A recent Reddit post ignited a heated discussion about train etiquette and personal safety. A 23-year-old woman, posting under the username "Illustrious–Sink–768," shared her experience on a crowded commuter train, where she chose to keep her bag on the adjacent seat rather than offer it to standing passengers, specifically men. She explained that the train was initially empty, allowing her to place her bag next to her. However, as more passengers boarded, including a group of older men, she opted not to move her bag. The woman cited previous instances of harassment on public transport as her reason for wanting to avoid sitting next to a man. She stated she would have offered the seat to a woman, but felt uncomfortable with the possibility of a man sitting beside her. The situation escalated when a male passenger confronted her about occupying the seat while others were standing. Another passenger intervened, defending the woman's choice. Eventually, a train employee became involved and moved the woman to a handicapped seat. The woman's post on the "Am I the A--hole" subreddit garnered numerous responses, with many users criticizing her actions. Commenters argued that on crowded public transport, seats should be prioritized for passengers, not belongings. They also pointed out that her preemptive action based on the gender of the standing passengers was unfair and discriminatory. Some users, however, expressed understanding for her concerns, acknowledging the prevalence of harassment women face on public transport.
