‘Edgers’ are the cheeky commuters invading the National Rail network

It’s the latest annoying commuter habit (Picture: Getty Images)

It’s early, and you’re standing on the platform regretting not working from home. When the train finally arrives it’s rammed.

You squeeze on and quickly scan the seats and all are full – except for one. 

There’s a free space by the window. But someone’s already sitting in the aisle seat, avoiding eye contact at all costs.

You’re left with an awkward decision, do you ask them to budge up? Or do you just accept defeat and stand up for the next 30 minutes?

So common is this conundrum, that these commuter criminals now have a name: the edgers. 

Edgers have been annoying people for years (Picture: Getty Images)

Relax, it’s not what you think. It’s a perfectly innocent term coined by Metro to describe the people who deliberately sit in the aisle seat and leave the window seat empty, even as the train or bus starts to fill up.

And it’s been annoying people for years.

‘There seems to be an epidemic of people choosing to sit on the aisle side of a bus or train leaving the window seat free. Is it just me or is this quite a weird thing to do?’ one user asked on Mumsnet back in 2018.

‘They probably think that people are less likely to sit next to them but once the bus/ train fills up all the seats fill up so people have to squeeze past them to get on.’

TikTok user @hanasimpson95 brought the debate to the platform recently. She asked her followers: ‘Genuine question (no hate): Those of you who sit in the aisle seat on a full bus/ train and leave the window seat open. Why?’

Some commuters had their reasons.

‘I hate the feeling of being boxed in. If I see someone eyeing the other spot, I’ll gladly move aside and let them get to it, but I won’t personally go sit there,’ one wrote.

Others were far less thoughtful. ‘Don’t like people sitting beside me, it’s a subtle deterrence,’ one wrote.

Another added: ‘I am selfish and hoping if it’s getting full they’ll sit next to someone else first.’ At least they’re honest, hey?

But plenty of commenters weren’t having it. User @yesanastasia wrote: ‘So many people think they’re the only people who like their personal space. No one likes it but public transport is a shared space, so sometimes you just have to share.’

Another @forgetful_lucy wrote: ‘I totally understand people have their reasons but at the same time if a bus is full and there are NO other seats why can’t people just move it’s so selfish to make ppl stand for a bit of extra space.’

Meanwhile @elizabeth__c_ said: ‘If I’m only going a couple stops I’ll do this. But not for a long journey. I never understood it either.’

There are plenty of irritating commuter types who make the journey from bed to desk more excruciating. 

We’ve already told you about double-baggers, who take one seat for themselves and another for their bag, and barebackers, who endure the commute without Airpods or any other form of entertainment.

Not to mention ‘bare beaters’ – the infuriating passengers who watch videos or listen to music from their phones without any headphones. 

When will the general public learn?

So, how can you deal with an edger?

Generally, the most polite thing to do if you encounter a seat edger is ask them to move up. Try asking directly but nicely. Most people will shift over without a fuss, even if they’re secretly annoyed. 

If you don’t fancy your chances, you can either find another seat or just let it go. But try not to get sucked into passive aggressive staring matches – no one wins, and it will probably set you off for a bad day.

And, if you are the edger? Unless you’re getting off at the next stop, or have a genuine reason to sit in the aisle seat, maybe consider scooching up. Or at the very least, look up and acknowledge the poor person standing next to you, desperate to sit down. 

You might like your space, but so does everybody else. And we’re all stuck on the crowded commute together.  

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