Getting on public transport can sometimes be a little daunting, especially when you're on your own.
Sometimes, to prevent people from sitting next to you, if you're on a train and it's relatively empty, you may want to pop your bag down on the seat beside you to ensure nobody plonks themself in your sacred personal space.
But if the train is busy, you'll likely face dirty looks and even comments from fellow passengers who may want the luxury of sitting down too.
One woman has shared an awkward "altercation" she recently had on a train, admitting that a man had confronted her about putting her bag down - and she wasn't happy.
The 23-year-old woman took to Reddit to vent about the situation, writing: "I ride the train home from work regularly. It's usually pretty empty but on Friday it was busy for some reason.
"When I got on, it was empty so I took a seat and put my bag next to me. Within a few stops, a lot more people got on and some people had to stand. There was a crowd of older men standing near my seat.
"I have been harassed by men on the train numerous times, and I was in no mood to let someone try to strike up a conversation or hit on me, so I left my bag on the seat next to me."
She then explained it would have been a different story if there was a woman wanting to sit next to her, however.
She continued: "If there had been a woman standing I would have gladly given her the seat, but I didn't want a creepy guy next to me.
"I'll spare you the details of the altercation, but basically, a man told me 'you know people are standing, you should move your bag' and someone else told him to mind his own business. This led to an argument and an employee had to get involved."
The woman was moved to a different seat so others could sit there, but people weren't happy with her initial actions.
In the comments, people were saying that the woman was in the wrong for putting her bag on the seat - with one woman giving her advice on how to feel safe when getting public transport.
"If you're taking a seat up with your bag and there are no other available seats, you're the a**hole", one bluntly wrote.
Another said: "If you don't want 'creepy' men sitting next to you, Uber or organise private transportation."
Someone fumed: "If they're older, then you should at least consider giving up your seat as well. Not that you've specified how old they are, but we were always taught basic manners as kids, and that included giving up your seat to those who needed it more than you."
One woman shared how she feels safer on public transport, writing: "Here's what I've learned to do as a woman so I don't end up feeling trapped by a creep:
Sit in the aisle seat
If it's quiet, put my bag on the inner seat
If it starts to fill up, move my bag, stay on the outer seat
As it gets busy, offer the inner seat to someone who looks like they need it, or someone I would feel comfortable next to (this means I've picked who I'm sitting with, instead of chance)
If my stop is soon or no one fits the "I'm comfortable sitting next to them", get up and go stand somewhere.
"It's not fair that we have to strategize for our comfort and safety, but it's also not fair to take up two seats when there are people who want to sit. You can stay safe and stand for a bit so more people get a chance to rest."
Do you think it's unreasonable to put a bag on the seat next to you on public transport? Let us know in the comments.
