Girl guide’s standing order a big letdown

MY mother and I boarded the 7am Cork-to-Dublin train at Limerick Junction at 7.56 on a Saturday morning last month.

The train was full — standing room only. My mother saw a vacant seat, asked if it was taken and, as it was, she said she would sit there until the occupant returned, as passengers are often in the dining carriage and may not return for some time.

After about 30 minutes, a young girl guide approached and, as she did so, her unit leader went over and in a very abrupt and rude manner asked my mother to vacate the seat.