An old couple called the conductor and apologized profusely a minute after I had refused to give up my seat to them.
I knew it was a real luxury to reserve a window seat for a 12-hour daytime train travel. But if I was going to travel for half a day, I figured I should at least be comfortable. I paid extra for a specific window seat in a quiet car so I could read or nap in solitude, lean against the wall, and take in the view.
I boarded and settled in with a pleasant sense of anticipation—a long journey lay ahead. As I was getting settled, an elderly couple approached me. The woman, who appeared to be in her seventies, leaned toward me and smiled broadly:
Sorry, but is it possible for us to switch seats? My husband would really enjoy sitting by the window. Our seats are on the opposite side of the aisle, but he enjoys taking in the view.
I looked at the man. He didn’t say anything; he just stared at me.
I’m not heartless. I am aware of how comfortable it is to sit close to the window. I wasn’t just sitting there doing nothing because I had paid for that seat. I politely stated, since I didn’t want to move:
I’m sorry, but I’d much rather stay seated. I specifically reserved it.
The woman averted her gaze a little and her smile faded.
I felt as though someone was observing me, as though I had done something improperly. The other people in the train started whispering to each other. A few seconds later, the woman called the conductor.
“She wouldn’t switch seats,” the woman replied, nodding at me.
The conductor looked at me and the two of us before responding sharply.
Separate reservations are required for window seats. There is nothing I can do about it. You should have taken into account the fact that you didn’t pay for it sooner rather than attempting to pressure someone into switching. There is no requirement for the young lady to move.
When the pair remained silent, the conductor departed. I felt a strange mix of regret and irritation. All I had done wrong was not relinquish something that was rightfully mine. Why should I feel awful about that?
An hour later, I noticed that the man was looking at his phone while the woman was reading. They didn’t look at me again.
