on every journey that I will be near children, noisy hen parties or anything else like hair smudges that may highly annoy others!

 

[Mugby]

The trouble with public transport has always been.........the public are on it!

 

[Greenback]

The trouble with public transport has always been.........the public are on it!

Yes indeed, I try not to think of who else may have been sitting on the seat I am using - best not to know really!

 

[Antman]

feet on seats makes the clothing of the next person to sit on it dirty. Heads on windows every so slightly obscures the view. And there's a company trying to monetise heads oon windows with advertising technology through bone conduction.

Feet on seats is a far more serious issue. Don't BTP issue fines for it? Not that I've ever seen it happen.

I'm not sure they can fine people for heads on windows though..............

 

[ValleyLines142]

I really don't think heads on the window is worse than feet on seats. All you have to do is get a bit of tissue and wipe the window! That's what I did on the 0700 Cardiff to Manchester last week. Simples.

 

[ess]

FCC 365s suffer from hair smudge on windows much worse that other routes I've used.

 

[route:oxford]

What does everyone think about the social acceptability of passengers leaning their heads against train windows, often leaving an oily hair smudge that makes it unpleasant for later passengers to look out the window?

How does this compare to the social acceptability of feet on seats?

I think it's interesting that we have signs telling people to keep their feet off the seats but not to keep their heads off the windows. Personally I think head-window is more offensive than feet-seats.

Next time you see someone do it...

Just smile and tell them to lean on your shoulder instead...

 

[The Barlow Boy]

I should think that the people who are bothered about such annoyances, and have the funds to buy and run a car, as well as the desire to drive what may be long distances, already do exactly that!

As for me, well, I prefer a more relaxed journey, during which I can have a snooze, eat, drink, read a book, use my laptop - all of which I cannot do if I am driving.

Obviously, headphones and children don't bother me that much, even when I do encounter them. It isn't on every journey that I will be near children, noisy hen parties or anything else like hair smudges that may highly annoy others!

Which is why I'd rather use my car most times as I cannot relax sharing a space with the above.

 

[benk1342]

Thank you all for the interesting responses. As I stated in the OP, I was interested in a discussion about the social acceptability of putting heads on windows, partly because I am not from this country.

To those of you who said that there are bigger things in the world to worry about: of course there are. But that could be said about a great many topics on this forum, and others. If you're not interested in the topic, skip it. But no need to tell me what I should, or should not, be interested in. I can figure that out for myself!

In the meantime, can I take it that those of you that said I should not be worrying about it feel that it is socially acceptable?

 

[NSE]

FCC 365s suffer from hair smudge on windows much worse that other routes I've used.

Hehe I'm always on them, and I always sit with my head on the window. It's just comfy, especially when I'm sleeping. How else am I supposed to travel when hanging out my backside haha

 

[route:oxford]

In the meantime, can I take it that those of you that said I should not be worrying about it feel that it is socially acceptable?

I delegate these matters to Debrett's who are the world leaders in manners and social acceptability.

What do they say?

 

[VauxhallandI]

Thank you all for the interesting responses. As I stated in the OP, I was interested in a discussion about the social acceptability of putting heads on windows, partly because I am not from this country.

To those of you who said that there are bigger things in the world to worry about: of course there are. But that could be said about a great many topics on this forum, and others. If you're not interested in the topic, skip it. But no need to tell me what I should, or should not, be interested in. I can figure that out for myself!

In the meantime, can I take it that those of you that said I should not be worrying about it feel that it is socially acceptable?

I've never seen it nor ever heard of it till now. If this is gel then move out of Essex!

 

[asylumxl]

To those of you who said that there are bigger things in the world to worry about: of course there are. But that could be said about a great many topics on this forum, and others. If you're not interested in the topic, skip it. But no need to tell me what I should, or should not, be interested in. I can figure that out for myself!

And by the same logic, if you're offended by smudges on a carriage window, you're welcome to skip taking the train and find alternative transportation that doesn't upset your sensibilities.


Furthermore, people can choose to (and will) express their opinion. Just as you will choose what you are interested in. If you post it on a public forum then you should expect replies whether they agree with you or not.

 

[rebmcr]

If you have a problem with window smudges, just book certain seats on Pendolinos!