State of our trains - is really the passengers?, Dropping standards Options

[On the edge]

I suppose I ought to start with an apology to Biker1. He's always claimed that our local trains are filthy because of the actions of some of the passengers. I've tended to disagree!

Yesterday, I came back from London on one of the Turbo trains. Not exactly a good experience. Train wasn't too full - sitting in bay opposite was a mother with three early teenage children. Wonderful loud conversation, peppered with expletives and punctuated by youthful pushing and shoving. But hey, they were just expressing themselves.

However, and this is the main point, they were each given a meat pie of some description which they started to eat. At least that stilled the conversation. When they'd finished, the wrapper was simply dropped on the floor and they wiped their hands on the seats.

Yes - I did make a comment, which was answered with a torrent of abuse. They left the train at Thatcham. I got out at Newbury, as did an elderly couple opposite me. On leaving the station, both started to smoke. We walked up station approach into the Town and they were bemoaning the rude and disgusting standards of today's youth. As they finished the fags, they were just let drop on the road. The old chap must have read my mind, 'Missed the drain, but it will give the road sweeper something to do'

What hope is there? Those kids haven't got a chance.

[Biker1]

I suppose I ought to start with an apology to Biker1. He's always claimed that our local trains are filthy because of the actions of some of the passengers. I've tended to disagree!

Yesterday, I came back from London on one of the Turbo trains. Not exactly a good experience. Train wasn't too full - sitting in bay opposite was a mother with three early teenage children. Wonderful loud conversation, peppered with expletives and punctuated by youthful pushing and shoving. But hey, they were just expressing themselves.

However, and this is the main point, they were each given a meat pie of some description which they started to eat. At least that stilled the conversation. When they'd finished, the wrapper was simply dropped on the floor and they wiped their hands on the seats.

Yes - I did make a comment, which was answered with a torrent of abuse. They left the train at Thatcham. I got out at Newbury, as did an elderly couple opposite me. On leaving the station, both started to smoke. We walked up station approach into the Town and they were bemoaning the rude and disgusting standards of today's youth. As they finished the fags, they were just let drop on the road. The old chap must have read my mind, 'Missed the drain, but it will give the road sweeper something to do'

What hope is there? Those kids haven't got a chance.

I have seen much worse than that including actually urinating in the vestibule (and yes the toilet was working!).

Also it now seems to be the normal practice to put ones feet on the seat opposite.