Yesterday was a good day, considering that I was down to London and back in the same day.
Ten hours on the train all in all, for the sake of a giving a two hour presentation seems a bit mad, but I quite enjoy London, even if it is only a fleeting visit. The sheer crush of the tube and the busy streets kind of bugs me but I must admit, I find the underground fascinating and really enjoy travelling on it.
On the train back to Edinburgh last night, the guy opposite me asked if he could have one of my napkins. This started a conversation where we discussed our respective reasons for being in London (he was visiting his elderly mother) and we had a good old chat about our jobs etc.
Problem was, the conversation started at York. With the best will in the world, two strangers on a train are going to struggle to keep the conversation alive for the remaining two and a half hours to Edinburgh. The desire just isn’t there. By the time Newcastle came we’d discussed everything from screen reader software to the lighthouse on the Isle of May.
My question is, at what point is it polite to return to your book or iPod? I didn’t want to be rude, but at the same time I wanted to relax. We ended up coming to an uneasy standoff where he went to the buffet car for a cuppa (very kindly offering to buy me one) and when he returned I was up to my ears in music on the iPod.
An awkward “nice to speak to you” rounded it off at Waverley station but it’s the modern travellers eternal question. All over the country, people spend their journeys to work trying to avoid vague acquaintances at bus stops just so they can have a bit of quiet time in the mornings rather than have to make inane small talk.
Personally I think we need to be more direct.
“Beat it you. I’m reading. Nice to see you though.”
0 Comments on “When does a conversation on a train become a pain in the arse?”
Leave a Comment