Woman praised for refusing to give up train seat for mum with three children
"I feel like a cow bag but a justified one."
A woman has been praised for refusing to give up her train seat for a mum with three children. And as is often the case with these situations, there's far more to the story than meets the eye.
The issue was raised in the Mumsnet AIBU (am I being unreasonable?) thread, with the anonymous poster seeking some clarity on the incident.
She explained that she was sat on a table seat while travelling back to her work area after visiting her dad.
We should also point out that a) the train was packed and b) the original poster had recently undergone shoulder surgery.
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"I've got my backpack on the table and my big bag was put up on the top by a lovely man who offered to put it up," she explained.
"We get to the next station and it’s absolutely heaving and a mother with three kids gets on. Everyone files into seats and someone sits opposite me.
"She then approaches and asks if the other two seats are reserved. I said no and she could have them and sat the kids down.
"She then looks and me and says, 'I’ve got three children who need a seat, please can they have yours?'"
The OP stood her ground and said no, explaining to the mum that she's still recovering from surgery and so standing on a packed train would be too painful.
But the mum, who seemingly disregarded the response, then said: "I have three kids though."
Clearly fed up with not being heard, the woman replied: "I’m not particularly bothered by the amount of kids you have but I will be staying in this seat as I need it too.
"If you have any issues please go speak to the train conductor."
In her Mumsnet post, she explained that the look the mum gave her 'could kill', adding: "So AIBU for not moving?
"The original guy who put my bag in the overhead rack ended up telling her to leave me alone as she kept repeating about her three kids. I feel like a cow bag but a justified one!"
It's safe to say most people sided with her, with one pointing out that kids are actually far more able to endure standing than adults.
Another said: "As children, our parents always made us stand on public transport if adults needed a seat. I don't see any reason why that should have changed."
"You were there first, her number of kids is not your problem," added a third. "I assume you couldn't book? If you could, she should have done."
While a fourth chimed in: "Cheeky mare. Especially since you told her that you are recovering from surgery.
"If there were three seats available and yours was the fourth, then the three kids sit on the seats and their mother stands."
After a series of supportive messages, the original poster shared an update, stating: "Okay now I feel a bit better about it... nope couldn’t book it’s literally first come first serve.
"I would say all the kids look about 10 years + and all of them carrying football boots so no reason to need the seat."
Daisy Phillipson