One of my biggest pet peeves is people who sit in first-class seats without buying a first-class ticket. On our local trains, the first-class seats are identical to the standard-class seats, so the extra money that you pay for a first-class seat is really about guaranteeing that you don’t have to stand. Understandably, those of us who pay for a first-class tickets expect a seat to be available, and we get upset when the seats are seemingly taken by those who haven’t paid for them.

When I jumped on the train yesterday evening, the first-class section was more crowded than normal. A teenager, maybe 14, complete with iPod, hoodie, and schoolbag, was sitting in a first-class seat. My first thought was “I hope a ticket inspector comes through, he can’t possibly have a first-class ticket.” Schoolkids are forever taking seats in first class, much to the annoyance of regular passengers.

My frustration obviously wasn’t unique. Another passenger pointed out to the lad that this was first class, and asked if he had a first-class ticket. He replied that he did, and the other passenger demanded that he show it. The lad basically told him to f*** off, and a scuffle ensued. Which was witnessed by an undercover officer. Who arrested the passenger in question for assaulting the teenager. (Who, it turned out, did have a first-class ticket).

Our train was met by squad cars and uniformed police.

When did life get so stressful?