• Thelsim
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    1 year ago

    They: “Hey, can you move your bag? I’d like to sit there.”
    Passenger: “Sure, no problem”
    Or, in my case…
    They: Stand still and give the smallest glance in my direction
    Me: Put my bag on my lap in record time, glance up, smile awkwardly :)

    Seriously, I’m guilty as hell of putting my bag next to me in the train. Mainly because I’m not putting it on the floor together with who knows what kind dirt is lying down there. And It’s awkward to keep it on my lap if it’s not necessary. Of course it’s different when it’s a busy train.

    • li10@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      I mean, I straight up put the bag there so people don’t sit next to me, but if I notice that the place is getting busy enough that someone’s gonna need the seat I’ll move it.

      • Thelsim
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        1 year ago

        You should do the exact opposite if you don’t want anyone to sit next to you though. Keep your bag on your lap and pat the seat next to you invitingly while maintaining eye contact at all time. :)

        • Grass
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          1 year ago

          I’d be concerned about what kind of person would accept the invite when it eventually happens

    • beetus@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      And It’s awkward to keep it on my lap if it’s not necessary.

      I’d like to challenge you on that. Who is it awkward to? Do you look at someone on the train holding their bag and think negatively of them? Are people in your life judging you for how you sit on the train?

      Not trying to suggest you need to change, but it’s not awkward to hold ones belongings.

      It would be awkward if you were gripping it tightly and straining to hold on, sure, but are you doing that?

      • Thelsim
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        1 year ago

        I see what you’re trying to say here. I usually take the train when commuting to work, and my work bag contains my laptop, power brick, notebook, etc. It’s a quite a weight to carry around. So when I have to put it on my lap, it can be physically awkward because I’m limited in how I can place my legs while balancing this weight.

        What I was trying to say with awkward, is a physical awkwardness. Though I guess when I look back at it, inconvenient or uncomfortable might have been a better choice of words. English is not my first language and I sometimes choose the wrong words :)

        Anyway, I don’t really care about what people think of me if I have my bag on my lap.

    • ParsnipWitch@feddit.de
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      1 year ago

      If it’s awkward enough between you and your backpack to not wanting it to sit on top of you something is seriously wrong with your relationship. Do you allow other people to hold your backpack on their lap or do you only touch it when it’s on your back?