Bloody students: The 10 things that annoy me about the morning train

Amy McDonald is a journalism student at Glasgow Caledonian University, lover of rose wine and a bit of a drama queen.

Over the past couple of months my days have consisted of making my way into town for my summer job.  Form of transport- train.  Something which I have lived to regret since the day I purchased my monthly ticket.  To let off some steam I thought I would list the 10 things I despise about the morning train, after all, I cannot be the only irritated commuter, right?

 1. Those who insist on taking the middle seat.  I always manage to strategically place myself on a seat that does not invade too much personal space of another traveller however I have discovered not everyone thinks like me.  The person who squeezes in between me and another stranger while knocking me with their bag and nearly pushing me out of my own seat.  Not good.

2. There’s always that one person that doesn’t quite manage to nab a seat.  They then spend the rest of the journey watching you sitting very comfortably in your seat as if they want some sympathy- or even a cuddle.  No thanks!

3. Why would anyone read a broadsheet newspaper on a busy morning routine?  Going to work with a black eye was never part of my plan.

4. The rowdy school children who have yet to learn some manners and realise that morning time, is quiet time.

5. Listen pal, if I can be bothered to have a wash in the morning and put some deodorant on then so can you.  You’d think once you get to a certain age people would learn about personal hygiene.

6. The ones who do not understand the concept of headphones and instead are happy to let the whole train hear their morning rave blasting out tunes that, quite frankly, are not to anyone’s taste (cue disapproving looks with strangers who also feel this way).

7. A rather hilarious antic I quite like watching on the train is when fellow commuters stare at their phones with a massive smile.  It doesn’t take a genius to work out they are smiling at a morning text from a loved one.  It melts my heart, and then I look at my phone- “MUM:  Amy, pick up milk and digestive biscuits on the way home from work X.”  What a way to brighten up my morning, not!

8. Cyclists.  I think some cyclists think that because they have a bike in tow it gives them the automatic right to be rude and push past everyone to get on the train first.  They then spend a few minutes (which seems like eternity) finding a suitable place to sit the bike and in the process holding the whole train up as a queue of angry commuters gather behind them.  My advice- leave your bike at home please.

9.  This hasn’t happened to me personally but it is something I witness every morning which does not impress me in the slightest.  It’s a busy train and a commuter stands up to get off at the next stop.  Does anyone let them past?  That would be a no.  And people say Scottish people are meant to be friendly.

10.  Lastly, I don’t think a lot of people have comprehended the fact that a phone call is a private conversation between you and the person who is calling. I can’t stand those who insist on talking so loud on the phone that even the furthest away carriage can hear their conversation.  Listen, I don’t care that wee Jack is having his P7 photos taken and Linda needs to make more of an effort with you.

Rant over.

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