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I finally cracked on a Merseyrail train when I saw what another passenger was doing

On Tuesday morning, it all got too much for me

[Political Editor Liam Thorp on a Merseyrail train]

Political Editor Liam Thorp on a Merseyrail train(Image: Liam Thorp)

ECHO Political Editor Liam Thorp discusses his experience of anti-social behaviour on a train ride this week

• There is a chance that as I approach the latter years of my 30s, and as the stress of having two children under the age of three tears away at what is left of my sunny disposition, I am becoming a bit of a grump.
• But that issue pales into insignificance in the blood-boiling ranks when compared with what appears to be a worrying and rising trend in public places. I can't be the only one who has noticed more and more people thinking it is absolutely fine to blast loud music or videos from their phones on public transport, or to have very loud conversations on loudspeaker in such settings. What is going on?
• On numerous recent occasions, during my commutes to and from work on the Merseyrail network, I have found myself becoming increasingly enraged by those who, for some reason, believe the whole packed carriage should listen to whatever they are listening to.
• Well on Tuesday morning it all got too much for me. I had what fans of nineties films might call a minor 'Falling Down' moment.
• As I prepared to get stuck into the book I am currently reading, I noticed a blaring noise coming from just behind me. It soon became apparent that a man was blasting out music from his phone - a lot.
• This was not just any music, but heavy metal. With no offence intended to metal fans everywhere, these particular tunes were about the last thing I needed to hear at this early point in my day.
• As the din continued, I glanced around and clearly others were as irritated as me. I looked from furrowed brow to scowling face and realised that while annoyed, no one was in the mood to say anything.
• But maybe the fact I was already a little stressed out from going head over heels on the pavement an hour earlier, and like a young Michael Douglas, I finally cracked.
• I asked the man who was casually cranking out Metallica to all corners of the carriage if he didn't have headphones he could use - like everyone else who was choosing to listen to music on the train.
• He said he didn't. I asked if that therefore meant we all had to hear what he was listening to. He repeated that he didn't have headphones. I pointed out that his actions were a little anti-social.
• As I moved to another part of the train, I am fairly certain he turned the tunes down or off altogether. He hadn't reacted especially badly or aggressively to my questions and maybe he simply hadn't realised the impact his actions were having.
• But I am glad I spoke up, largely for the knowing nods of respect I got from some around me. Not all heroes wear capes, some are exasperated, portly regional journalists, I told myself.
• So what can be done about this practice when there isn't an irritable dad-of-two around to make the point? Well the issue has become so prevalent that some have even suggested legislating against it.
• READ THE FULL STORY: Why I confronted a man on the train over annoying new trend