Passenger startled by ‘disgusting’ act taking place on a train: ‘Wish I had the guts to say something’

New York Post - Apr 5th, 2025
Open on New York Post

An anonymous passenger on an Indian Railways train traveling from Varanasi to Delhi shared a photo on Reddit showing a traveler with their bare feet resting on the tray tables intended for eating. The post, titled “We don’t deserve good things,” sparked a heated discussion online. The Redditor expressed disgust at the behavior, noting that both the traveler and her husband were using empty seats to lounge with their feet up. The post received mixed reactions, with some defending the passengers' behavior due to travel discomfort, while others criticized it as unhygienic and inconsiderate.

The incident highlights differing opinions on travel etiquette and hygiene, especially in public spaces like trains. The original poster lamented the unappreciative behavior toward modern conveniences such as fast trains in India, suggesting that such actions detract from the advancements in public transportation. The debate also touches on cultural expectations and the balance between personal comfort and public decency, raising questions about appropriate behavior in shared environments.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively captures a relatable incident on an Indian Railways train, sparking a broader discussion on public behavior and etiquette. It presents a balanced view by incorporating diverse perspectives from social media, though it relies heavily on an anonymous Reddit post, which affects source quality. The story is clear and engaging, with a logical structure that guides readers through the narrative and reactions. While the topic is timely and of moderate public interest, the article's impact is limited by the absence of authoritative voices or policy discussions. Overall, the article is well-written and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to reflect on their own behavior in public spaces.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story accurately describes an incident on an Indian Railways train where a passenger placed their feet on tray tables, sparking a debate on Reddit. The details about the train route from Varanasi to Delhi and the passenger's reluctance to confront the traveler are consistent and verifiable. The story quotes reactions from Reddit, reflecting a mix of opinions, which aligns with the nature of online discussions. However, the article could improve by verifying the authenticity of the Reddit post and confirming the incident with additional sources. The cultural commentary comparing Indian and Western public behavior is subjective and less verifiable, indicating a slight deviation from strict factual reporting.

8
Balance

The story presents a balanced view by including multiple perspectives from Reddit users, some defending and others criticizing the behavior of the passengers on the train. This range of viewpoints helps to provide a comprehensive picture of the public's reaction to the incident. The article does not exhibit overt favoritism towards any particular perspective, allowing readers to form their own opinions. However, the story could enhance balance by including expert opinions or official statements from Indian Railways to provide additional context on public etiquette and policies.

8
Clarity

The article is clear and straightforward, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the incident, reactions, and broader cultural commentary. The language is accessible, and the structure effectively separates the narrative from the social media reactions. The tone remains neutral, allowing readers to interpret the information without bias. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more background on the cultural norms and expectations of behavior on Indian trains, which would help readers unfamiliar with the context better understand the significance of the incident.

6
Source quality

The primary source of information is an anonymous Reddit post, which raises concerns about credibility and reliability. While Reddit can offer genuine insights, the anonymity of the source limits the ability to verify the claims independently. The article references Newsweek, which adds some credibility, but it would benefit from additional authoritative sources, such as statements from Indian Railways or cultural experts, to strengthen the reporting. The reliance on social media commentary, while reflective of public opinion, does not provide the depth of analysis that more authoritative sources could offer.

7
Transparency

The article is transparent about its reliance on a Reddit post and includes direct quotes from the original poster and other users. This openness allows readers to understand the basis of the claims made in the story. However, the article lacks detailed context about the methodology used to gather these comments and does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest. Greater transparency could be achieved by clarifying the process of selecting comments and providing more background on the cultural context of the incident.

Sources

  1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/vande-bharat-passenger-sleeps-with-foot-on-snack-tray-iras-officer-reacts-101703600413672.html
  2. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=369658http%3A%2F%2Facecomments.mu.nu%2F%3Fpost%3D369658
  3. https://www.news18.com/viral/lack-of-civic-sense-internet-questions-passengers-foot-on-tray-photo-in-train-aa-9285336.html
  4. http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=371194http%3A%2F%2Facecomments.mu.nu%2F%3Fpost%3D371194
  5. https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/viral-pic-of-woman-putting-feet-on-train-armrest-table-sparks-debate-on-civic-sense-in-india-2703387-2025-04-03