from NY Times: Cordially or Not Cordially?

[guest in the west]

Have never seen this on Surfliners but maybe it's a NEC problem with more stressed business people on board?

Tangled Up and Blue

Twice recently I have sat in the window seat on an Amtrak train. Another person has taken the aisle seat and plugged a cellphone or laptop into the outlet beneath the window and laid the cords across my lap — without so much as a word to me about it. Both times, I objected and asked the people to move their cords. And in both cases, the people freaked out. (I’m not kidding.) Am I in the wrong here?

Christina, Brooklyn

Good to know that Amtrak runs an express train to hell. If right and wrong are your sole concern, fear not, Christina. You are the big winner. But if you are interested in diminishing these unpleasantness cord encounters (and that would be the point of manners here), may I suggest a few anti-freak-out possibilities?

Next time, say: “Would you care to switch seats? I don’t want the cord on my lap.” Or, if you want to keep your window seat, try a friendly, “Can we rearrange this cord so I don’t get all tangled up.” (Of course, an evil genius would plug her hair dryer into the outlet the second she sat down and avoid the whole kerfuffle.) Remember: Even though these folks are being aggressive, you may be stuck with them for several hours.

link to full article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/fashion/The-Bigger-Picture-social-qs.html?ref=todayspaper

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

This does say a lot about how bad society has become when people cannot pack away the electronics and relax for an hour or 2.

 

[boxcarsyix]

I grew up in the Northeast and aave lived in California for the past 40 years. People are different in the two places. I would be suprised to hear that story on the Surfliner, but I'm not supised to hear it on the NEC. Good advice though.

 

[afigg]

I have never had that happen to me on the NEC. If I have the window seat and the person in the aisle seat wants to plug in their power cord or adapter, they have always asked me to plug it for them. I run the wire to their smartphone or laptop under my legs in that case. Maybe I look crankier than Christina, so those who need the plug ask, rather than lean across me. :giggle:

 

[Shanghai]

Reminds me of people who want an aisle seat on a long distance flight then complain when they must

let the person in the window seat pass by to go to the bathroom!!

 

[zepherdude]

I would have asked if I might hook up power first. I would never to presume to cross into your space. I agree it is a sad commentary we cannot live with out our toys. It is only polite to ask first. I realize that the power is for both persons in a seat, but just to presume is what I call pretty rude. The other sad commentary is that that person could not get up enough guts to speak to you. Maybe I am wrong but I would still ask if it was ok. Last time I was on the train, there was a cool dude getting off not far and my cell phone was really short on life. I waited until he left and charged my phone.

Last 2 times flying, my neighbors did not utter one word to me. One dude was hung over and slept the whole time. The other was just too good to speak to me. I don't care, I had a better movie on my laptop.

 

[rickycourtney]

Interestingly here in California the bi-level cars have only one outlet per seat pair. Most people are rather polite and share the outlet with their seatmate (whoever has the lower battery usually gets the right of way!) That being said... I have seen a few times people when a person got a little pissy when they're asked to unplug so someone else can use the outlet for a while.

 

[amamba]

The outlet belongs to both folks in the seat pair - aisle and window. However, the aisle person should ask the window person to plug in the device and to place the cord where it is comfortable for them.

It is absurd to say "put away the electronics" for two hours. Many ppl need to work on the train on the NEC.

 

[SarahZ]

The outlet belongs to both folks in the seat pair - aisle and window. However, the aisle person should ask the window person to plug in the device and to place the cord where it is comfortable for them.
It is absurd to say "put away the electronics" for two hours. Many ppl need to work on the train on the NEC.

This. If my cell phone is losing juice, I'm charging it. I'd ask first, of course, and make sure they wouldn't be bothered, but it's equally rude to deny outlet access to the aisle seat. On top of that, the NEC is full of commuters who are most likely working, not just playing Angry Birds.

 

[Texan Eagle]

This does say a lot about how bad society has become when people cannot pack away the electronics and relax for an hour or 2.

No, all it does say is that this forum has delusional retired folks who do not understand the fact that people on Amtrak are not all leisure tourists and have jobs that requires them to be on their electronic device when commuting.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

This does say a lot about how bad society has become when people cannot pack away the electronics and relax for an hour or 2.

No, all it does say is that this forum has delusional retired folks who do not understand the fact that people on Amtrak are not all leisure tourists and have jobs that requires them to be on their electronic device when commuting.

Now I am far from retired and do not let electronics rule my life!

 

[MattW]

I don't let electronics rule my life either, but they make things so much easier. That's one reason I want to move to an area with greater transit access. I want my time to be productive. It's also one of the main arguments I use when talking about expanded rail service. "Sure, a flight can get you A to B in 3 hours total invested time, but you only get maybe 20 minutes to be productive. On a train that takes 4 hours total invested time, you get, about 3 hours to be productive." Maybe that hour or two spent on the train not relaxing, means that person has time to relax at home with their family.

 

[NE933]

This can be a fantastic ice breaker: "Pardon, would it be ok if I just get under your legs to run my cord to the outlet?"

Or, "Can I place this wire in between...." hmmm

 

[Texan Eagle]

This does say a lot about how bad society has become when people cannot pack away the electronics and relax for an hour or 2.

No, all it does say is that this forum has delusional retired folks who do not understand the fact that people on Amtrak are not all leisure tourists and have jobs that requires them to be on their electronic device when commuting.

Now I am far from retired and do not let electronics rule my life!

What makes you eligible to generalize that anyone using a laptop or cellphone on a predominantly business-folk oriented train is letting electronics rule their life? The train has a comfortable seat, wifi, power outlets.. that's as good a time as any to finish on some work, nothing wrong on that. For all you know, the person "letting electronics rule his life" is actually finishing his work on the train so that once he reaches home he can spend quality time with family and kids. No need to get preachy and judgmental about what other folks do on a train.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

This does say a lot about how bad society has become when people cannot pack away the electronics and relax for an hour or 2.

No, all it does say is that this forum has delusional retired folks who do not understand the fact that people on Amtrak are not all leisure tourists and have jobs that requires them to be on their electronic device when commuting.

Now I am far from retired and do not let electronics rule my life!

What makes you eligible to generalize that anyone using a laptop or cellphone on a predominantly business-folk oriented train is letting electronics rule their life? The train has a comfortable seat, wifi, power outlets.. that's as good a time as any to finish on some work, nothing wrong on that. For all you know, the person "letting electronics rule his life" is actually finishing his work on the train so that once he reaches home he can spend quality time with family and kids. No need to get preachy and judgmental about what other folks do on a train.

No need to waste time arguing with someone like this

 

[SubwayNut]

Reminds me of a situation a few months ago:

I was riding a Regional from NYP-New Rochelle, it was part of one of my multi-day multi-segment additions to a trip I was already planning to take to earn those extra AGR Points, hence the sort segment. I boarded early (not through the Exit Concourse, I was heading down there but because the train was late and for once they announced boarding would be from both the West and East Gates and I was standing by the west gate when everyone had already been told the East Gate). I snagged a window seat and was joined by a businesswomen who immediately apologized asking me to plug her laptop, and complained about why Amtrak can't install them in aisle seats as well. She then spent my entire ride sitting next to her (after we got out of the East River tunnels) making a business phone call using one of the most quiet voices I've heard in a long time on the phone (I could hear every word of it but don't think anyone else can).

I can't think of anyone every blatantly putting a cord across my feet without asking me. I would have a similar reaction if they reached over we saying something like "Can you ask first?"

 

[MiRider]

I never work on the train because well, I don't work, but I want my outlet!

I always have my toys with me and I like using them when I want, I don't care what anyone thinks about what I'm doing or why.

When I'm on the train, I'm plugged in so that I can save my battery for those times without power.

I always travel with an extension cord so no cords are hanging anywhere.

It's long enough to put under the seats in front of me, then I can put it in the seat pocket - very convenient.

If I'm in a window seat on the Pere Marquette, I plug it in so the aisle seat has easy access right at the their seat.

If I'm in the aisle seat, I'll ask the window seat person to plug it in for me or do it myself.

 

[amamba]

This does say a lot about how bad society has become when people cannot pack away the electronics and relax for an hour or 2.

No, all it does say is that this forum has delusional retired folks who do not understand the fact that people on Amtrak are not all leisure tourists and have jobs that requires them to be on their electronic device when commuting.

Now I am far from retired and do not let electronics rule my life!

Well bully for you that you have a job that does not required an electronic leash. Some of us are not so lucky. My H is in IT and he needs to be on practically 24/7. When the server goes down and email is broken - or god forbid the main website - he has to fix it.

 

[benjibear]

First, the person may be on longer than 2 hours.

Second, even if it is not for work, who cares. The last movie I saw was when I was on the train. With work pressure in today's business world, even time to relax and watch a movie is a rarity for me.

Third, I am sure when the old timers on this board were younger, the old timers at that time didn't understand the need for things you used when you were younger.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Disclaimer: I am retired and dont have to be in touch with anyone or anywhere when I travel, I do have a Smart Phone (but the Operator is Dumb!) and it comes in handy sometimes when there is Service! ( I live in Flyover Country!)

That being said, to each his own but my old Grandpappy (cue the Maverick theme!) used to tell me that "When someone was on their death bed they never said I wish I'd spent more time at work!" I feel sorry for people that have 24/7 jobs and feel compelled to be a bird on a wire with work! Back in Ancient times only Doctors, First Responders and the President had to be connected 24/7!

My thought is that if you dont have one of these jobs you should be able to relax when traveling, all work and no relaxation make for constant stress and eventual burnout which is no way to live! Me, Id get another job before I lived like this, life is too short to spend most of it worrying about work, a place that really doesnt care a whit about you! I remember what President Johnson said in his farewell speech in Washington: "I'm going back to Texas where they know when you're sick and care when you die!" YMMV

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

Disclaimer: I am retired and dont have to be in touch with anyone or anywhere when I travel, I do have a Smart Phone (but the Operator is Dumb!) and it comes in handy sometimes when there is Service! ( I live in Flyover Country!)
That being said, to each his own but my old Grandpappy (cue the Maverick theme!) used to tell me that "When someone was on their death bed they never said I wish I'd spent more time at work!" I feel sorry for people that have 24/7 jobs and feel compelled to be a bird on a wire with work! Back in Ancient times only Doctors, First Responders and the President had to be connected 24/7!

My thought is that if you dont have one of these jobs you should be able to relax when traveling, all work and no relaxation make for constant stress and eventual burnout which is no way to live! Me, Id get another job before I lived like this, life is too short to spend most of it worrying about work, a place that really doesnt care a whit about you! I remember what President Johnson said in his farewell speech in Washington: "I'm going back to Texas where they know when you're sick and care when you die!" YMMV

WELL SAID JIM! Sooners and Longhorns can indeed sometimes agree :lol:

 

[tonys96]

Oh. hell, folks, this is not about being tethered to a laptop, it is simply about common courtesy. Who reaches across in front of someone sitting down for any purpose, without first asking? Inconsiderate morons are all that can come to my mind......

 

[Bob Dylan]

Oh. hell, folks, this is not about being tethered to a laptop, it is simply about common courtesy. Who reaches across in front of someone sitting down for any purpose, without first asking? Inconsiderate morons are all that can come to my mind......

Unfortunately tony now a days there are lots of folks without manners!

 

[amamba]

Another assumption is just bc you are on call you are worrying about work.

At the end of the day, common courtesy should rule here and the aisle folks should check with the window folks. But it is easy for others to say "don't work so much" or "get a new job." Sadly life doesn't always work that way and it ignores the fact that many ppl using the train on the NEC need to work while on board.

 

[rrdude]

This does say a lot about how bad society has become when people cannot pack away the electronics and relax for an hour or 2.

No, all it does say is that this forum has delusional retired folks who do not understand the fact that people on Amtrak are not all leisure tourists and have jobs that requires them to be on their electronic device when commuting.

Ouch!