Manners on public transport? - you must be having a laugh

I would say I am a patient person, but  some things are guaranteed to really wind me up.

Take yesterday morning for example.

Packed train on the way to work, ok it was on time so I was in a good mood.

But even better,  among  the bustling throng of passengers enjoying an intimacy most married couples would be glad to achieve,  I spotted an apparently unoccupied seat .

I waited, after all it would be rude to just dash over and plonk my derriere without waiting to see if anyone else wanted to sit, maybe someone who had been standing for the past few stops.

But as the train moved off, it stayed empty.

Deeming I had left enough time to be polite, I nudged my way through the crowd, and prepared to be seated for the rest of my journey.

But as I approached,  I noticed the seat was in fact not vacant, it had been claimed by a far more worthy occupier.

An elderly lady whose head was below the height of the headrest hence my assumption it was empty? No.

Neither a pregnant woman resting her weary pins as she struggled into work, she was standing by the door mopping her brow and clinging onto the handrail for support.

No, taking the weight of its weary feet at the expense of a fare-paying customer was a rucksack whose owner sat happily gossiping on his mobile phone next to the window.

I took a look at the bag, and then at him, he continued chatting casting me a glance as if to say “do you mind, I’m busy”.

I looked around at my fellow passengers, but their  faces  had turned to stare at the floor, out of the window, or at their phones.

I held my ground for a good eight seconds, but he was not having any of it, and returned my confused look with another irritated glare that said “Really, I mean it, what do you want?”.

In the end I gave up and moved away, half pretending I hadn’t wanted the seat as I was the one who was feeling embarrassed.

The bloke carried on talking without a care in the world, although by this stage there were a few “tut”s from the others, who shook their heads and rolled their eyes acknowledging my fury.

Now that’s all well and good, but why should I have been the one to walk away red-faced, and apologetic?

This is just another example of the abject rudeness and inconsiderate attitude that is all to common.

How can you sit on a crowded train with your bag taking up a seat and not give a toss about anyone else?

And then have the nerve to stare down anyone who dares to show their displeasure at your ignorance.

When he eventually got off, I was able to sit down, making sure no one else wanted to, I‘m like that you see.

But I promised myself the next time I was confronted with a similar situation I will be the one who emerges victorious, even if I have to throw the damn thing out of the train window.