Two controversial acts caught in one photo on Sydney train

Are either of these controversial train acts acceptable? Social media users are arguing why one is and the other is absolutely not.

It has got to be one of the most debated things in Sydney – public transport etiquette.

Last week, social media argued about whether it was acceptable for this person to leave their bag on a not-so-popular train seat. Now, it is feet on the seat and sitting on the stairs.

A Reddit user has captured a double-whammy, with both controversial acts in one picture.

“Which annoys you more?” they wrote.

The photo showed a woman slumped on the top step, while another person sat with a foot up on the seat next to her.

“Unpopular opinion, but I don’t see very much wrong with sitting on the stairs as long as it’s only when the train is moving and you are watching out and stand up for anybody trying to get past,” one person replied, attracting 2100 likes/upvotes.

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This image has sparked a heated discussion online about train etiquette. Picture: Reddit/ u/imapassenger1

Many pointed out the woman could have an invisible disability and shared their own experiences.

“Some people might also have medical reasons for needing to sit – speaking from experience it can be rough getting public transport during peak hour with an invisible disability,” one person explained.

“I always used to sit on the stairs on the way home if there were no other options, my invisible illness can result in terrible hip pain. I’d always get up to let people pass, of course,” another agreed.

“So many times I had to sit on the stairs or I’d be crying in pain,” someone else added.

The foot on the seat however, was universally shamed and described as “infuriating”.

A man who recently moved to Sydney shared this picture asking if it was normal to leave a bag on a seat on the metro train.Picture: Reddit

“Feet on the seat does my head in. I just sit on their legs, they move soon enough,” one person suggested.

“Feet on seats is the rudest thing, always,” said another.

“Shoe on seat is gross. A tired person resting on the stairs while the train is moving doesn’t bother me at all,” added a third.

Others pointed it was “disrespectful” and “cruel” for an older man who was standing in the picture to have not been offered a seat.