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Real life

The complicated etiquette of the empty train seat

30 November 2024

9:00 AM

30 November 2024

9:00 AM

The empty train seat looked inviting, and all three of us stared at it, then looked away, not daring to either take it, or offer it to the other. This train from Clapham Junction to Surrey was absolutely packed. But when someone got up and there was a seat right next to me, I realised that under the prevailing conventions relating to equality, I could neither take it nor offer it.

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